Bands like Guns N' Roses, My Chemical Romance and Green Day have been granted loans to support their crews and staff following cancelled and postponed tours.
A number of bands who were forced to postpone or cancel tours amid the coronavirus pandemic have been granted PPP (Paycheck Protection Program) loans from the U.S. government to support their crews and staff.
The likes of Guns N' Roses, My Chemical Romance, Green Day, Pearl Jam, Weezer, Slipknot, Disturbed and Tool have all received federal funding according to reports.
“Like most tours that were happening this year, My Chemical Romance’s world tour was cancelled,” My Chem tell Rolling Stone. “MCR received PPP money to ensure their crew is funded in these times of uncertainty until we are able to be out on the road again.
Read this: Counting the cost of coronavirus on touring bands
“We are so grateful to these skilled, dedicated people – some of them are parents, others caretakers, still others who simply have rent to pay – and this money helps them take care of themselves and their families.”
“The PPP is providing much-needed relief to millions of American small businesses, supporting more than 51 million jobs and over 80 per cent of all small business employees, who are the drivers of economic growth in our country,” said Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin.
“The PPP is an indisputable success for small businesses, especially to the communities in which these employers serve as the main job creators,” added Administrator Jovita Carranza. “In three months, this Administration was able to act quickly to get funding into the hands of those who faced enormous obstacles as a result of the pandemic. Today’s data shows that small businesses of all types and across all industries benefited from this unprecedented program. The jobs numbers released last week reinforced that PPP is working by keeping employees on payroll and sustaining millions of small businesses through this time.”
Across the pond, meanwhile, a UK government support package for £1.57billion was unveiled on July 6 to help protect the arts and culture industries.
“Our arts and culture are the soul of our nation,” explained Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden. “They make our country great and are the lynchpin of our world-beating and fast-growing creative industries. I understand the grave challenges the arts face and we must protect and preserve all we can for future generations.”
Read this: What it was like playing a socially distanced metal gig
