Today we’d like to introduce you to Alicia Maciel.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Struggling with my identity as many others do, I never wanted to be labeled or fit in cliques.
Obstacles such as being first-generation Mexican/Honduran, being an anti-socialite, coming from low-class, and plenty more all shaped me tremendously. This lead to my intimate relationship with music – both live and simply listening.
Attending concerts since 6th grade, getting involved in street teaming during high school, and becoming heavily involved in pro-bono work with artists and music business internships really helped me find my true passion to be an innovator in the music scene.
Just last year, I attended over 100 shows – many of which had different combinations of the same bands, some difficult to get to, and most were male-dominated in presence and/or production.
Working with so many artists, building friendships and business relationships, and more than willing to meet and help people whenever wherever – I wanted to find a way to give back to both Chicago’s music scene and to nonprofit organizations. This led me to formulate FIFTY50, inquire venues and bands, and live out my dream job — curating exhilarating, live music experiences for the betterment of the community.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Mentioned in the previous question more in depth, there were personal endeavors that led to this develop – from leaving a part-time job I had for years as I focused on school work and carving a career path to what I believe would lead to building stronger relationships across the city of Chicago.
A key discovery that helped make the road smoother was pinpointing what roles needed to be assigned to others rather than putting the entire workload on myself.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
FIFTY50 is a promotion concept based in Chicago where proceeds are divided among performing acts and the rest is donated to nonprofits.
Dedicating ourselves to work with nonprofits across the span of 2018 such as Hope For The Day, we will garner proceeds to then donate in bulk to the organizations at the end of the year.
Prioritizing indie rock and local bands, FIFTY50 also welcomes touring artists interested in live performances at professional venues and DIY spots. FIFTY50 will also provide artist promotion with flares of personality, ranging from photography to articles, interviews, and simply sharing tracks.
Created by Alicia Maciel and partnering with venues including Lincoln Hall + Schubas and Subterranean, we’re invested in all that is mentioned above as well as providing involvement opportunities to women in the music industry.
When it comes to selecting local bands, I go through a lot of team suggestions, online publications, zines, and social media outlets. I also attend a lot of shows here in Chicago whether it’s at a record shop or a bar. I keep track of bands I or the team check out, listen to at least an entire album, write some notes, and color code everything.
When it comes to touring bands, my main go-to is digging a black hole on Spotify. Being a heavy, active music listener I’ve generated an awesome variety on there which leads to a lot of discovery. I keep track of bands like I do with locals and go from there. Word of mouth is huge here in Chicago, with more and more acquaintances referring local/touring bands to reach out to me directly or vice versa. Receiving a plethora of emails and Facebook messages is always overwhelming and it’s crucial to cut through the noise and showcase music that ought to be paid attention to.
We’re currently in the process of finalizing the four nonprofits we’re donating to this year. We have announced Hope For The Day as one of the four. When it comes to the selection process, I wanted to think of 4 different categories locally that can resonate with anyone and are very involved in awareness and activism. FIFTY50 will focus on mental health awareness, animals, music, and education. The team has grown from just me to a team with roles focused on marketing, social media, hospitality, building relationships with businesses, and much more.
What were you like growing up?
This can be referred to in “My Story”. The key things that set me apart was being ambivert and not fitting under typical labels.
Pricing:
- $10 Adv/$12 Dos
- $7 Adv/$10 Dos
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.fifty50shows.com
- Email: fifty50shows@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fifty50shows/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fifty50shows/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/fifty50shows
Image Credit:
Alexandria Dravillas, Girl K, Beach Bunny, Lovejoy
Getting in touch: VoyageChicago is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
