Banding Together to Help Struggling Pittsburgh Music Venues

Over 60 musicians recorded an original song to support their industry.

Like cities across the country, Pittsburgh music venues are struggling to survive through the pandemic. Already, the city has lost almost 10 venues, including mainstays such as The Rex Theater on the South Side and Brillobox in Bloomfield.

To help the struggling venues, Eric Roger, lead guitarist of local band Royal Honey, reached out to his fellow Pittsburgh musicians. And the response was overwhelming.

More than 60 local musicians and 27 bands came together to record Rodger’s original song “SOS 2020,” or “Save Our Stages 2020,” which was released on Jan. 8 across all major streaming services along with a corresponding music video. All proceeds will benefit music venues affected by the pandemic with every dollar being matched, up to $2,000, by The Ryan McCutcheon Rhythm19 Fund at The Pittsburgh Foundation.

“SOS 2020 is intended to share the sense of frustration and concern I have for all Pittsburgh music venues, performers, promoters and support staff directly affected by this pandemic. I wanted to do something that put into action a way to help people now” Rodger says.

The song was recorded at The Vault Recording Studio and features a range of musicians, including members of Rusted Root, Murder for Girls, Chip & The Charge Ups, The Granati Brothers, The Cheats, A Common Crown and the Legendary Hucklebucks. 

To see a list of all the musicians involved and to donate, go to sos2020pgh – sos2020pgh.

The Save Our Stages Act was passed in late December as part of the COVID-relief bill to provide grants to local venues, promoters and booking agents, but it isn’t expected to be enough to save the struggling industry.