COVID-19’s Toll on Independent Concert Venues

The fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic this past year has been economically devastating for nearly every industry and market, but it has hit the arts and entertainment sectors especially hard. The impacts of long-term lockdown and the resulting recession will stunt the entertainment industry for years to come. One market within the entertainment industry that has been especially upset, however, is live music. Due to the inability to properly practice social distancing in concert venues and the potential liability issues of hosting events that may result in the spread of COVID-19, many venues were one of the first businesses to close its doors in March 2020 and are likely to be one of the last to open. As a result, many small and independent venues have already shutdown permanently or are hanging on by a thread. These businesses, many located in expensive real estate areas, have lost essentially all revenue streams but are nevertheless responsible for rent, utilities, liquor licenses, and other overhead costs for buildings that have been empty for nearly a year. This post was originally published on the Cardozo Arts & Entertainment Law Journal website on February 1, 2021. The original post can be accessed via the Archived Link button above