The 9:30 Club and a handful of other music venues in Greater Washington have formed a new national group of independent performance halls and music promoters with plans to lobby Congress and the White House for federal assistance in the face of the coronavirus crisis.
With large gatherings forbidden throughout the country, the live music industry has ground to a halt, closing revenue streams and putting things like rent and payroll payments in jeopardy. More than 450 venues across the U.S. are banding together under the new group called the National Independent Venue Association to present one voice to lawmakers.
“Our first order of business is to push to secure federal funding to preserve the ecosystem of live music venues and touring artists,” said Dayna Frank, owner of First Avenue in Minneapolis — the venue made famous by Prince’s “Purple Rain” — and a NIVA board member.
The group said it has received funding from ticketing company See Tickets and ticket exchange…
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