The Music Forward Foundation announced today that the Crew Nation Global Relief Fund has raised $15 million to support live music crews who have been affected by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The money raised so far is able to help 15,000 crew members across 36 countries who were impacted by the rescheduled or cancelled shows scheduled to take place through June.
With concerts and festivals still largely on pause, there are hundreds of thousands of crew members who still need help as they see their work interrupted through what is normally the core summer concert season and through the remainder of the shutdown. The fund hopes to double its impact and raise at least $30 million so that it can continue providing support for these independent workers who are the backbone of the live music industry.
Crew members spend years perfecting their specialty to create unforgettable memories and are highly skilled and formally educated in their craft. They include lighting technicians, sound engineers, stage designers and builders, and many others. In addition to those who are employed by tours or promoters, many are self-employed or typically work for independent venues and vendors on a show-by-show basis, sparking overwhelming demand from across the industry at all levels. They are an integral part of live shows, which in turn fuel local economies by promoting consumer activity across restaurants, lodging, transportation and more. Crew Nation aims to provide these valued workers with support so they can sustain through the shutdown and continue their impactful career contributions to concerts and local communities once concerts return.
The fund was launched with an initial $5 million donation from Live Nation, which then matched the next $5 million in donations from artists, fans and employees for a total contribution of $10 million from the company.
“Concerts wouldn’t be possible without the many crew members working behind the scenes every step of the way and we want to make sure that as independent workers, they get the support they need from both the industry and the government,” said Michael Rapino, President and CEO, Live Nation. “Live Nation is proud to be among the many artists, donors, partners and fans who are helping drive this mission forward and support those who make the magic of live possible.”
“The support we have received has been overwhelming, but the number of people who still need assistance is staggering and our work is nowhere near done,” said Nurit Smith, Executive Director, Music Forward Foundation. “The artist community has been so incredibly supportive and creative, utilizing their resources and platforms to make personal donations and drum up contributions through the release of exclusive merch, new music, live streamed performances and much more, and our hope is that it continues to keep rolling.”
“I just wanted to offer a heartfelt thank you for your support and what you are doing for people. It's most appreciated and thank you very much for helping out all the crew out there in limbo at the moment. It's nice to know someone's got our backs.” James Orr, Northcote, Australia, Keyboard Technician, Dead Can Dance
“For myself and many others, unemployment has not yet come through. As such, this grant will go a long way for my household. On behalf of myself and my spouse, I just want to say thank you for this assistance. We both look forward to helping provide unforgettable musical experiences to patrons once again, and getting back to the most rewarding industry in the world.” William C., Hesperia, CA, Operations & Experience, EDC
BUY MERCH: Crew Nation also just dropped a new line of summer merch, with 100% of proceeds benefiting the fund. To buy merch, visit https://crewnationstore.com/
DONATE: Contributions up to $80,000 USD can be made directly via PayPal. Any larger gifts can be coordinated by contacting crewnation@hobmusicforward.org.
APPLY FOR RELIEF: The fund is accepting applications as shows would have played off to meet the current demand for missed income. To check the current application window and apply, visit
https://www.livenationentertainment.com/relief-fund/.
On behalf of grant recipients, the Crew Nation Fund would especially like to thank the artists who have generously contributed donations:
o Aerosmith
o Anderson .Paak
o awolnation
o Backstreet Boys
o BTS x Big Hit Entertainment
o Cher
o Coldplay
o Depeche Mode
o From Ashes to New
o Guns N’ Roses
o John Mayer
o JohnnySwim
o Journey
o Justin Timberlake
o Kesha
o Kid Rock
o KISS
o Kygo
o Lamb of God
o Metallica
o Motörhead
o Pantera
o Robbie Williams
o Sum 41
o Take That
o Third Eye Blind
o twenty one pilots
o U2
o Westlife
o & many more
We’d also like to thank the partners and brands for their support, and for coming up with creative ways to encourage donations. Thank you to:
o Adobe
o Atlantic Records
o C3
o CMA
o Collectiv Presents
o Danny & Maria Clinch
o Electric Feel Entertainment
o Fearless Records
o Fender
o Fenway Sessions
o Gildan
o Goldbelly X Trejo’s Tacos
o Governors Ball
o JAM Pedals
o Live From The Drive-In
o Lollapalooza
o Reverb
o Loud Pictures
o Shaky Knees
o The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon
o Yeti
o & many more
To find out more about ways to get involved, donate, buy merchandise or apply for relief, head to: livenation.com/crewnation.