NPR: America’s Independent Music Venues Could Close Soon Due To Coronavirus
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NPR: Music venues around the country have continued to be put on hold, due to the pandemic, putting independent music venues at high risk. The National Independent Venue Association (NIVA), an advocacy group consisting of various groups of music venue owners and promoters, recently did a survey that concluded if government funding doesn’t come soon 90% of music venues are at risk of closing permanently.
Alongside music venues, a large source of income for artists is through live performances, according to the advocacy group Americans for the Arts about 62% of American artists around the country are now unemployed. Yet, it doesn’t appear salvation will come soon as many industry professionals and experts don’t expect venues to reopen before 2021. Even if reopening dates were moved up public health restrictions would strictly limit the number of attendees, making these venues barely profitable.
Although NIVA is hoping to create specific relief funds for independent music venues, it may be too late for some. Eventually music venues will reopen, but it’s difficult to say if the smaller venues, bars, or clubs will be there when the pandemic is over. Instead the music industry may be overrun by larger companies such as Live Nation and AEG presents. Many musicians refuse to give up hope, though, with large artist names such as Billy Joel, Lady Gaga, Kacey Musgraves and Willie Nelson working alongside NIVA to create a federal relief fund for these venues.
