After the COVID-19 pandemic that has hit the world, one of the industries that has been most affected is entertainment, putting the livelihoods of thousands of people around the planet at risk.
That is why a large number of artists have come together to send a letter to the United States Congress requesting financial support and to ensure that independent venues can continue to function and free the threat of bankruptcy.
Among the activists we can find big names within the industry, such as Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails, Ozzy Osbourne, the ex-Led Zeppelin, Robert Plant, Dave Grohl of Foo Fighters, Josh Homme of Queens of the Stone Ageas well as members of bands like Cannibal Corpse, Ministry or Halestorm, in addition to hundreds of others. You can see the original letter and the complete list of signatories, here.
“We, the undersigned artists, respectfully present this letter in support of the Association of Independent Venues' application for federal aid to independent music venues and promoters in the United States.
We will know that the United States will be "back" when our venues are full of fans enjoying their concerts safely. The experience of live music is inextricably linked to the cultural and economic fabric of our nation. In fact, the 53% of Americans, or 172 million of us, attended a concert last year.
It is urgent to remember that we are the nation that gave jazz, country, rock & roll, bluegrass, hip hop, metal, blues and R&B to the world. Entertainment is America's largest economic export, with songs written and produced by American artists being performed everywhere in the world. All of these genres of music, and the artists behind them, were able to thrive because they had independent venues to play and hone their craft, build an audience, and become the artists who would later bring joy to millions.
Independent venues give artists a place to start. These locations were the first to close and will be the last to reopen. With zero income and the overwhelming burden of paying rent, mortgages, utilities, taxes and insurance, the 90% of the places knows that if the closure lasts six months and they do not receive federal aid, they will never be able to reopen. ”
As of this publication, there is no response from Congress to the request.