Spotify has announced a partnership with National Independent Venue Association, the organization behind the #SaveOurStages campaign and supporters of the Save Our Stages Act. NIVA is made up of three thousand venues across the U.S., who are advocating long term assistance for their industry, which they point out was “first to close” and “will be last to open”.
As we approach nine months of music venues being closed in most places due to the Covid-19 pandemic, NIVA is still waiting for Congress to pass the Save Our Stages Act. Spotify has stepped in to support NIVA in two ways. First, they donated half a million dollars to NIVA Emergency Relief Fund. Second, they spread awareness by posting messages on the marquees of thirty music venues across the U.S. Their messages include reminders of historic concerts that took place at each venue, with the message “#SaveOurStages” and “#2020Wrapped”.
Stephen Sternshein, co-founder of NIVA, said this about the partnership: “As 2020 draws to a close, the live music industry enters month nine of no shows, no income, no federal support, and ever-mounting debts. Music is what connects us all – as Spotify shows us, it’s what helped our friends, our families and our communities get through this tumultuous yearEveryone’s favorite artists started somewhere, and we’re immensely thankful to Spotify for helping us to tell these stories. The stories that artists like Bruce Springsteen, Lady Gaga, The Weeknd, The Strokes, and so many more began on the very stages that today are struggling to survive.”
Dan Brill, Global Group Creative Director at Spotify, also weighed in: “In a year that has taken on so many twists and turns, a first reaction might be to look forward and forget the challenging times. However, that would discount all of the amazing work that creators, fans, venues and activists have poured their hearts into this year. That’s why, instead of turning our backs on 2020, we wanted to give our appreciation for those who gave us hope — the people who, despite challenging circumstances, found ways to infuse magic into our world and give us hope for a better tomorrow.”
