As the effects of COVID-19 continue to impact businesses and communities, Shure is working with musical artists to help support local independent music venues in the Chicago area.
“Shure is committed to supporting and empowering all performers and creators – we work with some of the biggest global artists in the world, but for us, local music is just as essential,” said Mark Brunner, VP of Global Corporate and Government Relations at Shure. “So many musicians and venue staff in our own backyard have been negatively impacted by this terrible situation and it is important for us to support our neighbors.”
In addition to making a monetary donation to the Chicago Independent Venue League (CIVL), Shure has recruited some partners in the industry to encourage others to support local music venues in the Chicago area and elsewhere.
Shure is working with artists including Joe Trohman from Fall Out Boy, Jeff Tweedy from Wilco, Jamila Woods, Lili Trifilio from Beach Bunny, and BJ the Chicago Kid to post messages on social media encouraging others to support the Chicago Independent Venue League or their own local music venues.
The Chicago Independent Venue League is a collection of more than 20 local music venues, including Avondale Music Hall, Beat Kitchen, Cafe Mustache, Cole’s Bar, Dorian’s, Empty Bottle, G-Man Tavern, The Hideout, Lincoln Hall, Martyrs, Metro, Park West, Patio Theater, The Promontory, Reggies, The Riviera Theatre, Schubas, The Silver Room, Sleeping Village, SmartBar, Subterranean, Thalia Hall, Tonic Room, The Vic, and The Whistler.
Member venues have played a crucial role in the development of Chicago’s music and entertainment for decades by nurturing local, national and international talent, and providing a platform for these artists to build their careers and develop their music. Chicago’s independent venues provide thousands of jobs, as well as millions of dollars in salaries, revenues, charitable donations and taxes.
This initiative is one of other efforts by Shure to support communities in response to COVID-19, including donations of masks to a local hospital, listening equipment to local schools and a donation to Direct Relief, an organization working with authorities to provide personal protective equipment (PPEs) to healthcare workers in affected regions of the world.
Chicago Independent Venue League co-chairs Katie Tuten and Robert Gomez provided the following statement: “CIVL includes some of the most historic music venues in Chicago, and in fact, the world. Our stages have presented live performers in every genre of music, comedy, and theater; from their first show, through international stardom for over 100 years. Shure has been with us since 1925! Born and based in Chicago, yet with global reach, Shure represents everything CIVL does; start small and independent, stay true to your values, and then amplify the sound as far as you can! Shure and CIVL never forget that we come from neighborhoods of working people, just trying to make it, just trying to be heard. Shure literally makes our voice heard loud and clear. Chicago venues are just like the trusty SM58, humble and affordable, and we take a lot of abuse, but we rock! Right now, we’re between ‘rock, and hard place’, so CIVL, our clubs, bands and staff are grateful to Shure for their generous support to help keep us rolling!”
