Most venues in Chicago already have a pre-wired lighting settup. If you are playing somewhere that doesn't here are a few suggestions. Figure out your budget and music style. If it's just an acoustic set 1-2 Par cans with lite colored gel would be fine. Psychadelic style- a couple strobes and maybe 1 tree with some wide spread cans and maybe a Double Derby light ( this has an internal mic that makes the colored lights bounce to the music.
Really I would think about the set and the music and see what American DJ or Chauvet has to offer in my price range. If you don't have someone to do lights, buying lights with mic triggers is the way to go (if you are looking for moving lights.)
One last thing. Think of your songs as moods represented by colors that reflect the mood. You can always give a house lighting guy a set list with color notes for each song (though I'd say it wouldn't hurt to give him a small tip for the effort). If you are setting up your own lights, local lighting companies can rent you a few par cans in a pinch and will sell you small pieces of gel so you can get the colors you need.
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