Known as the city that lives and breathes music, Chicago is the birthplace of blues music. Naturally, you'll find here countless music venues and locations that are worthy of being captured in a music video. Giggster curates a selection of these spaces especially for you, so you'll find location scouting to be easier than before.
Now, you can easily film your music video in the same spot where legends like Nat King Cole and Buddy Guy once played music! Or you can find something just as charming—a cozy speakeasy that radiates authentic blues vibe, a posh rooftop bar, or an American home for filming casual interior scenes. Giggster's handpicked selections ensure you have numerous options to get the perfect location that complements your vision and suits your production budget.
These venues are not only diverse, but also affordable and full of amenities like high-end music equipment, sound systems, areas with acoustic treatment, and much more. Moreover, there are plenty of film-related businesses in Chicago, from equipment rental businesses to crew caterers and video editors, that you can reach out to in case you need some assistance with your shoot.
The right filming location can make all the difference between an unremarkable music video and one that holds the viewers' attention from start to finish. You don't even have to book somewhere very expensive—even a bare studio can create an interesting music video with the right props, editing, and visual effects. With Giggster’s exclusive music video spaces, your ultimate shoot is just a few clicks away!
Chicago Music Video Spaces Curated by Giggster
Music videos call for a character-rich venue that not only acts as a space to shoot but also complements your creative vision. Let us have a look at some inspirational music video venues that Giggster has for you. Book the ultimate music video space in Chicago!
- Want a grand historic theme? Venues like the Chicago Theater, the Palmer House Hilton, and The Field Museum near West Loop have ornate decor pieces along with lavish interiors, helping you add a royal feel to your next production.
- Need modern amenities with vintage settings? Giggster’s venues combine the best of both worlds, offering high-speed internet for live streaming, professional-grade lighting setup, and acoustic walls, all within a music video shoot location that looks vintage.
- If you are concerned about the weather throwing a damper on your plans, pick a hybrid indoor-outdoor venue that is conveniently located. This allows you to take all kinds of shots without having to switch locations. Good examples include industrial warehouses, hybrid urban rooftops, and glass studios.
- Need something simple yet gritty? A refurbished urban warehouse converted into a studio space and outfitted with lighting equipment can add an edgy vibe to a rap, hip-hop, or rock music video.
653 Amazing Music Video Spaces in Chicago
Exceptional Variety & Quality: Giggster’s 653 listings feature incredibly diverse venues ranging from posh studios with high-end recording equipment to cozy spaces with functional decor that caters to budget productions.
Hassle-Free Booking: Our platform combines the diversity of venue options with ease of use and a friendly UI, simplifying your search exponentially. You can sort the listings according to price, capacity, features, and style. Get the best music video spaces in Chicago starting at just $20/hour.
24-Hour Free Cancellation Policy: Life is uncertain, but your venue booking doesn’t have to be. Reschedule or cancel a booking if you need to without worrying about incurring any hidden fees or cancellation charges, all thanks to our 24-hour free cancellation policy.
Platform Protection: Shoot the perfect music video at Spacious & Modern Event Space with Sleeping Loft with peace of mind. All our properties can come integrated with optional comprehensive coverage against accidental damage, event liability, and cancellations.
Things to Consider for Your Music Video in Chicago
From lakeside views to iconic jazz clubs, Chicago has everything a music production team could ask for. Here are a few things to consider before you head out to scout and finalize music video spaces in Chicago.
Advantages
- This city has all sorts of music locations you can think about that can add flavor to your music video. From urban skyscrapers to hip streets and lakeside views, there's something that's perfect for any music genre.
- Chicago is brimming with local talent and is especially known for its artists and musicians. Hiring local talent can be cheaper and might help you discover people who are familiar and in tune with the city.
- Chicago Film Office is quite supportive when it comes to issuing permits for filming, making music video production easier for you.
- Chicago's yearly calendar is full of cultural events and music festivals that take place every month. You can leverage these events for cross-promotion or use them as background events to add richness to your music videos.
Disadvantages
- Climate variations can be a pain for outdoor shooting. You get to see the full circle of seasons ranging from humid summers to snowy winters, along with unpredictable rain showers throughout the year.
- Filming in central areas can be quite costly, with permit fees amounting to $250 per day per location. Plus, certain areas require their own separate film permits, which can further take time and effort.
- Heavy traffic can lead to delays in transport, and therefore, delays in production. Take note that areas like Lakeshore Drive, Magnificent Mile, and the Loop are always busy, so you can allot enough travel time on prod day.
- Popular venues are often booked months in advance due to high competition. To avoid encountering this issue, be sure to scout locations as early as three months in advance. Luckily, you can book your preferred location as early as you want with Giggster. Our 24-hour cancellation policy allows you to be flexible with dates should you decide to change your mind.
Choosing the Right Type of Location for a Music Video in Chicago
The right venue sets the stage for the story you have to tell. Whether you are shooting a high-tempo scene in an urban street or looking for the laid-back vibe of a rooftop bar, Giggster has ** 586 ** listings suited for every whim you have in mind.
Filming Theaters – Classic Backdrops. Iconic locations like the Auditorium Theater and the Chicago Theatre can help you add dramatic flair to any production. Think red velvet drapes, tons of DIY props, and state-of-the-art sound and lighting systems.
Rooftop Locations – Skyline Views. Chicago’s rooftop locations offer breathtaking views that will add a sophisticated feel to your video. Buildings like the Willis Tower and the John Hancock Center are perfect locations for such shots. You can never go wrong with rooftop locations if you want to capture twinkling city lights at night or add soft natural light to your shots.
Lakefront Pavilions – Natural Beauty. Lake Michigan has plenty of vantage points around Promontory Point, Irving Park, and Lincoln Park that offer a peaceful escape from the bustling city streets. Water views, natural lighting, and lush greenery help you capture beauty all year round.
Urban Warehouses – For a Gritty and Raw Theme. There is something about the raw feel of unpolished walls and exposed bricks that every filmmaker loves. With some creative flair and smart decorations, you can transform an industrial warehouse into a set perfect for high-energy music video shoots or those that will involve dancing.
Cultural Centers – Capture Rich Heritage. Shooting in a cultural center, amidst art, historical artifacts, and historic architecture can infuse a compelling element to your videos. Chicago, IL has a multitude of such locations starting from the beautiful Irish American Heritage Center, all the way to the National Museum of Mexican Art.
How to Plan a Music Video in Chicago
Filming a music video can be challenging and exhausting for the production staff, singers, and actors, but it can be very fulfilling especially once the final video has been rendered. But, with the right preparations in hand, you can streamline the process easily. Here are a few things to keep in mind when planning to shoot a music video in Chicago.
Define Your Creative Vision – The kind of music video you want to create influences the size and type of location you need to look for. Create a list of the kinds of shots you want, taking note of the mood you want to invoke, your crew size, and equipment compatibility.
Establish a Realistic Budget – A well-planned budget cannot be underestimated during pre-planning—without enough money, your production cannot even begin in the first place! A detailed budget also ensures you're spending on the most crucial areas of production instead of the less important elements. Write an outline of all your potential expenses. Depending on the scope of your project, this might include crew wages, catering, venue fees, equipment, post-production costs (fees for editors, etc.), and logistics (production transportation, etc.).
Pick the Right Location and Date – Decide if you want to shoot with a snowy backdrop or under the summer skies for your videos. If you need background extras, try to schedule your shoot day around a music festival or a local event to further elevate your scene without having to hire crews to fill out empty spaces. But keep in mind that you may not be able to control the size and movement of the crowd.
Secure Essential Permits and Hire Local Talent – Once you finalize the venue, start hiring local actors and film workers and secure necessary permits from the Chicago Film Office. Book the location you have in mind from Giggster’s 653 listings today!
How to Save Money on Music Video Spaces in Chicago
Shooting a music video on a budget may sound challenging at best, but with the following tips, you can save a lot of money without compromising on your video's quality.
Utilize public spaces.
Chicago has many iconic areas that are ideal for both video and photo shoots. Search for places where you can film without a permit or fee, and use those shots as fillers between normal takes.
Hire freelancers and students.
A full professional-grade crew can get expensive easily. Try outsourcing some of the menial responsibilities to freelancers who charge reasonably or film students instead. Check community forums, local art schools, and social media platforms to find people who are willing to volunteer in exchange for adding experience to their resume.
Use fewer locations.
Condense your shoot to as few locations as possible to save fees on transportation, setup, and rentals. Plan your shots well in advance so you don’t have to re-shoot at the same location again.
Book the Ultimate Music Video Space with Giggster
From cinematic shots in grand downtown theaters to exceptional views of the Chicago skyline and lakes, Giggster has the perfect music video spaces for you. Dive into a world of the ultimate music video spaces with Giggster, and snap the ultimate shot today!
