How would you like it if there were only one or two radio stations to listen to? No reason to flip the radio dial to the left or the right, just two big corporations deciding what you should listen to. Musical diversity disappearing as air time is dedicated to what is popular. Local and new music minimized in lieu of market research vetted artists that we should all “like”.
The above scenario is exactly what Denver and other cities are facing when it comes to live music. Independent music venues are struggling to survive the COVID-19 pandemic. Music venues were the first to close, and will be the last to fully reopen. Radio silence happens when stations in an area are asked to stop transmitting for safety or security reasons. Denver independent music venues did just that, going dark back on March 16th to help keep the communities they share safe and healthy. Since then Denver has already lost three independent music venues. 3 Kings Tavern, Live at Jacks, and La Cour could not survive the COVID-19 pandemic. Not only were these businesses lost, the communities that these venues anchored will also likely be negatively impacted. It is estimated that for every $1 spent on a ticket at small venues, a total of $12 in economic activity is generated within communities on restaurants, hotels, taxis, and retail establishments. There is also a ripple effect for local musicians who lose their platform to connect to audiences and make a living.
As of Friday music and event venues were reopened at 25% capacity or a maximum of 50 people, maintaining at least 6 feet between parties. These capacity reductions are required for safety as Colorado prepares to move to Phase 3 of reopening after statewide COVID-19 regulations went into effect. Full capacity concerts and live events may not be possible until a vaccine is readily available to the public, which could be many months away, if not longer. Until that time, live event venues will remain shuttered or operating at minimal capacity leaving employees without jobs and businesses without revenue.
Punk Rock Saves Lives – a non-profit organization helping focus on health concerns, equal rights, human rights, and more – along with Ska Brewing knew something had to be done. PRSL, Ska Brewing, and local bands are joining together for a virtual benefit to raise monies for independent music venues and their employees. On Saturday June 27th PRSL will host a livestream benefit featuring performances from Granny Tweed, Brent Loveday & the Dirty Dollars, Sputnik Slovenia, People Corrupting People, and others TBA. So stock up those fridges with adult beverages and join us virtually from 6:30 – 10:30 Mountain for a hard rocking hootenanny that is sure to please. Donate what you can, maybe the cost of the ticket from a postponed show, it’s our turn to support the local music venues that have provided us with great music for all these years. As Dave Thibodeau , President/Co-Founder of Ska said so aptly, “Sure we’re a brewery, but indie music is truly at the heart of what we do and these venues are the last bastion of the path that brought us here—without independent music venues, there would be no Ska Brewing, and they deserve every ounce of support we can muster.”
