Lizzo, Stevie Nicks, Gwen Stefani and a slew of other artists and executives have signed a letter from the Music Artists Coalition asking President Donald Trump and Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin to provide financial relief to the music community and ease the “existential threat” posed by the coronavirus pandemic. (Per Variety, a similar letter was also sent to congressional leaders.)
The letter specifically seeks support for the “hundreds of thousands of people whose livelihoods depend on the live music business.” The coronavirus has wreaked havoc on the live music industry, with a ton of major tours and festivals — including Coachella, Bonnaroo and South by Southwest — either canceled or postponed. While cutting down on mass public gatherings is crucial to stemming the spread of COVID-19, it’s also wiped out a source of income for many people who work on tours and festivals behind the scenes.
Other artists who signed the letter include John Mayer, Diplo, Maren Morris, Dave Matthews, Lionel Richie, Little Big Town, Mark Ronson, Meghan Trainor, Sheryl Crow, Charli XCX, the Doobie Brothers, Tim McGraw, Troye Sivan, Joe Walsh, Don Henley, Def Leppard and Idina Menzel.
“[T]he concert business is as drastically and negatively impacted as the airlines and the hospitality industries, despite a lack of media attention,” the letter states. “The men and women who work tirelessly to bring live music to fans are unable to work from home and have no alternative means of supporting themselves and their families… Concerts are not just about the headliner: the foundation of live music are the touring musicians, truck and bus drivers, stagehands, production teams, crews who handle lighting, sound, equipment, security, and so many others do not have any option for work as there are no live events for the foreseeable future.”
The letter concludes: “The music industry is facing an existential threat that is unprecedented — the touring business as we know it has disappeared without warning and without a safety net for hundreds of thousands of people. MAC believes the impacted people in the music industry are one of the groups most in need of government assistance.”
On Wednesday, the Recording Academy issued a similar letter to Congress, with a representative for the organization saying they’re interested in petitioning for “tax benefits, interest-free loans and direct support for small businesses and nonprofits.” President Donald Trump has so far signed one of what’s expected to be at least a handful of relief packages, some of which could provide direct financial payments to taxpayers.
MAC Letter
Dear President Trump and Secretary Mnuchin,
The Music Artists Coalition (MAC) appreciates the bipartisan efforts underway to address the severe economic impact on millions of Americans because of COVID-19. As economic relief efforts are finalized, MAC believes it is essential that support is reserved for the hundreds of thousands of people whose livelihoods depend on the live music business.
In compliance with CDC guidelines, all concerts and events have been canceled indefinitely. As a result, the concert business is as drastically and negatively impacted as the airlines and the hospitality industries, despite a lack of media attention. The men and women who work tirelessly to bring live music to fans are unable to work from home and have no alternative means of supporting themselves and their families.
The cancellation of concerts, tours, and festivals means that the musicians and crews who make every concert a special experience for music fans are now out of a job and have no other way to pay rent or put food on the table. Concerts are not just about the headliner: the foundation of live music are the touring musicians, truck and bus drivers, stagehands, production teams, crews who handle lighting, sound, equipment, security, and so many others do not have any option for work as there are no live events for the foreseeable future.
The cancellation of concerts, festivals, and tours has brought an abrupt end to income for hundreds of thousands of people. For these dedicated individuals, it is not an unwillingness, but an inability, to work, when all concerts, tours, and recording sessions are canceled or indefinitely postponed. While some concerts will be rescheduled, it is inevitable that many will be canceled and unable to find a venue in which to perform when this crisis has passed.
The music industry is facing an existential threat that is unprecedented – the touring business as we know it has disappeared without warning and without a safety net for hundreds of thousands of people. MAC believes the impacted people in the music industry are one of the groups most in need of government assistance.
Thank you for leading the fight to ensure Americans are able to pay their bills and survive these trying times.
Sincerely,
Adam Dorn
Adrianne Duncan
Alex Sugarman
Ali Harnell
Alicia Spillias
Aloe Blacc
Amy Lee (Evanescence)
Anderson .Paak
Anthony Rossomando
Anthony Russo
Ari Herstand
August Roads
BANKS
Ben Rector
Bernie Taupin
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club
Bloque
Boombox Cartel
Brandon Robert Young
Brian Lee
Burt Bacharach
Charli XCX
Chloe Flower
Clare Bowen
Cody Tarpley
Cold War Kids
Coran Capshaw
Crywolf
Danica Pinner
Danny Parker
Dark Water
Dave Matthews
David Brownstein
David Murillo
Def Leppard
Deva Mahal
Diplo
Don Henley
Drew Holcomb
Dustin O’Halloran
Elizabeth Crbe
Elliot Grofman
FIDLA
Gabe Rosales
Garrett Edson
George Ritter
Grady
Gwen Stefani
Harlan Silverman
Idina Menzel
Irving Azoff
J Ross Parrelli
Jack Quinn
JC Dwyer
JD Souther
Jean-Pierre Durand
Jeff Russo
Jeffrey Rivera
Jennifer Nettles
Jeremy Silver
Jerrod Bettis (p/k/a “Skins”)
Jim Cicconi
Joe Walsh
John Mayer
John Silva
Jon Levine
Jonny Pierce (p/k/a “The Drums”)
Jordan Bromley
Jordan Davis
Jordan Palmer
Julian Casablancas
Karen Fairchild
Kat Dahlia
Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds
Kenny Loggins
Kerry Brown
Kimber Kristy
Kito
Kristen Foster
Kristian Bush
KSHMR
Kyler England
Larkin Poe
Leslie Odom Jr
Lincoln Jesser
Linda Perry
Lionel Andie
Lionel Richie
Little Big Town
Lizzo
Lostboycrow
Louis Bell
Louis Schoorl
Lucie Silvas
Lucy Levinsohn
Lunchmoney Lewis
MAG
Mandy Dickson
Maren Morris
Mark Ronson
MAX
Meghan Trainor
Michelle Lewis
Mitch Allan
Moana Avvenenti
Morgan Kibby/White Sea
M-Phazes
Nancy Kuo
Nick Seeley
Niia
NoMBe
ODESZA
Omar Waqor
Pat Monahan
Paul Stanley
Pepe Aguilar
Pussy Riot
Randy Belculfine
Robert Longoria
Rory Andrew (p/k/a “Wynne”)
Saint Astonia
Sam Martin
Sammy Witte
Sara Bareilles
Shane McAnally
Sheryl Crow
Showtek
Sirah
Slash
Slightly Stoopid
Spoon
Steve Jordan
Steve Miller
Steve Perry
Stevie Nicks
Stint
Stone Temple Pilots
Susan Genco
T Collar
The Doobie Brothers
The White Buffalo
Tim Lillis
Tim McGraw
Tom Meredith
Troye Sivan
Verdine White
Walk Off The Earth
Zach Dawes
Zach Sutton