YG, Finneas Kick Off This Weekend’s Save Our Stages Festival
The three-day virtual event supports independent venues across the US.
A full schedule has been announced for this weekend’s Save Our Stages festival, which will include performances by the likes of YG, Finneas, Reba McEntire, and The Roots. The three-day event, kicking off Friday, October 16, will feature over 30 performances – live-streamed from 26 independent venues across the country, including such historic sites as the Apollo, the Whisky A Go-Go, and the Ryman Auditorium.
The festival, which is a joint partnership between The National Independent Venue Association (NIVA) and YouTube, will help support the country’s independent venues that are shuttered, amid the coronavirus.
According to NIVA’s website, 90% of the country’s independent music venues are on the verge of closing forever. In response, the NIVA Emergency Relief Fund was created to raise money to save these hallowed concert halls from permanent closure.
#SOSFest will also raise awareness of the Save Our Stages act that was introduced to the Senate in July. The bill would authorize the Small Business Administration to make grants to eligible venues and promoters, helping them cover rent, payroll, and other necessary costs.
The line-up, which is available to view on Save Our Stages’ website, will also include Brittany Howard, performing at Nashville’ Ryman Auditorium, Foo Fighters at Los Angeles’ Troubadour, Nathaniel Rateliff at the Boulder Theater, Miley Cyrus at West Hollywood’s Whisky A Go-Go, The Revitalists at Tipitina’s in New Orleans, and Rise Against at the Metro in Chicago.
The star-studded roster also includes Dave Matthews, Monica, The Lumineers, Phoebe Bridgers, Major Lazer, Portugal. The Man, Jason Mraz, and Leon Bridges, among many others. Comedian and musician Reggie Watts will serve as the event’s host.
Each set will be available to stream on NIVA’s YouTube channel, as well as on each of the participating artists’ official channels. While the entire festival is free to view, donations to the NIVA Emergency Relief Fund will be strongly encouraged.
For more information on #SOSFest, visit the official website.
