As we all know, the coronavirus has brought live in-person music performances to a screeching halt in 2020. That has forced a lot of us musicians to do live-streaming on the internet for shows. All of this has led us to wonder how the coronavirus is affecting music venues and do they think live music will ever be the same? To find out, we talked to five different venues around the country to see what they thought.
Chelsea Wine Bar (El Lago, TX)
How has the coronavirus affected Chelsea Wine Bar in general?
We were closed the first 2 months of the pandemic and used that time to renovate and upgrade our upstairs area. Since we reopened it was really slow going at first. These last few weeks we have seen an increase in business and more people are coming out.
Are you currently hosting live music now and do you think it will ever be the same at Chelsea Wine Bar?
Hopefully someday! We haven’t had live music since we originally closed March 16th. I would like to reinstate live music, but I think our owner will try to not have any.
How do you think we can best support our local music venues during this time?
Try to patronize them by eating and drinking there while music is suspended.
Brick Street Brews (Rogers, AR)
How has the coronavirus affected Brick Street Brews?
Brick Street Brews shut down in mid-March in compliance with our governor’s order for quarantine. At first, we thought we would use the down-time to spruce up our space. After some thought, and the realization that our lease was up at the end of April, we made the decision to move out of that space and search for a new location that could better suit our future plans to add a small brewery & offer cocktails. We were in negotiations to lease and renovate a space very close to our original site, but we were unable to reach an agreement. More importantly, we were unable to figure out how we could make a new venue sustainable in light of the restrictions and cautions people are taking around Covid-19. We realized quickly that small bars and restaurants will struggle, even if the weather is beautiful, as many patrons just won’t feel comfortable being in public spaces.
So, we made a difficult decision, choosing to shut down Brick Street Brews for good. While the closure wasn’t entirely caused by the pandemic, it was definitely a factor in the decision. If we had remained in our original location, we would certainly be open for business, but it would be difficult, and we likely would not be able to host local musicians as often as we had been.
Wow, we’re really sorry to hear that. Brick Street Brews was one of our favorite places to play at in NW Arkansas. If you guys had stayed open, what do you think live music would have looked like there right now?
If we were open, we would not be able to host live music as frequently, because we could not afford to pay the musicians for 2 shows a week. We would not want to reduce their compensation, but without customers’ support, we couldn’t afford to pay an artist to play for the bartender’s enjoyment alone. I like to think that in a few years, everything will be closer to pre-Covid-19 times, and the memories of the quarantine will soften with time.
We appreciate everything that you guys have done for the independent music community and wish you and all of your business partners the best. Do you have any thoughts on how we can support our local music venues during this time?
Supporting local music venues right now is important, but everyone’s health and safety are more important. If a venue is able to safely host live music, please go if you are comfortable, invite others to join you, spend some money on food and drinks to support the venue, and tip the musician generously!
Bent Oak Winery (Austin, TX)
How has the coronavirus affected Bent Oak Winery?
It has made a severe financial impact on our business! The Governor’s Open Texas Strike Force classified wineries as bars which resulted in us having to close the tasting room and only allow curbside pick-ups. We then were able to partially open, only to have to re-close again. Our tasting room is now open by reservation only and only at 50% capacity, which is 27 patrons.
Are you currently hosting live music?
We had not been able to host our Friday and Sunday music series’ since March we when initially closed. Starting in October we’ve brought back music on Fridays, and hope to add Sunday back beginning in November. There was about a 7 month period though where we were paying BMI and ASCAP licensing fees for basically nothing.
What precautions are you taking with your music performances and do you see live music ever being the same at Bent Oak Winery?
Yes, I think it will go back to normal someday. In the meantime, we’ve changed our seating chart to maximize the distance between our customers and the musicians. Our staff manages the tips so that the customers can remain seated at their tables. We also are allowing our musicians to opt-out if they are concerned.
How do you think we can best support music venues like yours during this time?
For wineries, continue online ordering and curbside pick-up. Most of all though, practice health and safety at all times and wear your damn mask!
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The Riverside Arts Market (Jacksonville, FL)
How has the coronavirus affected the Riverside Arts Market in general?
The RAM is an outdoor food and crafts market open every Saturday from 10 am to 3 pm. We have live music on the stage, or we used to, before the pandemic hit. The market closed for a few weeks in March and April, then reopened at about half capacity with the vendors spread out to allow for better social distancing.
Are you currently hosting live music?
There is currently no live music at the market as they’re afraid it would attract too many visitors. Also with less vendors, the market is operating with less income, so no funding for paying the musicians. Currently we are at a month to month basis for music returning. I have yet to hear about November, but I wouldn’t be at all surprised if we’re not back until January or February at least, and then we might be only hosting single and duo acts, no full bands.
What do you think live music will look like there when you’re able to bring it back?
If and when we get back to hosting live music, we’ll be asking singers to bring their own vocal mics, and cleaning ours after each performer. Less musicians on stage for social distancing, and trying to find a way to spread out the audience. Not an easy task! We’re looking forward to having live music once again, but who really knows what’s going to happen?
How do you think we can best support places like the RAM during this time?
The best way to support the RAM right now is online. They set up a virtual market on Instagram and Facebook so folks can buy from their vendors, not just on Saturday, but EVERYDAY.
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The Evening Muse (Charlotte, NC)
How has the coronavirus affected The Evening Muse in general?
We have been shut down since March 13th. In NC we are under a mandate to remain closed due to the nature of our business. Currently, we are heavily involved with local and statewide initiatives to help find financial support for all of our music venues and stages so that we will be able to all reopen safely.
So are you currently hosting live music right now in some fashion?
We are not hosting in person concerts (no guests/audience), but we have installed a great live-stream broadcast-quality setup and are doing more events online.
Do you see live music ever being the same at your venue?
Once we are back, I think shows will be better actually. I feel many of our guests will have an enhanced level of appreciation for live music and togetherness due to the isolation caused by the pandemic. We will continue to offer the shows online and hope that will only increase our reach for the artists and hopefully gain new fans of the Muse.
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How do you think we can best support music venues like yours during this time?
Buy Merch from them. Tell them you’ll be back and that you want to be a part of their return. Offer to help promote shows and get others out to shows in the future. Fans can create “SHOW CLUBS” kind of like a book club, where you go to shows and meet up afterwards to discuss what you really liked about the whole experience. Share findings with venues for their improvement. Offer to host acts when they are in town so as to save venues on hotel fees, or even offer to cook a meal for your favorite acts so as to save venues on food costs. Every bit helps, plus oftentimes you get to meet and greet your favorite acts. Plus, touring musicians love home cooked meals, and dogs. Same goes for the venue staff regarding the food.
Any and all of these are great ways to build up your music scene and make more of that community. Spread it out amongst several people. Many hands make for light work.
As you can see, it’s definitely making an impact on music venues, even causing some to completely shutdown. Overall though, there seems to be a hope and belief that live music will be back and better than ever once this is all over. In the meantime, let’s all do what we can to safely support our venues!
Also, a special thank you to Chelsea Wine Bar, Brick Street Brews, Bent Oak Winery, The Riverside Arts Market, and The Evening Muse for your time and honest answers. We appreciate everything you’ve done and continue to do to support the music community!
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It’s very enlightening to hear what venues are saying about live music during these times of uncertainty. It’s so weird being in this limbo phase of now knowing what’s coming next or how to prepare. It’s good to see that some venues are still alive and well, but also quite unfortunate that others have had to close doors. Wishing nothing but the best in these trying times to all musicians, businesses, and entrepreneurs in this industry. 🙂
Yeah, us artists are hurting because the businesses we rely on for gigs are hurting, so this is a tough time for all of us. I included the support question in my conversations because I think we need to find ways to support these venues right now just like they’ve always supported us. Together though, we’ll get through this…