Live Nation launches ‘Crew Nation’ to bail out concert crews


Posted April 13, 2020 by coliseumsummit

The American ticket sales and distribution company Ticketmaster, is initially contributing $5m (£4m/€4.6m) to the fund to help support concert crews world over.

 
The American events promoter and venue operator based in Beverly Hills, California, in US – Live Nation – has got going with a new charity fund called Crew Nation to bail out the live industry’s workers whose lives have been left topsy-turvy due to the worsening-by-day coronavirus situation.

The live entertainment giant, who owns the American ticket sales and distribution company Ticketmaster, is initially contributing $5m (£4m/€4.6m) to the fund to help support concert crews world over. It will then match the next $5m committed by artistes, fans and employees.

Crew Nation is a global relief fund for the crew members/behind the scenes staff who make concerts possible.

A statement on the Live Nation website read, “Live music inspires millions around the world, but the concerts we all enjoy wouldn’t be possible without the countless crew members working behind the scenes. As COVID-19 puts concerts on pause, we want to extend a helping hand to the touring and venue crews who depend on shows to make a living. Crew Nation was created to do just that.”

The website statement further read, “Crew members are the backbone of the live music industry, and we hope you’ll join us in supporting them through this temporary intermission until we can once again unite millions around the world through the power of live music. Crew Nation is powered by Music Forward Foundation, a charitable 501c3 organization that will be administering the fund.”

The statement added, “Live Nation has committed $10 million to Crew Nation – contributing an initial $5 million to the fund, and then matching the next $5 million given by artistes, fans and employees dollar for dollar. Live Nation will get in touch with crew members whose income has already taken a hit following the cancellation or rescheduling of a Live Nation gig.”

Music Forward Foundation, which works for the cause of inclusivity in the industry, will be selecting recipients based on an objective determination of need. Employees of Live Nation will not be eligible to receive funding.

Music Forward empowers millennial to succeed and lead while celebrating the diversity of their voices and viewpoints.

Apart from this, Live Nation has unveiled plans to launch a livestream concert program as Covid-19 has brought the live experience on its knees.

The list features livestreams on social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter, as well as video streaming sites like Twitch and YouTube.

Live Nation further said on its website, “Just because we’re keeping our distance doesn’t mean the music has to stop. Join us daily for live streams from around the globe — follow artistes live from their homes as they share music, stories, and more.”

The statement further emphasized, “The Crew Nation fund is here to help support live music crews who have been directly impacted as shows are put on pause due to COVID-19. Crew like you are essential to the fabric of live touring. You work behind the scenes to help artistes and fans connect with the magic of live music, and Live Nation wants to ensure you are taken care of during this time.”

The statement added, “Crew Nation is designed to help all the backstage staff that help bring concerts to life including: Tour managers, production managers, riggers, sound engineers, backline techs, lighting directors/designers, special effects teams, carpenters, and more. Music Forward Foundation will be selecting recipients based on an objective determination of need.”

The Live Nation statement informed, “We want to get relief into the hands of crew who are already feeling the impact of this intermission period. Here’s how we plan to do that:

Live Nation will be reaching out to crew members from tours across the globe whose income has already been affected due to the cancellation or rescheduling of a Live Nation event.

We will be releasing an application for live music crews across the industry. Please check back for next steps.”
Artistes ranging from U2 and the Eagles, to Madonna, Justin Timberlake, Twenty One Pilots, and Lady Gaga have all lent their support to Crew Nation.

The coronavirus scene globally is getting grim by the day as death toll climbs past the 1 lakh mark – to date the coronavirus cases stand at 1,853,495 and the number of deaths – 114,254.

Continue to follow Coliseum for latest updates on venues business news. Coliseum is dedicated towards building the best global community of sports and entertainment venue executives and professionals creating better and more profitable venues.
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Categories Entertainment , Event
Tags charity fund , concerts , crews
Last Updated April 13, 2020