Rockwood Music Hall Hosting Benefits, Fundraiser To Save LES Home

LOWER EAST SIDE, NY — One of Manhattan's beloved independent music venue is fighting for its survival.

Rockwood Music Hall, after 18 years and over 75,000 shows, is in danger of a forever curtain call, the venue says.

"Unless Rockwood receives immediate help, it is in danger of closing permanently," reads a message on the venue's Instagram.

To stay afloat, the venue announced a benefit concert series in June and launched a fundraiser with a goal of $250,000, which has so far raised nearly $87,000.

"Like many small, independent music venues across the country, Rockwood is struggling to stay open," the venue wrote. "In an era where live music is dominated by corporate interests, venues like Rockwood — which focus on new and emerging artists — have become increasingly rare."

The venue's stages helped in part launch the careers of artists like Lady Gaga, who recounted her formative 2007 performance at Rockwood in an 2011 MTV documentary, and Grammy winner singer-songwriter Sara Bareilles.

Just a year after the venue opened, Bareilles recounted how she had played the second live show of her career at Rockwood.

"I was green and scared. I knew I loved playing music for people, but New York was the Big Leagues and I wanted to prove myself, even if I didn’t know who that was yet," she wrote on the venue's GoFundMe page.

The singer-songwriter said that enough people came to that early show that Rockwood was happy to have her on their stages many times over, which she credits with giving her space to develop and grow as an artist.

Two years later, she was nominated for a pair of Grammy awards. In 2020, Bareilles won a Grammy for best American Roots Performance, and in 2023 for Best Musical Theater Album.

"I genuinely believe that for emerging and developing artists, sacred places like this are the heartbeat and lifeline of the New York music scene," Bareilles wrote.

Rockwood's remaining benefit concerts this summer feature artists like Amy Helm, Spencer Arjang, Niall Connoly, Eleri Ward, The Lone Below and John Gallagher Jr.

And on July 7, the Bronx’s Fox & King music label — who said they have worked with Rockwood to feature Bronx artists over the years — will feature a special showcase of their artists, including Black Lotus with July Quin, Descendent, and John Black.