The next round of COVID-19 relief in the U.S. has $15 billion set aside for live music venues, Loudwire reported. Of the $900 billion allotted for stimulus payments, the $15 billion slice will be shared nationwide by venues, independent movie theaters and cultural institutions — meaning libraries, museums, performing arts, etc. 

In an article from Yahoo Entertainment published on the same date, Red Rocks Amphitheatre spokesperson Brian Kitts revealed that Colorado's most iconic venue alone lost $50 million in 2020, and that's not including all of the jobs that were lost as well.

Yahoo reported that because Red Rocks is owned by the City and County of Denver, its fans don't need to worry about it closing down forever due to the pandemic... but your favorite hometown venue might.

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'There’s a real danger that those places are closing and can't come back,' Kitts told Yahoo, explaining that local independent venues that have been closed, or mostly closed, since March, are the ones in trouble.

Colorado's Famed Red Rocks Amphitheatre Hosts Social Distanced Yoga And Drive-In Movies
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Because it is outdoors, Red Rocks was able to reopen over the summer — sort of. The venue, which can hold over 9,500, was permitted 175 people per event.

Visible Presents "Red Rocks Unpaused" 3-Day Music Festival at Red Rocks Amphitheatre - Day 2
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Red Rocks opened up its parking lots for drive-in movies, until weather no longer permitted, while 175 socially-distanced people did get to see Fitz and the Tantrums and Nathaniel Rateliff perform live. Megan Thee Stallion and Sam Hunt performed free shows, but for no in-person audiences.

You can read more about COVID-19 venue relief here.

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NoCo Music Venues Then and Now

 

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