Live Performance and Independent Venues in Jeopardy

Live Performance and our independent venues are in serious jeopardy and time is running out to save our stages. The National Independent Venue Association (NIVA) hopes to keep both alive with SOSFest. In partnership with YouTube, the organization will be livestreaming a virtual 3 day music festival this weekend on the NIVA YouTube Channel to raise further awareness, advocacy and donations for the NIVA Emergency Relief Fund.

The Save Our Stages Fest, dubbed SOSFEST, is a 3-day virtual music festival featuring exclusive original performances and content, streaming October 16 -18. Hosted by Reggie Watts, #SOSFEST will feature new performances from 35+ artists, including an intimate set from Foo Fighters, and performances by Leon Bridges, Nathaniel Rateliff, Black Pumas, Miley Cyrus, Kelsea Ballerini, and more, recorded live from more than 25 independent concert venues across the United States.

How to Watch #SOSFEST

  • Subscribe to the NIVA YouTube Channel
  • Set a reminder on the NIVA #SOSFEST channel
  • Tune in on October 16-18 to catch exclusive performances from your favorite artists working to #SaveOurStages
  • Watch for FREE and Take Action
virtual music fest to save our stages
90% of independent venues are at stake of closing and you can help with a donation

What’s at Stake?

It has been seven months since most independent venues, concert halls, comedy clubs, theatres, and festivals learned that they would be closing indefinitely. 

90% of independent music venues are on the verge of closing forever – and they need your help!  — National Independent Venue Association

Over 2 MILLION messages have already been sent to Congress, and the Save Our Stages Act has been included in the updated HEROES Act. Congress needs to get to work now and pass this legislation.

What You Can Do: Take Action

Here’s how you can help make this happen:

  • Send one more message on NIVA’s behalf to let your representatives know you support the Save Our Stages Act bill. Click Here: Your Voice Matters
  • Donate to the NIVA Emergency Relief Fund, which directly supports our most vulnerable venues experiencing catastrophic revenue loss. The fund will be administered by The Giving Back Fund; a separate non-profit that will oversee the application process for venues to receive grants from the Emergency Relief Fund.
Socially Sparked

The pandemic has placed an indefinite pause on live music, which has devastated the nation’s music scene, its independent venues and the countless musicians and service workers it employs. It is heartening to see the music industry, the artists, the businesses, and the fans rally together to Save Our Stages. We are forever Socially Sparked®! – tweet us @sosparkednews