Senator Chuck Schumer & James Murphy Discuss Save Our Stages Act

Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and LCD Soundsystem frontman James Murphy were among those who participated in a press conference outside of Brooklyn venue Baby’s All Right on Tuesday to discuss the importance of the Save Our Stages Act. Schumer, the U.S. Senator Minority Leader confirmed he is co-sponsoring the effort to provide relief for independent live venues, promoters, comedy clubs and festivals suffering in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and John Cornyn (R-TX) introduced the Save Our Stages Act last month, while a companion bill in the House is led by Representatives ​Peter Welch (D-VT) and Roger Williams (R-TX). “Independent venues, like theaters and concert halls, are the beating heart of New York’s cultural life and a driving force in the economy. These local businesses were among the first to shut down at the start of the pandemic, are struggling to stay afloat, and will be among the last to reopen,” said Senator Schumer. “That’s why it’s so important to provide dedicated federal assistance to independent venues so when it is safe, we can gather again for music, comedy, theater and other live performances in venues that have been around for generations. I’m proud to co-sponsor the Save Our Stages Act, and I’ll fight to include federal funding for independent venues in any coronavirus relief legislation.”

“These venues are places that occupy parts of cities that nobody wants to be in when they start. They fill in the gaps and communities spring up around them,” added James Murphy. “They take those warehouses that nobody wanted to be in and they build places that foster the most diverse music scene in the world. Thank you to the venues that let me play and let me work for the 30 years I’ve lived here. We’re not going to be able to rebuild these from zero. You can’t knock out all the mom and pops and think that more mom and pops will spring up. If we knock them out, it’s just chains. Write your senators and ask them to support this bill – it’s critical, or this whole industry is going to go away without it. The very nature of being independent means these people, these centers, don’t have the kind of voice that bigger companies do have – they need your voice, so please do your best to support them.”

Live music fans are urged to support organizations like the National Independent Venue Association (NIVA) and the National Independent Talent Organization (NITO) to help insure the industry’s ecosystem survives the pandemic. Head to SaveOurStages.com to tell your legislators to save independent music venues.

Watch the full press conference below: