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Live Nation launches COVID-19 relief fund for live industry practitioners
By Chris Cooke | Published on Wednesday 1 April 2020
Live Nation has launched a new fund to support those who work on the production side of live music and who are facing financial hardship as a result of the COVID-19 shutdown.
Countless crew members have found themselves out of work since measures to restrict and delay the spread of COVID-19 forced the cancellation of shows, tours, festivals and conferences in numerous countries. Many of those people are self-employed and lost all upcoming work as a result of the cancellations.
Live entertainment giant Live Nation is committing $10 million to its new Crew Nation fund, while also encouraging artists, fans and employees to contribute, either through donations or by buying bespoke merch. Live Nation’s contribution includes $5 million up front and then – like Spotify’s COVID-19 support scheme – it will match any donations made by other parties, up to another $5 million.
Although a number of schemes have now been set up around the world to provide short term financial assistance to those in the music community negatively hit by the COVID-19 crisis, many are primarily focused on artists, songwriters and musicians. This new scheme will therefore provide valuable support for those who work behind-the-scenes at those artists’ shows.
Launching the fund, Live Nation said: “Live music inspires millions around the world, but the concerts we all enjoy wouldn’t be possible without the countless crew members working behind the scenes. As COVID-19 puts concerts on pause, we want to extend a helping hand to the touring and venue crews who depend on shows to make a living”.
The Crew Nation scheme is being administered by the existing Music Forward Foundation that was originally set up by the House Of Blues venue business that Live Nation acquired in 2006. You can already donate to the fund online, while information about how affected crew members can apply for support will be published soon.
