The Save Live Events Now coalition petitioned the US government to expand the Save Our Stages Act to include live event workers.  

Live Nation, AEG Presents, and Oak View Group, the colossal forces behind live entertainment in the US,  have joined together to form the Save Live Events Now coalition to petition the US government for relief for live event workers and musicians who have been impacted by the shutdown of live events due to COVID-19 back in March.

According to the coalition, 90% of the 12 million industry workers employed by venues and businesses don’t qualify for support under the Save Our Stages and it’s estimated that 77% of live event workers have lost 100% of their income.

The coalition is calling for a number of measures including $600 a week in compensation; healthcare subsidies, including an expansion of COBRA to ensure that live events workers do not lose medical coverage; and changes to unemployment insurance to make life easier for live event workers

The bipartisan Save Our Stages Act, which was petitioned on Oct. 1 has now been stalled after President Trump announced that he would be walking away from any talks until after the Nov. 3 election.

“Live entertainment and in-person experiences play vital roles in stimulating our culture, communities, and local economies and venues are the centers that host and make that possible.” 

“Many venues are publicly owned because our society has recognized the important role they play, and now we need to extend that same acknowledgment to the millions of workers who are just as critical to the future of events.”

– Brad Mayne, CEO at International Association of Venue Managers

More than 20 companies have joined the coalition, including Music Artists Coalition (MAC), Feld Entertainment, Rhino, TAIT, Endeavor, Paradigm, SAG-AFTRA, Bandit Lites, Fullstop Management, Universal Music Group, and more.

This article was originally reported by IQ-Mag.

Written by Natalie Wicks Features