#SaveOurStages: Hundreds of Local Music Venues and Concert Promoters Form National Independent Venue Association - Seeking Federal Assistance To Help Survive COVID-19 Shutdowns

In March - as COVID-19 spread across the country and states began to take action - including decisions to close non-essential businesses - music venues were some of the hardest hit. They had no way to 'pivot and alter their way of doing business' and for months - many have been unable to generate any revenue.

(Spoon at 9:30 Club - Photo: Tedd Henn)

Some iconic locations, like Great Scott in Boston, have already announced they will not be able to re-open. Others, like LA's Troubadour, have called their re-opening 'a big if'. Almost all venues have had to fire or furlough staff. The industry is slated to lose nearly $9 BILLION of revenue if they were to remain closed through the end of the year.

(Jade Bird at Rams Head On Stage - Photo: Tedd Henn)

This has prompted nearly 1,200 music venues and concert promoters - including 25+ right here in the DC/Maryland/Virginia region - to band together to form the National Independent Venue Association, or NIVA. Their goal - “securing financial support (from the federal government) to preserve the national ecosystem of independent venues and promoters.”

According to NIVA:
These entertainment hubs are critical to their local economies and tax bases as employers, tourism destinations, and revenue generators for neighboring businesses such as restaurants, hotels, and retail. Independent venues exist in every state across the country; they were the first to be closed, they will be the last to open. The economic recovery process will extend past just reopening the front doors, requiring solutions unique to the industry.

So far- they have presented a letter to Congress “seeking national guidelines for large gatherings to occur in a safe manner” and presented ideas for solutions to the existential crisis facing the live music industry.

(Merriweather Post Pavilion - Photo: Tedd Henn)