Wednesday, May 6th, 2020

Live music is not only an essential part of the music industry, it is a central component of local economies across the United States. Not only does live music provide jobs, it supports complimentary businesses and is a major element in quality of life and civic engagement. Bringing live music back is an essential puzzle piece in reopening our society and economy. 

Independent music venues understand this and are up for the challenge. At the same time, they recognize that these uncertain times carry additional responsibilities and costs. On one level, most venues were economically vulnerable even before the crisis and are working hard to pursue recovery funds to help stay afloat during the shutdown.  More broadly, it is unrealistic, and in some ways irresponsible press, to blithely move ahead and assume venues will be in a position to open without an aggressive, integrated plan to anticipate the resources and strategies necessary to successfully -- and safely -- reopen our live music economy.

These are difficult months ahead for the live music industry - a deeply interconnected web of business relationships that are threatened by the economic impact of the shutdown. Music Cities Together and our partners strongly support efforts to provide significant, targeted economic support for music venues and related businesses during the shutdown.