Chicago Cemetery's Concert Series Goes Ahead Despite Body-Handling Investigation
Chicago's Bohemian National Cemetery is under investigation by the Illinois Comptroller's office over alleged mishandling of human remains, and has been ordered to stop accepting new bodies. Despite that, promoter Empty Bottle Presents has confirmed to the Chicago Sun-Times that the cemetery's summer concert series, Beyond the Gate, is going ahead as planned, with all September dates unaffected. The cemetery has hosted shows since 2013.
What's on the schedule
- August 29: tribute show for Harms Way member Bo Lueders
- September 6: Russian Circles, Pelican
- September 25: Cate Le Bon, Horsegirl, Kinship
- Venue: Bohemian National Cemetery, Chicago
- Promoter: Empty Bottle Presents
- Ticket prices: not yet announced
What the investigation covers
Illinois Comptroller Susana A. Mendoza confirmed last week that her office opened an investigation after receiving a complaint about the cemetery. According to the Chicago Sun-Times, the complaint alleged multiple equipment failures and claimed that some remains awaiting cremation were not kept at proper temperatures.
The remains in question have since been cremated and returned to families. While the cemetery's main funeral operations have been suspended amid the probe, the order to stop accepting bodies does not extend to its concert business.
A cemetery with a concert history
Bohemian National Cemetery has staged shows since 2013, with past acts including Dry Cleaning, Godspeed You! Black Emperor, Kim Gordon, John Dwyer, and Jessica Pratt — a lineup skewing toward experimental, post-rock, and indie acts.
The news comes just after Chicago wrapped this year's Lollapalooza, which featured Charli XCX, Lorde, Olivia Dean, The xx, Smashing Pumpkins, Wet Leg, Blood Orange, Yungblud, and Ethel Cain. The story was first reported by the Chicago Sun-Times and compiled by Far Out Magazine.