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Crystal Wise
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Crystal Wise
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Crystal Wise
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Crystal Wise
The Wee Beasties, with Ginny Mac, performing at Main at South Side in early November
COVID-19 has completely upended the way we consume live music.
While many venues have attempted to fill the need for live music with livestreaming events on social media, others in Tarrant County have been hard at work hosting live events under the new rules and regulations on occupancy.
Ryan Higgs, managing partner at Main at South Side in Fort Worth says that the pandemic has been a very tough time for live music.
“We are running our shows at 50% capacity,” Higgs says. “All shows are seated and ticketed. All of our venues have basically been turned into listening rooms.”
Not only has Higgs seen the necessary decrease in show attendance, he has also seen reluctance on the part of some bands to play to a live audience.
“Many bands are not ready to play yet for safety reasons, and nobody is touring at this time,” Higgs continues, adding that while the restrictions make for a more subdued vibe at even the most raucous of shows, “people are happy to see live music again.”
Over in Arlington, Jerry Warden of Elmo Jones Productions, who books live bands for Mavericks Bar and Grill, says that “hosting shows during the pandemic has been nothing short of crazy.”
After being shut down in March and again in June after a brief May reopening, Mavericks had to switch their status with the TABC from bar to restaurant in order to reopen at the end of July.
Fortunately, Mavericks was able to use the downtime to upgrade their stage and lighting.
“We offer a unique experience,” Warden says. “Our sound crew, Boltneck Sound, is one of the best sound companies in the ’plex, and they project the logo of every band on the back wall.”
Mavericks has been able to reopen to 75% occupancy over the last couple of months, strictly following the safety protocols.
“We’re gonna survive this virus and come out the other side in good shape,” Warden says. “I’ve had zero difficulties in booking bands … I’ve had several shows relocated to Mavs from Dallas venues due to the reluctance of Dallas to reopen clubs.”
Chaz Buchanan, co-owner/manager at Haltom Theater, has also been weathering the ups and downs of the pandemic with difficulty and determination.
“Every month it seems like everything changes,” Buchanan says. “With the restrictions that were in place, we lost over six months being shut down from the pandemic, and we had to scramble once being able to reopen.”
Buchanan also says that reopening came on quickly from a complete standstill, making it difficult to book or promote anything in detail.
It took weeks for Haltom Theater to generate enough interest in its shows, but it has also seen crowds grow as much as allowed.
“People want to enjoy life but for a moment forgot how to,” Buchanan says. “People are realizing that the world is still out there, and there’s a lot to enjoy. A lot of venues didn’t make it, and we feel fortunate to be able to host shows in a safe environment.”
With COVID-19 numbers peaking again, none of these venues have any plans to close, relying instead on whatever regulations may come next.
“You play these things by ear,” Warden says. “Nobody knows where this virus will take us, but we’ll be prepared to reopen if we face another shutdown.”
Each venue gives credit to their patrons for respecting the rules they have set for having a good and safe time.
“People try to do what is right,” Buchanan says. “I see it as a team effort. Guests have to be as responsible as the business. We can post the rules and have everything in place for people to be safe, but they still have to follow the rules.”
Aside from patronizing these venues, anyone concerned for the future of live music venue is encouraged to write their congressperson about the Save Our Stages Act.
“If the U.S. Congress would pass the Save Our Stages Act, sponsored by NIVA [National Independent Venue Association] and so many big artists,” Warden says, “we’ll receive much needed relief along with many other deserving venues across the nation.”
For more information, please visit saveourstages.com.