We, the undersigned, are musicians, arts workers, audience members, and most importantly, supporters of Portland’s proudly independent, local music and arts scene. We know that independent venues are the lifeblood of our local creative economy that cements Portland’s identity as the vibrant cultural hub of northern New England.

That’s exactly why we are speaking out about the proposed 3,300 capacity Live Nation-operated venue at 244 Cumberland Ave and the existential threat it poses to our local music community and downtown Portland as a whole.

Live Nation is the wrong partner, at the wrong time.
• Live Nation, the largest concert promoter in the world and owner of Ticketmaster, are currently being sued for anti-trust violations by the U.S. Department of Justice and 40 states’ attorney generals.
•Their business model is one of monopoly domination; they crush competition, drive ticket prices up, and leave audiences, musicians, and arts workers alike with fewer opportunities.

The venue offers nothing new.
• Any band that would play at the Live Nation development can be accommodated in existing venues— the publicly-owned and operated Merrill Auditorium and Cross Insurance Arena, the State Theatre, or Thompson’s Point.

The developers have no plan.
• The proposal includes no real plan for dealing with parking and traffic, which is already a monumental challenge in downtown Portland.

We’ve heard Live Nation’s pitch and we’re not buying it. We’ve seen how this multi-billion dollar company has decimated music scenes and local creative economies all over the country. We don’t need a Live Nation development in Portland, and we don’t want it.

Signed,

Maine Music Alliance
SPACE
The Apohadion Theater
Bayside Bowl
Blue Portland Maine
Empire Comedy Club
Flask Lounge
Geno's Rock Club
Grime Studios
Live at Madrid's
Mayo St Arts
One Longfellow Square
Opera Maine
Oxbow
Portland House of Music
Portland Ovations
Portland Stage Company
Portland Symphony Orchestra
Prism Analog
State Theatre
Sun Tiki Studios
The Thirsty Pig