I <3 ARIZONA’S
INDEPENDENT VENUES
Merchandise benefiting Arizona’s indie venues!
We ❤️ AZ’s independent venues, and we’re happy to have helped bring this project to life!
“I ❤️ AZ’s Independent Venues” collaborative merch is available for pre-order now. Proceeds benefit 16 great independent AZ venues and NIVA.
T-shirts, hoodies, tank tops, koozies are all available for pre-order now.
Design by Sage Aune, and merch by Hello Merch.
Our own Stephen Chilton recently spoke with Kyle Lamont and the Concert Cast Podcast about his involvement with NIVA (the National Independent Venue Association) and his forecast for the return of live music.
Today marks the 20th anniversary of the first show I booked. A local show with friends at Modified Arts downtown, long before I heard the words “Roosevelt Row.” This first flyer didn’t say Psyko Steve Presents on it (that would come a few shows later), but that joke I put on a flyer in high school has now lasted 20 years.
I have worked with more bands than I can count, including some of my favorite artists, and more importantly many that I now call friends. I often say the most rewarding part of what I do is watching artists go from their first shows to becoming real stars. I worked with many of the best acts from AZ over the last 20 years before they released music or started the projects they’re known for. At this year’s Grammys, we’re rooting for two AZ artists that I first booked before they could drive.
Over 20 years I’ve worked with almost every AZ venue, opened my own venue The Rebel Lounge, and produced festivals like 8123 Fest. What started as a hobby grew into a resilient small business with a great staff. Last year our team produced over 600 concerts. I could have never done that on my own, that required a strong team.
Early this year, we brainstormed how to commemorate 20 years of concerts. Soon it was clear none of those ideas would come to fruition this year. In 2020 we put on just 75 shows, the smallest number I’ve produced in a decade.
As I write this, I’m watching a Senate subcommittee hearing on the impact of COVID-19 on live entertainment and #SaveOurStages Act. I’ve spent 2020 dedicated to building NIVA; it’s an honor to work with so many great business owners and professionals from around the US working together to save each other. I just watched Kyrsten Sinema mention the plight of The Rebel Lounge and express her support for saving this industry. Not how I pictured commemorating today.
I’m still optimistic federal aid is coming, and next year can be great for live music. I look forward to getting back to what our team loves and does best – producing some of the best events in AZ.
Psyko Steve owner Stephen Chilton talked with our good friend Dakin Hardwick this week on the Spinning Platters podcast “How Did I Get Here?”
Check it out on Spotify, Anchor, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Click here for a direct link to the episode.
JUST ANNOUNCED
SOSFEST
Exclusive New Performances at Independent Venues to #SaveOurStages
NIVA (National Independent Venue Association) & YouTube just announced #SOSFest! A three day virtual music festival on October 16-18 with exclusive performances by tons of incredible artists.
Foo Fighters, Rise Against, The Roots, Phoebe Bridgers, Black Pumas, Portugal The Man, Brittany Howeard and many many more offering intimate performances recorded live from more than 25 independent concert venues across the US.
#SOSFEST marks seven months since most independent venues, concert halls, comedy clubs, theatres, and festivals learned that they would be closing indefinitely.
90% of independent music venues are on the verge of closing forever – and they need your help!
Tune in to #SOSFEST and watch all-new performances from some of your favorite artists working to #SaveOurStages. We’ve launched the NIVA Emergency Relief Fund so these venues don’t close forever.
Click here to tune in to #SOSFEST for free, and donate if you can!
Tell Congress to #SaveOurStages!
Independent promoters and venues need your help today! Visit SaveOurStages.com to tell your legislators to save Arizona venues.
Live entertainment as we know it came to a screeching halt back in March.
Concert promoters, venues and festivals nationwide have been unable to operate in a safe fashion, and therefore most have not been operating or generating revenue for nearly five months.
Our industry needs federal financial support to make it through the pandemic. The National Independent Venue Association (NIVA) formed in March to fight for these independent music businesses in D.C. Negotiations regarding the next stimulus package are ongoing, and we have to send a message to Congress that these independent businesses need a lifeline.
We need you to make your voice heard.
Tell Congress that you want them to save live music.
We need Congress to pass the Save Our Stages act or RESTART act.
Visit SaveOurStages.com to send a letter to your representatives.
It only takes a minute. The timing is vital. Congress goes on break soon, and is rushing to complete its next relief bill, and independent venues MUST be included.
More info on the Save Our Stages and RESTART acts:
The Save Our Stages Act would provide $10 billion in Small Business Administration grant funding, specifically for independent music and entertainment venues, to cover six months of expenses. This bipartisan bill was written in response to NIVA’s Save Our Stages Campaign, and introduced on July 22 by Senators Cornyn (R, Texas) and Klobuchar (D, Minnesota).
The RESTART Act would provide loan funding for six months of expenses, with flexible use and up to 90% forgiveness, and would include venues as well as other small businesses facing long closures.
#SaveOurStages In The News:
David Byrne And Other Music Stars Work To Help Small Venues Survive – Today Show
#SaveOurStages: Indie Music Venues Get Another Boost From Capitol Hill – Forbes
UNDEROATH: OBSERVATORY
Livestream performances of 3 albums:
7/17/20 – Lost In The Sound Of Separation
7/24/20 – Define The Great Line
7/31/20 – They’re Only Chasing Safety
Missing live shows? Us too.
We’re so stoked to announce post-hardcore/emo legends UNDEROATH are streaming live performances of three albums on Fridays in July, starting this week.
The band is performing their 2008 LP Lost In The Sound Of Separation this Friday, July 17th. Next Friday, July 24th, they’re streaming Define The Great Line live, and the following week, July 31st, they’re performing their 2004 classic They’re Only Chasing Safety.
You can purchase tickets to any individual livestream, or purchase bundles including exclusive merch, and tickets to all three streams. A streaming ticket will allow access to watch the streams through August.
Click here to learn more and buy your ticket now!
Psyko Steve Presents owner and talent buyer Stephen Chilton is featured this week on the 100 Words Or Less Podcast hosted by Ray Harkins. They discuss the state of independent venues around the country and the National Independent Venue Association’s mission to Save Our Stages. Click here to listen.
National Independent Venue Association (NIVA) Created
To Fight For Venue Survival Amid Mandated, Extended Shutdowns
National Independent Venue Association just formed and already has more than 450 charter members in 43 states, including The Rebel Lounge in Phoenix, AZ, 9:30 Club in D.C., First Avenue in Minneapolis, Chicago Independent Venue League, World Cafe Live in Philadelphia, Pabst Theater Group in Milwaukee, Red River Cultural District in Austin, and Exit/In in Nashville.
Hey there,
We hope everyone is staying safe (and staying at home!) during this challenging time. Like many of you, we’re missing shows and can’t wait until things return to normal.
As you’re aware, tons of Spring shows have been canceled or postponed to later dates – and we wanted to send a quick update on shows that we have announced newly rescheduled dates for over the next few months.
Please see below for a complete list of upcoming shows, and check in at PsykoSteve.com at any time for the status of any specific show.
If a show you purchased tickets to has been canceled, you should receive a refund for your order. If a show you purchased tickets for has been postponed, you will receive an email with info as soon as we receive it – whether the show has been postponed and we’re still working on scheduling a new date, or whether that new date is ready to announce. We’re trying to honor tickets for all shows that have been postponed, and if you purchased tickets, you’ll receive an email with a specific update as it pertains to your show.
Thanks for your patience during this hectic period. Please also check out The Rebel Lounge’s fundraiser for our hardworking staff that is currently out of work! Click here for more info, or see the graphic below.
– PSP
