Along with artists, concert crews will undoubtedly feel the financial squeeze of the coronavirus pandemic in the coming months. Now, Live Nation has offered relief to those workers through creating a new charitable fund.
Yesterday (March 31), the promoter launched Crew Nation, a $10 million USD fund that will provide relief to concert workers who had concert, tour or festival gigs cancelled due to COVID-19.
Beneficiaries of the fund include "all the backstage staff that help bring concerts to life including: tour managers, production managers, riggers, sound engineers, backline techs, lighting directors/designers, special effects teams, carpenters and more."
"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," Live Nation said in a statement. "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. Crew Nation was created to do just that."
The promoter has made a direct $5 million donation directly to the fund, and will match $5 million in contributions by artists, fans and employees. Live Nation has also launched a merch line as part of its support, and you can find that here.
Music Forward Foundation, the nonprofit organization charged with administering the fund, will be selecting recipients based on determination of need.
The coming week will see Live Nation contact crew members from tours across the globe whose income has already been affected due to the cancellation or rescheduling of a Live Nation event. Other crews will be able to apply in in the near future.
Live Nation had previously called off all international tours on March 13. Follow Exclaim!'s list of music and film events affected by coronavirus.
Yesterday (March 31), the promoter launched Crew Nation, a $10 million USD fund that will provide relief to concert workers who had concert, tour or festival gigs cancelled due to COVID-19.
Beneficiaries of the fund include "all the backstage staff that help bring concerts to life including: tour managers, production managers, riggers, sound engineers, backline techs, lighting directors/designers, special effects teams, carpenters and more."
"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," Live Nation said in a statement. "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. Crew Nation was created to do just that."
The promoter has made a direct $5 million donation directly to the fund, and will match $5 million in contributions by artists, fans and employees. Live Nation has also launched a merch line as part of its support, and you can find that here.
Music Forward Foundation, the nonprofit organization charged with administering the fund, will be selecting recipients based on determination of need.
The coming week will see Live Nation contact crew members from tours across the globe whose income has already been affected due to the cancellation or rescheduling of a Live Nation event. Other crews will be able to apply in in the near future.
Live Nation had previously called off all international tours on March 13. Follow Exclaim!'s list of music and film events affected by coronavirus.
