Article: 2010 Trends | The Mayans didn't see this coming

photo by Venom Fotograff

Future sounds of Chicago

Here’s what’s in store for nightlife in 2010.

By Joshua P. Ferguson

Originally published in Time Out Chicago magazine | 12.17.09

TOC | 2010: Nightlife Predictions

While deejaying used to be an elite art for diehard enthusiasts with a seemingly endless record collection, digital technology now has changed the nightlife game. Budding DJs and producers can try their hand with a couple hundred bucks and an iTunes account. Sure, technological advances have diversified the scene, but while the raw talent of the MySpace generation has an easier time making it big, an army of lackluster wanna-bes has also flooded the market, watering down the music and the scene. So, with both ends of this spectrum in mind, we talked with some of Chicago’s most forward-thinking DJs, promoters and tastemakers to get their predictions for where the club scene is headed.

For a while, it seemed Chicago’s nightlife was going to remain impervious to the country’s economic woes. No such luck. “A lot of our better venues have closed recently,” says Shreyas Shah, founder of local cultural promotions company Good for Party. “On top of that, venues that have been open for a while aren’t what they used to be, and many of the new ones haven’t delivered on their hype.” With highbrow institutions like Sonotheque and Lava closing or closed, and spots like the Shrine and Zentra vying for mainstream appeal, outlets for cutting-edge DJs are seriously endangered, while populist digital jocks thrive.

“We will see more dive bars attracting unpretentious crowds and playing fun, eclectic music,” Shah continues. He’s right: In the wake of the recent closures, bars like Liar’s Club and darkroom have already started adding parties. Steve Mizek, moderator for Chicago-based electronic-music blog Little White Earbuds, also points to a reshuffling within the city. “More house bookings will likely go to Cuatro on the South Side, depending on how much Nate Manic feels house when programming Smart Bar,” Mizek says. Aside from techno, which is well represented at joints like Spy Bar, or the progressive and trance scene, which still holds its own at places like Vision and Excalibur, Smart Bar—and its music director, Manic—will be integral in keeping house, drum ’n’ bass and offshoots like dubstep alive in the city.

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(the silver lining comes after the jump, we swear)