When Fulton Market nightclub the Mid closed earlier this year, making way for yet another high-rise, the venue's co-owners Nick Karounos and Lucas King said that they “look forward to opening new venues in Chicago in the near future.” Karounos is already making good on that promise with Radius, a new music venue and event space on the east side of Pilsen (640 W Cermak Rd) that will host its first concert at the end of February.
Housed inside a former steel factory, Radius is a 55,000-square-foot space with a capacity that ranges from 2,500 to 3,800 people. The concert hall features nine full-service bars throughout the space and a mezzanine level that will typically be used to host VIP guests. A separate 10,000-square-foot space within Radius called Cermak Hall is being positioned as a multi-purpose event venue, complete with its own entrance, a full bar and another stage.
The initial lineup of concerts at Radius fall in line with the offerings at other venues that Karounos has been involved with—he's a co-owner of Lincoln Park nightclub Prysm and Logan Square's Concord Music Hall. After celebrating its grand opening with a set from EDM DJ Dillon Francis on February 29, Radius will predominantly host hip-hop, electronic and rock acts, including house DJ Carl Cox (March 6), rapper Lil Wayne (March 28) and local punk rockers Alkaline Trio (April 18).
Located within walking distance of the Chinatown Red Line station and the Cermak-McCormick Place Green Line station, Radius is far closer to the Loop than similarly sized concert destinations the Rivera Theater and the Aragon Ballroom. While a release announcing the opening of Radius claims that the new business is "independently owned and operated," the venue has partnered with the world's second-largest concert promoter AEG Presents to handle its ticketing, further distinguishing it from the Live Nation-owned Aragon Ballroom. And with Thalia Hall nearby, Radius is poised to solidify Pilsen's reputation as a destination for live music, bringing even more high-profile acts to the neighborhood.
Check out the initial lineup of concerts that will be hosted at Radius during the first half of 2020 below. Tickets for all currently announced shows will go on sale via the Radius website on Friday, December 12 at noon.
February 29 – Dillon Francis
March 6 – Carl Cox
March 13 – Tchami
March 28 – Lil Wayne
April 4 – Killswitch Engage + August Burns Red + Light The Torch
April 18 – Alkaline Trio + Bad Religion
April 24 – King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard