Places That Shaped House Music

House music wasn't born in a single room. It evolved in a vibrant ecosystem of places. The cooperation and competition of sanctuaries and sweat boxes had the effect of pushing the boundaries of dance music, cross-pollinating sounds from New York, Chicago and Europe, and bridging across generations from teenagers to veterans. The articles in this part of the website are about the important places in early house music.

The "Sonic Laboratory" Of Chicago

The pioneering spaces of early Chicago house were incubators of the music, and house music's evolution relied on this network of spaces. The teen scenes at Mendel paved the way for The Playground. The import shops brought European electronic records to Chicago. The Warehouse, The Music Box and The Power Plant tested and validated the pioneering producers, pushing them to go further.

The Clubs And Other Places Of Chicago

From the raw experimental frenzy of The Music Box, to the polished sound of the iconic Warehouse, each location contributed a unique piece to the puzzle. While some names are more famous than others, these places are all important in the history of house music. Explore the physical spaces that acted as laboratories for the house sound we know today. Follow the links to map the spatial-temporal "geography of house".