The social media hashtag marks 12 months without live music.

12 months after venues in America were closed due to COVID-19, the National Independent Venue Association (NIVA), has launched a campaign for venues to post “One Year Dark” either as a hashtag on their social media or on their marquee boards.

The One Year Dark campaign is aimed to highlight the still struggling nightlife and live music industry in the US. Raising awareness that the industries remain some of the hardest hit by the pandemic.

NIVA reminds people that music venues and performing arts theatres were the first to close in the pandemic, and will most likely be the last business sectors allowed to reopen.

It’s also worth pointing out that new venues are one of the business ventures most likely to fail… on average, three to four times higher than most small business.

A full year without any source of income has left many independent venues across the world struggling to avoid bankruptcy, and this is no different in America. Most venues can see the light at the end of the tunnel, with most governments releasing road maps for reopening, which include estimated dates for the nightlife and hospitality sectors.

According to Marketplace, the recent pandemic relief funding passed by Congress in America, has an allocation of $1.25 billion for concert venues. Although these funds have yet to be released, it will be a vital lifeline for may independent venues.

You can learn more about the One Year Dark campaign at the NIVA website.

H/T: Dancing Astronaut