Unless We Act Now

In 2019, Washington’s music industry contributed $2.42 billion and 38,005 jobs to the state's economy. Now, as a result of COVID-19, 63% of its independent music venues are in danger of permanently shuttering by the end of the year.
Tired of waiting for federal aid, a group of Washington music diehards (including Sir Mix-a-Lot) are taking matters into their own hands to keep independent music venues open across the state. Together, they formed and launched Keep Music Live, a grassroots fundraising effort aimed at raising $10 million that will buy local indie venues (of less than 1,000 guest capacity) two years of relief. The organization is backed by a strong Board, which in addition to Sir Mix-a-Lot, includes Holly Hinton, Director of Music and Artists Partnerships at Starbucks, indie venue owners and other community leaders.
In order to turn heads and scare people into donating, World Famous, the Seattle-based agency leading creative for the movement, is using guerrilla displays disguised as new construction signage to trick residents into thinking their favorite music venues are being replaced by bland, new-build condos.