COVID-19 has decimated a constantly growing amount of businesses in 2020, especially the music industry. Not only have the artists been impacted, but everyone that provides support as well. With so many people in dire straits, help needs to come from all sides. Fortunately, some companies have started to provide charity to support those that have always supported them.
Food servers, bartenders, security, custodians, engineers, and stagehands, are just a few of the people that help to create concerts and music festivals. Electric Daisy Carnival, for example, takes a staff of over 5000 people to bring the monster of a festival to life. With the 2020 music season effectively over, many of these individuals are struggling to make ends meet. In response to this, Live Nation launched Crew Nation in late March of this year, a charity created to support impacted tour staff.
“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. 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.”
– Live Nation
Live Nation committed $10 million towards the Crew Nation fund, providing $5 million directly and then pledging to match dollar for dollar the next $5 million donated. Artists and music companies have also thrown their support behind the initiative. Fender has brought together a group of Master Builders and artists, with all proceeds going towards Crew Nation. Five guitars are Masterbuilt with six other guitars individually signed by Jeff Beck, Flea, Tom Morello, Brad Paisley, Duff McKagan, and Eric Clapton. Support for Crew Nation has also received international attention, with Korean pop superstars BTS personally donating $1 million to the fund.
For individuals impacted by music events being canceled, you can submit an application for relief with Crew Nation. Applicants who are selected, determined on a need basis, will receive a one-time grant of $1,000. Applications are currently not being accepted, but they should be (hopefully) starting up soon. Live Nation is not particularly known for its charity, more so its enormous fees and refund policy so egregious that Congress had to step in, but at least they are helping now. Remember, it’s never too late to donate and help those in need.
*Featured Image via Live Nation*
