The National Independent Venue Association (NIVA) and YouTube have announced a three-day virtual music festival with exclusive intimate performances by 35 artists on October 16-18 to benefit the NIVA Emergency Relief Fund.

At the same time, it’s hoping to amplify the message of NIVA’s Save Our Stages advocacy efforts.

Foo Fighters, Rise Against, the Roots, Miley Cyrus, Dave Matthews, Portugal. The Man and Brittany Howard are among the artists taking part in Save Our Stages Fest or #SOSFest, recording live in more than 25 independent concert venues across the U.S.

COVID-19 pandemic could shut some music venues for good

It’s now been seven months since most independent venues, concert halls, comedy clubs, theaters, and festivals in the U.S. learned that they would be closing indefinitely.

NIVA says 90% of independent music venues are on the verge of closing forever.

The association has launched the NIVA Emergency Relief Fund to try and keep that from happening.

Hosted by Reggie Watts, the virtual festival also features sets by Brothers Osborne, Dillon Francis, Black Pumas, G-Eazy, Jason Mraz, Kelsea Ballerini, Little Big Town, Leon Bridges, the Lumineers, Macklemore, Major Lazer, Marchmello, Demi Lovato, Phoebe Bridgers, Reba McEntire, Monica, Nathaniel Rateliff, the Revivalists, Sebastian Yatra, YG and more.

This is a critical time for live concerts and events

In a press release, Lyor Cohen, Global Head of Music at YouTube, said, “Live concerts are the heart and soul of the music industry so it’s critical we do everything we can to save independent music venues.”

NIVA’s Stephen Sternschein, the executive producer of #SOSFEST, also spoke of the importance of the festival in that same press release.

“Our nation’s most-loved venues are fighting to hold on because they’ve had no revenue since they’ve been shuttered by the pandemic in March,” he said.

“It’s been brutal to watch as scores of them go under through no fault of their own while we continue to push for the Save Our Stages Act to pass. #SOSFEST will help save many of our nation’s most vulnerable and treasured venues by providing a lifeline to make it through this devastating time.”

Stephen Chilton owns the Rebel Lounge in Phoenix and serves on the board at NIVA.

“It is extremely unclear now when any aid might come from Washington,” he said. “All of us at NIVA are hoping SOS Fest can help bridge the gap and save these venues until more meaningful aid can come from D.C.

Chilton is part of the team at NIVA that’s been with YouTube since June developing SOS Fest.

“We are extremely grateful for all of the time, resources, and expertise YouTube is putting into helping save America’s independent venues,” he says. “This festival wouldn’t be possible without a heartfelt and significant commitment from YouTube.”  

How to watch #SOSFest

Here’s how to watch the festival in four easy steps.

1. Subscribe to the NIVA YouTube Channel.

2.  Set a reminder on the NIVA #SOSFEST channel.

3. Tune in on October 16-18 to catch exclusive performances for free.

4. Donate to the NIVA Emergency Relief Fund.

Reach the reporter at [email protected] or 602-444-4495. Follow him on Twitter @EdMasley.

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