The lack of venues is hurting the scene way more then the city.
Fact is most venues make more money running their own nights selling alcohol to 19+ crowds, rather than renting them out to promoters. The list of decent venues is shrinking by the day and any that are decent are way over used, so promoters don't get the crowds needed to make a profit. In turn promoters are forced to bring in bigger names to draw the crowds, which obviously increases the cost considerably! The saying used to be 'don't expect to make money throwing parties', now it seems to be 'expect a loss'!
Venues where are you!!!!!!!!!! I beleive they are out there. We just have to look harder to find them. And forget about big parties, we have to take a step back and start rebuilding the scene, maybe start focusing on parties around the 1,000 people mark. Besides, 1,000 people are way easier to controll then 10,000 anyway, and it's safer!
The quest for new venues continues, if you find one let me know!
Jeff (sourkee productions)