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Small Clubs Are Where Rock History Is Made. How Many Will Survive? Small Clubs Are Where Rock History Is Made. How Many Will Survive?
(3 days later)
In March, as the coronavirus pandemic brought the concert world to a halt, Robert Gomez shut down his two clubs in Chicago, Subterranean and Beat Kitchen, without knowing when they would reopen. Speaking in the steady, gravelly tone of a hardened nightlife proprietor, he described divvying up leftovers for employees and boarding up the windows “so people don’t feel the temptation to go inside and grab a bottle.”In March, as the coronavirus pandemic brought the concert world to a halt, Robert Gomez shut down his two clubs in Chicago, Subterranean and Beat Kitchen, without knowing when they would reopen. Speaking in the steady, gravelly tone of a hardened nightlife proprietor, he described divvying up leftovers for employees and boarding up the windows “so people don’t feel the temptation to go inside and grab a bottle.”
“And then,” Gomez added, “I wept.”“And then,” Gomez added, “I wept.”
With touring suspended, artists have taken to livestreaming apps to reach their fans, and corporate giants like Live Nation and AEG have had to contend with the knotty cash-flow problem of billions of dollars in potential ticket refunds.With touring suspended, artists have taken to livestreaming apps to reach their fans, and corporate giants like Live Nation and AEG have had to contend with the knotty cash-flow problem of billions of dollars in potential ticket refunds.
Yet the shutdown has also highlighted the struggle of independent venues — the network of thousands of clubs and theaters that dot the national concert map. While operating well below the level of superstar arena tours, they are a vital stratum of the industry and, after putting on shows nightly for decades, represent part of music’s collective memory.Yet the shutdown has also highlighted the struggle of independent venues — the network of thousands of clubs and theaters that dot the national concert map. While operating well below the level of superstar arena tours, they are a vital stratum of the industry and, after putting on shows nightly for decades, represent part of music’s collective memory.
As mom-and-pop shops with often shallow resources, however, they are especially vulnerable in a starvation economy, and some have already surrendered. Last week Great Scott, a 44-year-old rock club in Boston, announced that it would not return.As mom-and-pop shops with often shallow resources, however, they are especially vulnerable in a starvation economy, and some have already surrendered. Last week Great Scott, a 44-year-old rock club in Boston, announced that it would not return.
“This is an existential crisis,” said Dayna Frank, the owner of First Avenue in Minneapolis, a regular spot for Prince, the Replacements and Hüsker Dü that opened in 1970. “Independent venues have no financial backstop. We do not have corporate parents. There are no financial resources we can turn to.”“This is an existential crisis,” said Dayna Frank, the owner of First Avenue in Minneapolis, a regular spot for Prince, the Replacements and Hüsker Dü that opened in 1970. “Independent venues have no financial backstop. We do not have corporate parents. There are no financial resources we can turn to.”
The loss of small concert spaces would be devastating to musicians, said Wesley Schultz of the alt-folk group the Lumineers.The loss of small concert spaces would be devastating to musicians, said Wesley Schultz of the alt-folk group the Lumineers.
“These clubs are where you cut your teeth and really develop who you are as an artist,” said Schultz, who readily recounts his band’s artistic baptism in small clubs in Denver and pass-the-hat rooms in New York. “If you took those away,” he added, “there’s no bridge between starting off and ending up somewhere else.”“These clubs are where you cut your teeth and really develop who you are as an artist,” said Schultz, who readily recounts his band’s artistic baptism in small clubs in Denver and pass-the-hat rooms in New York. “If you took those away,” he added, “there’s no bridge between starting off and ending up somewhere else.”
To save their businesses, more than 1,200 venues and promoters have formed an advocacy group, the National Independent Venue Association, with Frank as its board president.To save their businesses, more than 1,200 venues and promoters have formed an advocacy group, the National Independent Venue Association, with Frank as its board president.
Like other small companies, the venue operators say that Congress’s initial relief bills, like the $2 trillion CARES Act, were ill-suited to their business. Three-quarters of loan funds, for example, must go to payroll expenses within two months — though many promoters have had to furlough their employees, and worry it may be half a year before they have another show to staff. The new trade group has retained Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld, the powerhouse lobbying firm, and its requests for lawmakers include tax relief and more flexible loan programs.Like other small companies, the venue operators say that Congress’s initial relief bills, like the $2 trillion CARES Act, were ill-suited to their business. Three-quarters of loan funds, for example, must go to payroll expenses within two months — though many promoters have had to furlough their employees, and worry it may be half a year before they have another show to staff. The new trade group has retained Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld, the powerhouse lobbying firm, and its requests for lawmakers include tax relief and more flexible loan programs.
Back home, though, most are nervously watching the calendar and patching together support for furloughed employees through T-shirt sales and GoFundMe campaigns.Back home, though, most are nervously watching the calendar and patching together support for furloughed employees through T-shirt sales and GoFundMe campaigns.
In interviews with 11 independent proprietors, most said they felt crippled by uncertainty about what lies ahead. Without some form of government aid, many said, they would go out of business in six months to a year.In interviews with 11 independent proprietors, most said they felt crippled by uncertainty about what lies ahead. Without some form of government aid, many said, they would go out of business in six months to a year.
Even with support, the industry overall has little idea what a post-Covid-19 concert world would entail — and whether fans would ever feel comfortable standing shoulder-to-shoulder again.Even with support, the industry overall has little idea what a post-Covid-19 concert world would entail — and whether fans would ever feel comfortable standing shoulder-to-shoulder again.
“We’re just walking in a dark tunnel — we don’t know where this is going to end,” said Chad Rodgers, whose family owns Cain’s Ballroom in Tulsa, Okla., which has hosted concerts since the early 1930s ranging from Bob Wills, the king of Western swing, to the Sex Pistols.“We’re just walking in a dark tunnel — we don’t know where this is going to end,” said Chad Rodgers, whose family owns Cain’s Ballroom in Tulsa, Okla., which has hosted concerts since the early 1930s ranging from Bob Wills, the king of Western swing, to the Sex Pistols.
The musical legacy of the nation’s oldest clubs may be as immense as that of any arena or opera house. But that does not protect them from losses when their rooms are dark.The musical legacy of the nation’s oldest clubs may be as immense as that of any arena or opera house. But that does not protect them from losses when their rooms are dark.
“Will we be open in a month? Six months?” asked Christine Karayan of the Troubadour in West Hollywood, Calif., which opened in 1957 and was pivotal to the California singer-songwriter scene of the 1970s.“Will we be open in a month? Six months?” asked Christine Karayan of the Troubadour in West Hollywood, Calif., which opened in 1957 and was pivotal to the California singer-songwriter scene of the 1970s.
“Will the Troubadour be just a footnote to history?” Karayan added. “I don’t want to it to go down on my watch, but seemingly that might be the case.”“Will the Troubadour be just a footnote to history?” Karayan added. “I don’t want to it to go down on my watch, but seemingly that might be the case.”
Frank recounted crying through an artist’s sound check at First Avenue on March 12, “knowing this was going to be the last show for a very long time.”Frank recounted crying through an artist’s sound check at First Avenue on March 12, “knowing this was going to be the last show for a very long time.”
The pinch is felt at outdoor venues, too. Shahida Mausi, whose company, the Right Productions, runs the 6,000-seat Aretha Franklin Amphitheater in Detroit, said that deposits have already been paid to many artists for the summer season, and that her company has already sold tickets to 16 shows — which may well have to be refunded.The pinch is felt at outdoor venues, too. Shahida Mausi, whose company, the Right Productions, runs the 6,000-seat Aretha Franklin Amphitheater in Detroit, said that deposits have already been paid to many artists for the summer season, and that her company has already sold tickets to 16 shows — which may well have to be refunded.
To stay afloat, and distract from gloom, operators have gotten scrappily creative. In Wichita, Kan., Adam Hartke turned his club Wave into an ad hoc food-delivery hub for local farms.To stay afloat, and distract from gloom, operators have gotten scrappily creative. In Wichita, Kan., Adam Hartke turned his club Wave into an ad hoc food-delivery hub for local farms.
Will Eastman, the owner of U Street Music Hall, a dance club in Washington, started selling T-shirts, which became an unexpected hit — the 700 sold in the last two weeks has provided enough cash to extend the club’s life a month longer than he’d estimated.Will Eastman, the owner of U Street Music Hall, a dance club in Washington, started selling T-shirts, which became an unexpected hit — the 700 sold in the last two weeks has provided enough cash to extend the club’s life a month longer than he’d estimated.
“Every time we get an order,” Eastman said, “it’s like someone tapping on your shoulder, saying, ‘We remember you guys, and at the other end of this we’re going to be there for a show.’”“Every time we get an order,” Eastman said, “it’s like someone tapping on your shoulder, saying, ‘We remember you guys, and at the other end of this we’re going to be there for a show.’”
Gomez, Subterranean’s owner, said he was recently accepted for a loan through the $660 billion Paycheck Protection Program. But he has concerns about that program’s complicated terms, and said he had continued to mine his network for other contributions.Gomez, Subterranean’s owner, said he was recently accepted for a loan through the $660 billion Paycheck Protection Program. But he has concerns about that program’s complicated terms, and said he had continued to mine his network for other contributions.
“I feel like that guy on the end of the ramp with the sign,” Gomez said. “I’ve been here for 25 years, giving nonprofits the room for free to support their cause. Now I’m on the other side, where I’m emailing nonprofits — anybody — saying, ‘Can you help?’”“I feel like that guy on the end of the ramp with the sign,” Gomez said. “I’ve been here for 25 years, giving nonprofits the room for free to support their cause. Now I’m on the other side, where I’m emailing nonprofits — anybody — saying, ‘Can you help?’”
Updated June 5, 2020Updated June 5, 2020
A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study.
The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April.The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April.
Mass protests against police brutality that have brought thousands of people onto the streets in cities across America are raising the specter of new coronavirus outbreaks, prompting political leaders, physicians and public health experts to warn that the crowds could cause a surge in cases. While many political leaders affirmed the right of protesters to express themselves, they urged the demonstrators to wear face masks and maintain social distancing, both to protect themselves and to prevent further community spread of the virus. Some infectious disease experts were reassured by the fact that the protests were held outdoors, saying the open air settings could mitigate the risk of transmission.Mass protests against police brutality that have brought thousands of people onto the streets in cities across America are raising the specter of new coronavirus outbreaks, prompting political leaders, physicians and public health experts to warn that the crowds could cause a surge in cases. While many political leaders affirmed the right of protesters to express themselves, they urged the demonstrators to wear face masks and maintain social distancing, both to protect themselves and to prevent further community spread of the virus. Some infectious disease experts were reassured by the fact that the protests were held outdoors, saying the open air settings could mitigate the risk of transmission.
Exercise researchers and physicians have some blunt advice for those of us aiming to return to regular exercise now: Start slowly and then rev up your workouts, also slowly. American adults tended to be about 12 percent less active after the stay-at-home mandates began in March than they were in January. But there are steps you can take to ease your way back into regular exercise safely. First, “start at no more than 50 percent of the exercise you were doing before Covid,” says Dr. Monica Rho, the chief of musculoskeletal medicine at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago. Thread in some preparatory squats, too, she advises. “When you haven’t been exercising, you lose muscle mass.” Expect some muscle twinges after these preliminary, post-lockdown sessions, especially a day or two later. But sudden or increasing pain during exercise is a clarion call to stop and return home.Exercise researchers and physicians have some blunt advice for those of us aiming to return to regular exercise now: Start slowly and then rev up your workouts, also slowly. American adults tended to be about 12 percent less active after the stay-at-home mandates began in March than they were in January. But there are steps you can take to ease your way back into regular exercise safely. First, “start at no more than 50 percent of the exercise you were doing before Covid,” says Dr. Monica Rho, the chief of musculoskeletal medicine at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago. Thread in some preparatory squats, too, she advises. “When you haven’t been exercising, you lose muscle mass.” Expect some muscle twinges after these preliminary, post-lockdown sessions, especially a day or two later. But sudden or increasing pain during exercise is a clarion call to stop and return home.
States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people.States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people.
Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks.Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks.
Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days.Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days.
If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.)If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.)
Taking one’s temperature to look for signs of fever is not as easy as it sounds, as “normal” temperature numbers can vary, but generally, keep an eye out for a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If you don’t have a thermometer (they can be pricey these days), there are other ways to figure out if you have a fever, or are at risk of Covid-19 complications.Taking one’s temperature to look for signs of fever is not as easy as it sounds, as “normal” temperature numbers can vary, but generally, keep an eye out for a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If you don’t have a thermometer (they can be pricey these days), there are other ways to figure out if you have a fever, or are at risk of Covid-19 complications.
The C.D.C. has recommended that all Americans wear cloth masks if they go out in public. This is a shift in federal guidance reflecting new concerns that the coronavirus is being spread by infected people who have no symptoms. Until now, the C.D.C., like the W.H.O., has advised that ordinary people don’t need to wear masks unless they are sick and coughing. Part of the reason was to preserve medical-grade masks for health care workers who desperately need them at a time when they are in continuously short supply. Masks don’t replace hand washing and social distancing.The C.D.C. has recommended that all Americans wear cloth masks if they go out in public. This is a shift in federal guidance reflecting new concerns that the coronavirus is being spread by infected people who have no symptoms. Until now, the C.D.C., like the W.H.O., has advised that ordinary people don’t need to wear masks unless they are sick and coughing. Part of the reason was to preserve medical-grade masks for health care workers who desperately need them at a time when they are in continuously short supply. Masks don’t replace hand washing and social distancing.
If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others.If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others.
If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested.If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested.
The question of when — and how — to reopen is tormenting the entire concert business. The wider entertainment world, which includes Broadway theaters as well as rock clubs, is usually in the last phase of any official reopening plan, including the one for New York announced by Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo this week.The question of when — and how — to reopen is tormenting the entire concert business. The wider entertainment world, which includes Broadway theaters as well as rock clubs, is usually in the last phase of any official reopening plan, including the one for New York announced by Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo this week.
Club owners have floated plans for privacy shields and more open table configurations. Michael Dorf of City Winery, which has 10 locations around the country, expects that room capacities will be reduced, but mused on whether there could be ways to squeeze a few more people in the door.Club owners have floated plans for privacy shields and more open table configurations. Michael Dorf of City Winery, which has 10 locations around the country, expects that room capacities will be reduced, but mused on whether there could be ways to squeeze a few more people in the door.
“Maybe there’s going to be the antibody section,” Dorf said, “where people are closer together than they are in the rest of the room.”“Maybe there’s going to be the antibody section,” Dorf said, “where people are closer together than they are in the rest of the room.”
Hartke, in Wichita, pointed out that the touring network is so interconnected that a venue in one city could not realistically operate if other parts of the country remained closed. “If there’s a hot spot in Denver or Dallas or Kansas City,” he said, “then we’re not going to be able to route a tour through Wichita.”Hartke, in Wichita, pointed out that the touring network is so interconnected that a venue in one city could not realistically operate if other parts of the country remained closed. “If there’s a hot spot in Denver or Dallas or Kansas City,” he said, “then we’re not going to be able to route a tour through Wichita.”
And the signals from audiences are not promising so far. A recent poll by Reuters/Ipsos found that only about 40 percent of Americans would be willing to attend sports or entertainment events before a vaccine was available.And the signals from audiences are not promising so far. A recent poll by Reuters/Ipsos found that only about 40 percent of Americans would be willing to attend sports or entertainment events before a vaccine was available.
What kind of pull small venues will have in Washington is an open question. So far the trade group is being funded entirely by contributions from three small ticketing firms.What kind of pull small venues will have in Washington is an open question. So far the trade group is being funded entirely by contributions from three small ticketing firms.
Meanwhile, a group of major live-entertainment companies — including Live Nation, AEG, the Broadway League and Feld Entertainment, which puts on family events like “Disney on Ice” and “Sesame Street Live!” — have circulated their own letter on Capitol Hill seeking aid for the industry.Meanwhile, a group of major live-entertainment companies — including Live Nation, AEG, the Broadway League and Feld Entertainment, which puts on family events like “Disney on Ice” and “Sesame Street Live!” — have circulated their own letter on Capitol Hill seeking aid for the industry.
On a local level, though, many venues said they had developed deep connections in business and among political leaders, and trumpet their role as economic multipliers. Still, they sometimes have to contend with stereotypes about running rock ’n’ roll businesses, said Barrie Buck, the owner of the 40 Watt Club in Athens, Ga., which has nurtured classic bands like R.E.M. and the B-52’s.On a local level, though, many venues said they had developed deep connections in business and among political leaders, and trumpet their role as economic multipliers. Still, they sometimes have to contend with stereotypes about running rock ’n’ roll businesses, said Barrie Buck, the owner of the 40 Watt Club in Athens, Ga., which has nurtured classic bands like R.E.M. and the B-52’s.
“Every once in a while,” Buck said, “I have to say to the powers that be, ‘Listen, I’m not trying to get college kids drunk. We’re trying to put on excellent shows here, as are all of our friends and neighbors.’ They get it when you explain to them the economic engine that the music scene in our town is a part of.”“Every once in a while,” Buck said, “I have to say to the powers that be, ‘Listen, I’m not trying to get college kids drunk. We’re trying to put on excellent shows here, as are all of our friends and neighbors.’ They get it when you explain to them the economic engine that the music scene in our town is a part of.”
Frank, of First Avenue, said the indies had “never tried to sell our industry before,” but was optimistic that Washington would recognize their cultural and economic significance — and then that the music would return.Frank, of First Avenue, said the indies had “never tried to sell our industry before,” but was optimistic that Washington would recognize their cultural and economic significance — and then that the music would return.
“All I can hope for,” she said, “is when this nightmare is to be over, to be hanging out at a show.”“All I can hope for,” she said, “is when this nightmare is to be over, to be hanging out at a show.”