Offering a new model of raising funds by offering exclusive music, Minneapolis, MN-based venue First Avenue launched the First Love Project this week.
Like many independent venues struggling as the pandemic wreaks havoc on public health as well as local economies, the venue is looking for alternative sources of income to stay afloat for when live music returns. The venue and local fans have teamed up to coordinate a subscription model where artists (local and national) contribute music. All proceeds go directly to the venue.
The first wave of contributors includes Atmosphere, The Hold Steady, Fugazi, Thurston Moore, Har Mar Superstar and a growing list, as more songs will be released over the course of one year.
Mary Beth Mueller, spokesperson for the Committee of Concerned Citizens behind the fundraiser explains:
I got tired of signing ‘Save our Stages’ petitions and decided to do something. Many of us simply cannot imagine this city or the national music landscape without First Avenue. We started emailing bands, and every single one of them responded, ‘yes.’
First Avenue celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2020 and is one of the country’s longest-running independent music venues. Here’s a review of Dillinger Four at First Avenue in late 2020. The venue is also known from the film Purple Rain.
