US 2019 Artist Ambassador and First Venues Revealed

“Fantastic Negrito started playing on the streets, and independent venues gave us our first shot. In a business that doesn’t know what to do with artists that don’t fit in a box, they’re on the front lines, bringing great live music to people everywhere.” – Xavier Dphrepaulezz (Fantastic Negrito)

“It’s a first step, but I’m a believer that venues should try to work together, as I think there are a lot of benefits to be had if we do. […] IVW helps highlight that, although we are locally owned and operated, we’re not alone in this pursuit to bring great artists to our local communities.”
—Glenn Boothe, Marketing Director for Motorco (Durham, NC)

Returning for its second US edition July 8-14, 2019, Independent Venue Week, with Eventbrite as its exclusive ticketing partner, has announced that Fantastic Negrito will be joining as its official artist ambassador. Grammy Award winner Xavier Dphrepaulezz (Fantastic Negrito) emerged from Oakland’s local music scene to a tremendously successful rise after winning NPR‘s Tiny Desk Concert in 2015. Following in the role after inaugural ambassador Chuck D of Public Enemy and Prophets of Rage, Xavier’s wealth of experiences as a performer and patron of these venues is central to the community-building mission of Independent Venue Week.

Independent Venue Week is happy to welcome back Eventbrite, a tremendous supporter of independent music whose keen understanding of the need to highlight these critical local businesses makes them an ideal partner to bring this event to life.

“As the technology that powers many of the independent venues across North America, we’re fired up to be partnering with Independent Venue Week for the second year. These venues and promoters work tirelessly day in and day out to bring great music artists to fans around the country and we’re proud to partner with an initiative that provides acknowledgment and support for this critical part of the live music industry,” said Andrew Dreskin, president of Eventbrite’s music division.

Founded by Sybil Bell, Independent Venue Week launched in the UK in 2014. The event highlights and celebrates spaces across each territory with a venue-curated concert series and continued growth with every passing year. The UK version featured Novelist as its 2019 artist ambassador and will feature heavily in a documentary by Radiohead’s Philip Selway on UK venues. “It’s just brilliant to see Independent Venue Week growing in the US and returning for a second year,” Sybil says. “We’ve just wrapped up our sixth edition here in the UK and it’s been a magical week touring the country. We can’t wait to get back out to the US and discover some equally magical venues and artists.”

The American iteration is produced by music marketing firm Marauder. Marauder’s managing partner Rev. Moose says, “These essential spaces are instrumental to both the local neighborhoods and global community of artists that tour our country. We are honored to have Fantastic Negrito, a strong advocate for both community and music, join as artist ambassador. It’s a privilege to be working with him to bring new light to the mafny stages that deserve our support.” Moose will be part of the SXSW panel, Indie Venues Band Together: Forming a Community, speaking with other Independent Venue Week supporters on the importance of these spaces in the local musical ecosystem.

Independent Venue Week is proud to announce the first round of participating venues for its second year in the US. Last year’s successful American debut, as featured in Pollstar and Billboard, included 20 shows across 20 venues in 20 cities. In its second year on American soil, Independent Venue Week has already grown to 37 venues in 32 cities – and counting! Venues still interested in taking part can still register at the link below!

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