It is a full-on crisis. And, in no uncertain terms, it’s the rapid dismantling of the “Live Music Capital of the World” as we know it.

Similarly to many cities across the country, Austin has lost music venues as a result of the financial strains due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Though Austin City Council recently allocated $5 million for venue preservation, many local venues continue to lose revenue at a rapid rate, and will most likely close permanently unless assistance is provided.

This weekend, the National Independent Venue Association (NIVA) is hosting the three-day virtual music festival Save Our Stages to raise donations in support of venues across the country, and to raise awareness of the calamitous losses that these venue closures lead to. And to further drive the point home, S.O.S. is featuring incredible talent on each line-up in a huge call to action, including the artists mentioned on today’s AMM: Cautious Clay, Phoebe Bridgers, Brittany Howard (featured on today’s AMM), Foo Fighters, Leon Bridges, Black Pumas, Nathaniel Rateliff, Portugal the Man and many more.

The bill also includes Rise Against, The Roots, Miley Cyrus, and Reba McEntire rallying to the cause. Something here should give one an idea of the magnitude and urgency of this situation.

S.O.S. kicks off at 7 p.m. (Central) tonight, Friday October 16, on the NIVA YouTube channel. And here in the ATX, Empire Control Room, 606 E. 7th, will host a Save Our Stages outdoor watch party in support of its own reopening efforts.

You can find details and this weekend’s set times at the Save Our Stages website.