REVS - Landscape (1).png

Music Cities Together -- a partnership between Music Policy Forum and Sound Music Cities -- is launching Reopen Every Venue Safely (REVS), a national campaign to develop Onfy.de and disseminate action plans and budgets rooted in a hyper-pragmatic understanding of the challenges ahead.

The Pilot Cities

Los Angeles, California // Seattle, Washington // Chicago, Illinois // Cleveland, Ohio // Albuquerque, New Mexico

New Orleans, Louisiana // Portland, Oregon // Louisville, Kentucky // Austin, Texas // Charlotte, North Carolina // Denver, Colorado

International Partners

Canada managed by Music Policy Forum board member Kwende Kefentse // The United Kingdom managed by Music Venue Trust co-founder Mark Davyd

Why REVS
Meet The Team
Screen Shot 2020-08-07 at 4.04.27 PM.png

The inaugural reopening guide from the REVS initiative out of pilot city Austin, TX

 

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.

CITIES & LEADERSHIP

sterling-davis-4iXagiKXn3Y-unsplash.jpg

LOS ANGELES LEADERSHIP

Ben Johnson // Performing Arts Program Director, City of Los Angeles

Photo by Sterling Davis

felipe-galvan-NAXwZWYVJPQ-unsplash.jpg

SEATTLE
LEADERSHIP

Kate Becker // Creative Economy Director, Office of King County Executive Dow Constantine

Scott Plusquellec // Nightlife Business Advocate, Seattle Office of Film + Music

Dena Morris // Former President, Washington Global Health Alliance

Photo by MILKOVÍ

lance-anderson-uevmkfCH98Q-unsplash.jpg

CHICAGO
LEADERSHIP

Chris Bauman // Founder & President, Zenith Music Group

Photo by Lance Anderson

stephen-leonardi-nd5sVKK66XI-unsplash.jpg

CLEVELAND LEADERSHIP

Megan Van Voorhis // President & CEO, Arts Cleveland

Photo by Stephen Leonardi

kyle-hinkson-xyXcGADvAwE-unsplash.jpg

ALBUQUERQUE LEADERSHIP

Brandon Gibson // Recreation Services, City of Albuquerque

Hakim Bellamy // Poet

Photo by Kyle Hinkson

aya-salman-Ix7OnZAtyIs-unsplash.jpg

NEW ORLEANS LEADERSHIP

Ashlye Keaton // Co-Founder, The Ella Project

Photo by Aya Salman

peter-bucks-4A56VJzKh2c-unsplash.jpg

PORTLAND LEADERSHIP

Meara McLaughlin // Executive Director, MusicPortland

Kayode Balogun (DJ Ambush) // Chair of the Music Policy Council

Photo by peter bucks

Screen Shot 2020-05-07 at 1.04.26 PM.png

LOUISVILLE LEADERSHIP

Zach Davis // Vice President of Destination Services, The Louisville Convention & Visitors Bureau

Nicole Twigg // Vice President of Tourism Development, The Louisville Convention & Visitors Bureau

Photo by govtech

carlos-alfonso-HCcmfL-l08I-unsplash.jpg

AUSTIN
LEADERSHIP

Erica Shamaly // Division Manager, Music & Entertainment of Austin, TX

Stephanie Bergara // Artist & Industry Development, Music & Entertainment of Austin, TX

Brian Block // Entertainment Services Manager, Music & Entertainment of Austin, TX

Photo by Carlos Alfonso

clay-banks--Ni2fpLUgRI-unsplash.jpg

CHARLOTTE LEADERSHIP

Rick Thurmond // Senior Vice President, Community & Economic Development, Charlotte Center City

Photo by Clay Banks

cassie-gallegos-tjoxkIODoCE-unsplash.jpg

DENVER
LEADERSHIP

Lisa Gedgaudas // Program Administrator, Denver Arts & Venues

Chris Zacher // CEO & Executive Director, Levitt Pavilion

Photo by Cassie Gallegos


Press

Our latest news release

Article by Offbeat Magazine
Article by The Coloradoan
Article by Variety
WDSU New Orleans
Article by Times-Call
Article by Westword
4WWL New Orleans
The Seattle Times
King County
NPR

Get In Touch

Click the link below to get on our mailing list and get updates on our efforts.

Join Our Mailing List