The Push to Keep
Chicago's Music Venues Alive

Introduction

In March 2020, Chicago's vibrant live music scene was abruptly silenced as COVID-19 shutdowns mandated the closure of all entertainment venues. Without a clear path to reopening, independent music venues across the city faced financial ruin, threatening to erase a key part of Chicago's cultural fabric and displace more than 70,000 workers in the arts, entertainment, and recreation sectors. The Chicago Independent Venue League (CIVL), founded in 2018 to support these independent venues, launched a campaign to advocate for federal financial assistance. To amplify CIVL's message and engage a broad coalition of supporters, CIVL partnered with DeSoto & State Communications to develop a high-impact public relations strategy.

Challenge

CIVL's goal was to ensure the long-term survival of Chicago's independent music venues and to protect the livelihoods of thousands employed within this sector. Achieving this meant rallying public support around three critical pieces of legislation—the RESTART Act, Save Our Stages Act, and ENCORES Act—that could help stave off widespread closures. DeSoto & State was tasked with three key objectives:

  • Educate the Public on the severe cultural and economic impact if these venues were to close.

  • Mobilize Supporters to contact elected officials, urging them to vote for essential financial relief measures.
  • Encourage Donations to sustain CIVL's advocacy work amid financial strain.

Solution

DeSoto & State executed a comprehensive public relations strategy in two phases: Messaging and planning and Implementation and execution.

Messaging & Planning

The campaign emphasized the economic and cultural losses Chicago would suffer if independent venues were to close permanently. DeSoto & State identified spokespeople, including venue owners and high-profile musicians, to highlight the local impact in media appearances and op-eds. The plan also incorporated targeted outreach to regional and national media, positioning CIVL leaders as expert voices on the issue.

Implementation & Execution

DeSoto & State developed both an impact campaign (targeting timely media opportunities to keep venues' challenges in the public eye) and a momentum campaign to leverage ongoing coverage into more prominent media placements. An online portal with multimedia assets—photos, videos, and interview resources—was created to simplify media access, allowing reporters to produce stories quickly. DeSoto & State also prepared venue operators with talking points and social media toolkits, enabling them to share calls to action directly with their audiences.

To further extend CIVL's reach, the organization launched the CIVLization Virtual Music Series. This online series streamed live music performances to raise funds for the CIVL SAVE Emergency Relief Fund, which was established to support out-of-work venue staff. In collaboration with Goose Island Beer Company, DeSoto & State also helped promote a limited-edition Goose Island CIVL Pale Ale, with a portion of sales directed to the fund.

Results

The campaign produced substantial outcomes, establishing CIVL as a critical advocate for Chicago's independent music venues and positioning them as a credible source for media, both locally and nationally. Key achievements included:

  • Increased Media Engagement: CIVL's media presence skyrocketed, with weekly placements rising from an average of four to five stories per month to five to seven per week. Major outlets such as NPR's Here & Now, The New York Times, and SIRIUSXM's Debatable featured CIVL leaders and their mission.

  • Mobilized Public Support: Of the more than two million calls to action sent to legislators urging financial support for the Save Our Stages Act, more came from CIVL's public relations efforts than any other organization in the country.

  • Successful Legislative Outcome: In December 2020, the Save Our Stages Act passed, securing over $16 billion in relief funds for independent music venues.

Conclusion

DeSoto & State supported CIVL in its mission to protect Chicago's independent music venues through targeted strategic messaging, media outreach, and community engagement. As a result, CIVL has solidified its role as a leading voice for independent live music, with its leaders frequently sought after for their expertise on industry issues. The campaign not only secured vital financial relief but also enhanced CIVL's reputation, creating a strong foundation for ongoing advocacy and support. DeSoto & State contributed its time and resources to this effort, delivering significant value to CIVL and Chicago's independent music community.