Amidst the coronavirus pandemic, music venues have been finding various ways to support their businesses. On a federal level, the Paycheck Protection Program which was recently enacted, is intended to help businesses stay afloat. This loan program helps provide some of the funding for businesses to keep their current employees and also rehire fired employees. Any business that has fewer than 500 employees is eligible for this program, which makes this a good option for many music venues struggling to stay in business.
Many venues are accepting GoFundMe and Venmo funds for their businesses. In Raleigh, N.C., the venues The Pour House, Kings, Lincoln Theatre, Slims, and The Wicked Witch have all partnered up to accept Venmo donations @Raleigh-Downtown-Music-Venues. Several of these locations are also trying to hold live streamed concerts at their venue to keep supporting the music of local artists. In Asheville, N.C., The Quarantine Concert Series began in late March and concerts have been scheduled through late April. IAmAVL has also been putting on live streamed concerts at several venues around Asheville. Their website is also collecting funds to go directly to Asheville music venues and local artists. In Charlotte N.C., singer-songwriter Brit Dronza has been putting on digital concerts in place of her lost gigs. However, as a twist, she has been asking for all of the tips to go to a GoFundMe specifically for local music venues.
Although the coronavirus pandemic is hurting music venues and artists monumentally, it is impressive how so many artists and venues are teaming up to support one another. The music industry has already lost $200 million due to the virus, so it is absolutely essential that smaller venues and local artists support each other and create partnerships to stay afloat.
Joseph Harrington
April 9, 2020 — 1:09 pm
I think your last statement about the importance of partnerships and mutual support is really important. I like how Brit Dronza is donating all her tips to support local venues. Even though its a small gesture, I’m sure every little bit helps (especially as more people potentially do the same thing). I also think mutual support right now is very difficult because everyone is hurting — so on the flip side, I could see it being difficult for an artist to give up much needed income at this moment as well.
Quinn McKearney
April 9, 2020 — 1:49 pm
It is certainly interesting to think about how smaller local venues will try and survive the loss of business. I wonder if venues have that have an additional revenue stream along with hosting live music will have a better chance of surviving than others. Venues like Fleetwoods and The Sly Grog Lounge are also vintage shops, so I wonder if this would make them more favorable to receive a small business loan. I also like the idea of the Charlotte artist donating her tips to local music venues and could see a trend like that also becoming popular in Asheville.