UPDATE: We’ve received word that the ban does not apply to all venues in Bloomington; only venues owned and regulated by the city will be affected. While the situation isn’t as bad as we initially thought, this is still a major deterrent. If you want to help revoke the ban, you can sign a petition against it here.
Sad news, bassheads: the state of Illinois is continuing to fight EDM’s popularity tooth and nail by banning any events related to electronic music in all venues within the city of Bloomington. In addition to a similar ban on Chicago’s Congress Theater, which has hosted numerous artists from across the electronic spectrum, this is a massive blow to the Illinois electronic community. 
At the top of the list of people disgruntled by this decision is none other than Lorin Ashton AKA Bassnectar. This year would have marked his 4th annual appearance in Bloomington, which is always a massive event that draws fans from all over the state. Bassnectar himself has stated that it’s one of his favorite shows to play each year and he is extremely saddened by the town’s decision to expel any and all forms of electronic music. Apparently, the decision was based almost solely on the amount of drug related hospitalizations and arrests surrounding the event. This hits pretty hard for me; EDM is such a powerful outlet for creativity and the community is so open-hearted. It’s insane to me that this music is being denied to its listeners because of a heavily stereotyped image of electronic culture, OUR culture, as a drug fueled horror show. And this is hardly the first time it has happened; my own town of Santa Cruz, CA placed extremely restrictive noise ordinances on it’s major venues to discourage & prevent Bassnectar and other major artists from performing here.
Fortunately, Lorin is making things up to his loyal following by adding a special Halloween event in the nearby town of Peoria. However, there’s a larger issue here that we must consider: how far is too far when it comes to ‘drug awareness’? Safety is paramount when it comes to events like this, of course, but there should be limits to what measures can be taken. Cutting off an entire community’s access to a beloved part of their life is a step that’s entirely uncalled for when there are clearly more progressive options to be considered. What do you think of all this? Let us know in the comments and check out the full lineup for Bassnectar‘s Halloween party below.
[Source: thissongslaps.com]
The ban is only for the city owned venue in Bloomington Il, not the whole town. That would be unconstitutional and probably cause a lawsuit. As it stands, the city has the right to choose what music and sports they have at the venue that they own and there is nothing anyone can do about it. If the kids in Bloomington didn’t want this to happen they should have been more respectful to the venue. The massive amount of drug arrest and medical issues would make any venue owner worry, but a city owned venue must hold themselves to a higher standard. I disagree with the choice, but its theirs to make. Maybe if the people that were going to these shows were more interested in the music than the drugs we wouldn’t have these kind of issues popping up. As for social media making this sound like the whole town is banning EDM, well that’s the internet for ya, gotta blow things outta proportion.
This is like some footloose shit haha
It’s all to blame on those stupid kids that take Molly any die at shows. If you need drugs to enjoy this music you don’t belong end of story.
Demonizing the “chemical” element of a particular community has been a tried and true approach by the media. Jazz, rock-n-roll, and punk rock all faced the wrath of negative exploits. I’m certain people go to these electronic events with potentially very different mindsets and attitudes towards creative recreation. I see two paths. One involves sending the scene back underground, which is essentially impossible because of the global commercial viability and interconnectedness of the world via the internet and social media. The second involves society getting their heads out of their asses and approaching drug use as a health or a social issue instead of a strictly criminal one. Education and adulterant testing are extremely responsible approaches. As for banning EDM in venues, towns, and such…it may be improbable and definitely 1984-esque but I’m sure collusion in government, on the local level, could come together in such a way that would make it impossible for the scene to proliferate. Just imposing an outrageous tax and having event insurance impossible to get would shut most attempts down. Considering it’s the music that unites us, it’s beyond laffable that it’s what’s driving some of us apart.
if you have attended a bassnectar show, you are aware its not edm 1,2,3 everybody fucking jump bullshit
There was a movie with Kevin Bacon about this right?
You can’t cut off a part of a good majority of people’s lives that inspired and created who they are! No matter what you do people will find a way to sneak drugs or what ever into any concert! So why only put a ban on EDM when at rap concerts like lil Wayne they have weed and country concerts or festivals like country thunder they have alcohol! It’s not fair if your banning one you should ban them all!
Hell yeah, @Jay Kaye, I was there in ’13 n he threw down hard! It was the best New Year’s Eve show I’ve ever seen!!!
You can’t ban love for EDM…or music in general, that goes even further past being unconstitutional!
Meanwhile Bloomington Minnesota gets ready for safe in sound at the myth in St. Paul
You can’t stop the Rave. Don’t try to fight it Bloomington Illinois. Join the family.
Wow crazy man I had no idea that laws like that existed ….
Seriously, does anybody really mind??? Organize some parties in a city just down the road, Apparently Bloomington doesn’t want your money…. You can’t even find it on Google without adding Illinois to it, it’s that small…
Really sad news, but for what reason?
I think this ban is incorrect.