This weekend a range of musicians joined forces virtually to fundraise for independent venues, who have been struggling since the lockdown began EIGHT months ago. Artists from Foo Fighters to Reba McEntire, Major Lazer to Miley Cyrus took to empty stages in iconic venues to raise funds and awareness of the crisis that threatens the future of live music.

The three day streaming festival involved over 30 acts across 22 venues nationwide, and saw live debuts from Rise Against, Dave Matthews, Finneas, Demi Lovato and Major Lazer. Let’s take a look at some highlights, then see how we can take action for the very venues where we’ve made our own music memories.

Rockers Rise Against live debuted “Broken Dreams, Inc.” during their set from The Metro in Chicago. Their first song in 3 years, the track is part of Dark Nights: Death Metal, a new Batman comic. Singer Tim McIlrath said the song deals with, “The opportunities that are available to some but not to others, the people who are able to benefit versus those who get left behind, who suffer and end up as casualties. How do we level the playing field so everyone can have a real chance at attaining the American Dream? One word, disruption."

The Foo Fighters played a stirring acoustic set from the Troubadour in Los Angeles. Fans commented that it was the most intense version of “Times Like These” they’d ever witnessed. Watch for yourself: 

Dave Matthews took the stage solo from the Jefferson Theater in Charlottesville. During his seven song set he debuted a brand new one, “The Ocean and the Butterfly."

FINNEAS played his newest track “What They’ll Say About Us” a track released just last month, dedicated to the late actor Nick Cordero. 

Demi Lovato and Marshmello live debuted their collaboration “OK Not to Be OK” just days following Demi’s debut of Anti-Trump anthem “Commander in Chief” from the Billboard Music Awards.

Miley Cyrus played a short but powerful set from the Whisky A Go Go in LA including a fierce cover of The Cranberries’ 1993 single “Zombie."

Electronic trio Major Lazer closed out their 8-song set with new track “QueLoQue” featuring Paloma Mami.

And Macklemore played his first show of 2020 from Seattle.

See more setlist from this weekend’s SOS Fest here.

For more info, to buy merchandise and to contact Congress to step in and provide aid to these independent venues, visit  saveourstages.com.