Independent concert venues are facing near closure with the disturbance of events and businesses. This threat begins to loom since the beginning of the pandemic.
The situation pushed over 600 recording artists to call on Congress. Artists urge them to legislate specific actions to save the affected groups. Lady Gaga, Billie Eilish, and Coldplay signed the letter with some hundreds more, according to the Rolling Stone report.
The message was sent to Congress on behalf of the National Independent Venue Association.
Legitimate Fear and Prior Plea for Help
An estimation made by NIVA shows that concert venues share a total of $10 billion per year to their local communities. In a statement issued to Rolling Stone, NIVA Board President Dayna Frank said that independent operators would not be asking for donations. But they are threatened in their existence due to the unusual situation.
As early as April, the group has issued a letter to Congress. The message contains requests and plans concerning the struggles of their sector. As the letter stated, their jobs were first closed when the spread of the virus started. They are also assuming that they are the last to be reopened since their businesses gather people together. The group is pushing for its inclusion in the government's aid programs.
Artists' Letter to Congress
More than a month after NIVA's appeal, Lady Gaga and other artists joined support to ask for federal assistance to indie music venues.
The letter said that music venues being filled with fans enjoying music would signify that America is back. The letter states, "The live music experience is inextricably tied to our nation's cultural and economic fabric." The artists further asked Congress to remember that America introduced different music genres to the world. According to the letter, the independent venues first heard the music. It set artists into great entertainers they are today. They are asking for assistance for indie music venues. Musicians believe that it is an essential element in the music industry's ecosystem. Artists believe that cultural and entertainment hearts will be lost as well as movers for economic renewal across America if these venues face closure.
READ ALSO: 4 Locations That Prove Indie Event Venues Are Cornerstones of the Music Industry
Lady Gaga, Other Artists Support #SaveOurStages
The #SaveOurStages movement was launched to ask the government to act. The movement presses Congress to hear the condition of those in the music entertainment industry. Performers like Lady Gaga and Billy Joel support the campaign along with over 600 artists. The campaign has gained social media attention since. A separate website has been devoted to this purpose. Music fans who would want to show their support and urge their senators and representatives to act on it may wish to signify.
For commercial live events promoters, Live Nation and AEG have already proposed directives on pay cuts and cancellation. It is in response to a balance playing ground once they resume in 2021.
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