COVID-19 brought the live music industry to its knees. Almost overnight, virtually every venue in the United States had to close their doors and layoff their staff. Many venues remain closed today, and there is no clear timeline for them to reopen.
While all venues are suffering right now, independent venues are worse off than the rest. These concert halls are essentially local small businesses, but only many shops and companies, they have not received any financial aide from the federal government. Not one cent of any federal stimulus or bailout money has been given to live music businesses, and that needs to change.
As of June 2020, over 90% of all independent venues in the United States are in jeopardy of closing before October. Such a loss would upend the entire music ecosystem, not to mention leaving thousands without a job. NIVA, the National Independent Venue Association, is trying to save these establishments from going under, but they need our help.
In this episode of Music Biz News, host James Shotwell explains the #SaveOurStages movement and what viewers can do to take action. Please do your part.
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Independent venues around the country are joining forces to ask for help, and you can play a significant role in making sure they survive the coronavirus pandemic.
Have you heard about NIVA? Otherwise known as the National Independent Venue Association, NIVA brings together more than 800 venues across the country in an attempt to keep their businesses afloat while COVID-19 makes live performances impossible. Independent venues are more vulnerable to permanent shutdowns amid the coronavirus pandemic because they do not have the multi-million dollar backing venues owned by Live Nation or AEG possess. Their independence grants them the ability to take a chance on talent that may not normally get a chance to shine, and they need your help to survive these chaotic times.
NIVA is calling on all fans of live music to write their senators and representatives to demand the government help these organizations stay alive. Visiting the NIVA website will allow you to quickly fill out of a form letter and send it to those in power with just a couple of clicks. It takes only a few moments to complete. Please do your part.
A message from NIVA reads:
National Independent Venue Association (NIVA) is securing financial support to preserve the national ecosystem of independent venues and promoters. 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.
The vast majority of musicians rely on independent venues to tour and sustain their careers. Your efforts to keep these businesses going will make an impact on the livelihood of your favorite artists and the artists you’ve yet to discover. Action is needed. Do your part.
(This photo was taken shortly after Eagles Of Death Metal took the stage at Bataclan over the weekend. The terrorists who took hostages at the venue were just minutes away from arriving with guns drawn. Credit: manuwino.com)
The terrorist attacks that took place in Paris over the weekend are still fresh in everyone’s minds, and now that the dust is finally starting to settle the world is wondering how best to respond. U2 frontman Bono was quoted in the press as claiming the hostage situation at the Bataclan concert hall to be the “First direct hit on music.” He’s not wrong, but this incident is not the first hit on the entertainment industry. The past year has been littered with news of gunmen in movie theaters all over the United States, which in their own way are also acts of terror, and now it seems the venues that once felt like a safe place are also being targeted by those who wish to see the demise of our culture.
I’ve been to hundreds of concerts in my lifetime, and I can honestly say I have never really questioned my safety at any given event. There have been times I thought certain shows may have been overcrowded, or perhaps held in an area that was definitely breaking fire codes to host said show, but I had never even contemplated the possibility of a terrorist attack at a show I attended until I heard the news from Paris over the weekend. I imagine many of you reading this now probably had a similar experience. There are occasionally stories of death or violence at music events, but they have become increasingly rare, and never in my nearly thirty years on this planet has there been anything like what took place at the Bataclan over the weekend. The closest thing I can even think of is the on-stage shooting of Dimebag Darrell in 2004. That event was once called the ‘Worst Day In The History Of Metal,’ but after the last few days I’m convinced that is no longer the case.
The immediate response in any situation like this is to find ways to ensure such tragedies never occur again, so it should come as no surprise that the media has begun questioning the security, or lack thereof, found at most live music events. There was no way the staff at the Bataclan could have prepared for the terror they endured, but looking ahead other venues around the world will more than likely have plans of action for this, as well as other acts of terrorism. They have to, really, as the public will no doubt demand it. Young people make up a large portion of the concert-going community, and parents are only going to allow their children to continue attending shows if they feel their child will be safe at the venue. Likewise, adult concert-goers with spouses and children won’t want to risk their lives to see a band perform a few songs they enjoy. The risk outweighs the reward.
LiveNation, the largest concert promoter in the world, issued a statement earlier this week regarding their plans for the future. It reads:
“The safety and security of our shows, fans and venues continues to be our highest priority. Due to the recent events in Paris and in an abundance of caution we have implemented heightened security procedures globally. However, because of the sensitive nature of these protocols, we cannot elaborate further on the specific details.”
This is a fairly boilerplate statement. It makes no specific promises, but insists LiveNation is taking steps to improve their security efforts worldwide. There is no doubt that is true, but one does have to wonder what specific actions could and should be taken in response to these tragic events.
Scott Hammontree, General Manager and Talent Buyer for the Grand Rapids, Michigan based venue The Intersection, claims the attacks in paris were an eye-opening experience for he and his staff. In a message sent to Haulix in response to an inquiry regarding his thoughts on the attacks, Hammontree wrote:
“We are actually meeting on this internally to discuss things moving forward. We’ll be focusing on making any and all changes to prevent things like this from happening in our venue. I can certainly send along what those changes are once they are finalized. In the meantime we’ll be increasing the number of our security personnel on site and making some changes to what is allowed into the venue as well as monitoring behavior more closely of those in the venue. More to come.”
It seems it may be a bit too soon to know for sure how things will change, but one thing that seems certain is that change will come.
Speaking with The New York Times, Pollstar editor Gary Bongiovanni makes a good counterpoint that may be hard for some to swallow. “It’s only logical for major venues worldwide to have heightened security,” said Bongiovanni. “But the truth is that there is only so much anyone can do to stop a wave of suicidal attackers.”
Bongiovanni may have a point. There is no way anyone could foresee a terrorist attack on a concert venue, which only makes the whole affair more terrifying for consumers. Venues can add all the cameras, metal detectors, and checkpoints they want, but at the end of the day there are limits to the amount of security one can provide.
Personally, I agree with Bongiovanni and am sure that there is any way to fully prevent tragedies like the one that occurred at Bataclan from happening again, but I do understand the need to try. We as music professionals have to do everything in our power to make consumers feel safe and welcome in concert venues. Live music is the backbone of our business, and the attacks this past weekend put the immediate future of that industry in jeopardy. While the proper channels plan and carry out their response, we need to be working to increase safety protocols across the board. We have to let consumers know the sense of freedom and community that has long been associated with live music cannot be scrubbed away by those who wish ill will upon on our way of life. We also need to honors those we have lost, and do our best to ensure similar tragedies do not ever occur again. It won’t be easy, but it’s what we must do. Not for our business, but for the fans, bands, and everyone else who finds joy in music.
James Shotwell is the Marketing Coordinator for Haulix. He is also a professional entertainment critic, covering both film and music, as well as the co-founder of Antique Records. Feel free to tell him you love or hate the article above by connecting with him on Twitter. Bonus points if you introduce yourself by sharing your favorite Simpsons character.
