The Crackdown on DIY Venues

On March 2nd, Non Plus Ultra, a venue popular within the DIY scene, was shut down after a large crowd of around 350 came to see to see the well-known band Thee Oh Sees. After inspectors of the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety realized that this building was not zoned to be a venue space, but rather a housing building, they shut it down on that same night, with an order to comply.

            After the fire at Ghost Ship, a space for artists, located in Oakland last December in 2016, DIY venues all across the United States have begun to suffer the long-lasting consequences. DIY venues are spaces where small artists and show promoters can play and put on music shows.

            In a panel all about DIY shows and DIY festing at Loyola Marymount University, hosted by KXLU 88.9 FM for the University of California Radio Network conference, a discussion on the necessity of safety at DIY venues ensued.

            Yiwei Meng, also known as the show promoter Minty Boi, offers the advice to any aspiring show promoters to “never be stingy with your money on security guards.” He recalls a time when they used to have “higher security guard with like bulletproof jackets and like tasers and like batons.” He does, however, add that “it’s kind of illegal.”

            Although these tips on being safe at venues may be helpful, they don’t necessarily apply to the dangers that inspectors and code enforcement officers are afraid of, such as fires and potential building damages.

            This potential for danger and legal risks is not gone unnoticed by artists and show promoters.

Lily O’brien, General Manager of KXLU says, “Obviously safety is a really big concern, but when you’re throwing a show, you’re not throwing them at the Echoplex, you’re not throwing them at the Regent, you’re throwing them in these warehouses, in these spaces.”

            This happens to be the concern of many people involved in the DIY scene. Bands and artists need a space to be able to rise up and have some exposure. Meng says from the perspective of a show promoter, “the Echoplex and the Regent don’t give a damn about me. Like who am I?”

            Thus, bands, artists, and show promoters have to rely on DIY spaces. This is why promoters are constantly reminded and encouraged to minimize the chances of public officials ever finding out about the show.

            For example, Jessica Makhlin, a show promoter, recalls the first time she ever booked a show for Non Plus Ultra. She was advised to “just be careful where you place the show, where you advertise, and things like that.”

            This happens to be exactly what many people believe is the reason why Non Plus Ultra was shut down. Jason Bentley, of Morning Becomes Eclectic on KCRW 89.9, a popular NPR station, announced that the Oh Sees would be playing there. Thus, with that much exposure and advertisement, too many people showed up, shining light on a venue that had been running with secrecy.

            The struggle between opportunity for bands and artists and the need for safety is an ongoing struggle happening between promoters, DIY venue managers, and LA city inspectors.