The Save Our Venues Story

Before IMVA there was a pandemic… and then there was Save Our Venues

A group of passionate people from the Aotearoa music scene, Save Our Venues came together to help local live music venues across Aotearoa.

The initial mission was to help with an urgent, grassroots series of campaigns to raise money for our country’s smaller live music venues. COVID-19 threatened the existence of these venues, spaces that make up a crucial national touring circuit, and provide vital community hubs for local music lovers.

The results were overwhelming. An epic quest, and mammoth effort by all — venues, musicians, sponsors, and music lovers alike — helped raise a collective $487,406 to go towards 30 crucial, small music venues in the Boosted Live presents Save Our Venues campaign.

This was part one of a journey to help to ensure there is always awareness for the plight of music venues. Looking to the future, the longer term goal became to collectively represent, support and advocate on behalf of Aotearoa’s live performance venues.

Save Our Venues listened to the needs of music venues, and advocated for them with government, council, and decision making figures in the music industry.

Special thanks are due to Boosted NZ for being on this journey with Save Our Venues and helping raise almost half a million dollars for such an important cause — as well as your huge support throughout, and your unflinching team of good folks.

Save Our Venues is also grateful to Music Helps for jumping on board and adding such huge impact to this very important conversation.