STRATEGIES & ACTION PLAN
UPDATE PA SYSTEMS
For older venues, those with outdated equipment, and/or those whose primary ​business is not music, up-to-date PA systems are essential. Especially in terms of microphones, speakers, mixers, monitors, and equalizers/signal processors, newer, higher quality equipment would be beneficial to bands playing at these venues as well as show-goers, who would have a better overall musical experience. This would also help attract local indie rock bands as well as national touring bands.
ADD GREEN ROOMS
Much like updated PA systems, green rooms are useful tools for enhancing ​local venues. Indie artists would appreciate a separate space in which to prepare for shows, relax beforehand, or reflect after a show. Venues with green rooms will likely be more attractive to both local and touring indie artists, making them more desirable and thus more profitable.
DESIGNATE LOADING ZONES
As indie artists often lack funds to hire roadies and load/unload their own equipment (often from small vehicles or U-hauls), many would appreciate designated loading zones at venues. Smaller venues often lack a large back entrance through which to bring large equipment, so they might block off their front entrances for a short time to allow artists to unload without interference. Other venues, including larger ones or those with their own parking lots, should delineate permanent loading zones.
INVOLVE NON-MUSIC BUSINESSES
To maximize the economic impact of the indie scene, businesses outside of the music industry should be part of the scene. Just as music businesses benefit financially from operating within close proximity, this can be extended to non-music businesses and increase their profits, as well. By involving non-music businesses, such as restaurants, bars, coffee shops, book stores, and others, people who attend indie shows or shop at indie record stores will be more inclined to visit nearby businesses out of convenience. The opposite is also true, so both music and non-music businesses will experience a mutually beneficial increase in business.
CENTRALIZE THE SCENE IN THE DISTILLERY DISTRICT
According to urban economics, businesses benefit from agglomerating, or locating near each other. This is supported by the idea of an indie scene, as well. Thus, locating businesses involved in the indie scene in close proximity to one another would increase business and profits for all. The Distillery District provides a suitable location in which to centralize the indie rock scene given its goal to attract the creative class, its existing businesses, and its rustic-modern aesthetic. The location is also ideal, as it is close to downtown Lexington and not far from University of Kentucky's and Transylvania University's campuses.