English

DURING THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC, HERE’S HOW YOU CAN SUPPORT NIGHTCLUBS AND MUSIC VENUES

#DONATE #SHARE #SIGN #HELP

Words : SAE CHANG

Due to the global disruption caused by the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, nightclubs and live music venues worldwide are currently closed. Many are under threat of not reopening at all. We are asking our readers — if they can — to support clubs and other nightlife causes that are under threat due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We have curated a support directory below, demonstrating the ways you can help. This list will be updated as new avenues for help and support emerge. If you have a suggestion for us to include in this directory? Please send to [email protected]

1. DONATE

• London’s Village Underground has set up a crowdfunding page, which you can support here
• Berlin’s Wilde Renate has set up a crowdfunder to support them and their staff through this period
• Edinburghs’ Sneaky Pete’s has created a crowdfunder to help to support their staff during this period of closure
• Help Musicians are providing exceptional support to music industry professionsals during this period. Please consider making a donation to support their work
• Berlin insitution Watergate has set up a funding page to save the club, which they say is on the brink of collapse
• Members of Berlin’s club community have launched the Nightlife Emergency Fund, which you can learn more about here.
• Metro Chicago, the concert hall which houses three venues including hallowed club, smart bar, has launched a fundraiser for its staff amid the coronavirus pandemic. Learn more about that here.
• New York clubs Elsewhere, House Of Yes and Good Room, as well as Brooklyn independent radio station, The Lot, have each launched fundraisers for their staff
• Berlin’s nightlife scene has united for a broadcast charity fundraiser from some of the city’s leading clubs. You can donate here.
• Halcyon has started a GoFund Me to support the venue in exchange for gifts
• London’s Dalston Superstore launch fundraiser for its “freelance community”
• Berlin’s Anomalie has set up a crowdfunding page, which you can support here

2. SHARE YOUR STORY

• If you are involved in the late night industry in the UK, please consider filling out this survey of industry professionals from NTIA
• New York City’s Office for Nightlife have created a survey for nightlife workers, freelancers and businesses in the city impacted by COVID-19
• The Association for Independent Promoters (AIP) have created a survey to measure the needs of UK live music and club promoters in order to prioritise support needs across the sector

3. SIGN A PETITION

• Sign this change.org petition requesting federal aid for the events industry in the United States
• Sign this UK government petition requesting economic assistance to the events industry

4. HELP IN OTHER WAYS

• Legendary club Bootshaus is closed until further notice. But you can still support them in this difficult time by visiting their merchandise store
• London club Studio 338, currently closed due to the coronavirus pandemic, are turning their focus outwards as they work to turn the venue into a temporary foodback for struggling families. Take a look and consider supporting however you can
• Brazilian club Green Valley are requesting donations to their favoured charity, Doedance.com.br
• Covid Mutual Aid UK is a group of volunteer supporting local community groups organising mutual aid throughout the covid-19 outbreak in the UK. Check out their website to see how you can help
• Buy music on Bandcamp. Last Friday, 20th March, the music sharing platform waived its own revenue share to  in turn offering a bigger payout to record labels and their artists. Electronic labels such as Hyperdub,UIQ and Local Action are continuing to offer artists 100% of revenue earned from purchases. Lobster Theremin has shared three brand new compilations on Bandcamp, raising money for mental health charity Mind, and homeless charity Shelter. Money from the records will also go to “an independent fund for a number of contributing artists to help give back to the music and wider community during these uncertain and strange times.”
• Spotify has revealed a Music Relief initiative for artists affected by the coronavirus pandemic, which ‘recommends verified organisations that offer financial relief to those in the music community most in need around the world’. Learn more here.