New York State Bans All Ticketed Events In ‘Devastating’ Blow To Musicians, Venues

New coronavirus related guidelines for New York bars and restaurants prohibit them from offering any live music that is separately ticketed.

The statewide ruling effectively bans all live music that would pay musicians a living wage. Only unadvertised and unticketed “incidental music” is allowed.

According to state liquor regulators:

“Incidental music is non-ticketed, unadvertised performances that accompany and are incidental to a dining experience; i.e., patrons have come to dine, and the music provided is incidental to the dining experience.“

Many clubs and promoters across the state were caught off guard by the clarification and had begun charging a cover and scheduling ticketed shows for the coming weeks.

“This is devastating.”

“This is devastating,” said Julie Leone, co-owner of The 443 Social Club & Lounge in Syracuse. The 443 had only reopened in the past few weeks. “This effectively shuts me down again.”

Like other venues across the state, Leone has begun frantically canceling shows she’s booked recently by both local musicians and national touring acts like Griffin House.

There is no word thus far as to when the ban will lift.