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Facing an existential threat, hundreds of the most iconic independent rock clubs in America have banded together to do the unthinkable in an industry forged on pride, risk, ingenuity and imagination.
Independent venues are critical to local scenes and artists on the rise. With concerts on hold during the pandemic, they’re struggling to hang on and fighting for government aid.
Paul McCartney, Dave Grohl, and a host of other famous musicians united to perform with New Orleans’ Preservation Hall Jazz Band to raise funds for their foundation.
A recent survey conducted by the National Independent Venue Association found that 90% of independent music venues face closure if the coronavirus shutdown lasts six months or longer and there’s no federal support provided. Now, a group of 600 artists have signed an open letter calling on Congress to provide the necessary funding and support to keep these venues afloat.
Joni Mitchell, Ian MacKaye, Carly Rae Jepsen, Dave Grohl, Billie Eilish, Willie Nelson, Lady Gaga, Mavis Staples, Neil Young, Coldplay, and hundreds of other musicians and comedians have signed a letter addressed and sent to Congress in support of the National Independent Venue Association’s request for government assistance.
“We will know America is ‘back’ when our music venues are filled with fans enjoying concerts safely,” the artists, which also include Jack Antonoff, Madison Beer, Alice Cooper, The Black Keys, Logic, and John Mayer, wrote in the Thursday letter. “The live music experience is inextricably tied to our nation’s cultural and economic fabric.
Since we last posted, membership to NIVA, the National Independent Venue Association, has swelled to nearly 2000 independent venues and promoters. The organization has the goal of securing financial aid to help venues and promoters survive the coronavirus pandemic.
Across the country, music venues remain closed due to the pandemic — and according to a new survey, 90 percent of independent venue owners, promoters and bookers say that they will have to close permanently within the next few months, if they can't get an infusion of targeted government funding.