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| The SaRon Crenshaw Band at Terra Blues last night, January 5 |
Yesterday, growing COVID concerns indefinitely postponed the 2022 Grammy Awards. Widespread Panic and Motion City Soundtrack both announced the cancelation of tour dates, including New York City shows, for the same reason. Meanwhile, touring musicians and their crews struggle with transportation like the rest of the populace, with more than 15,000 flights canceled since Christmas Eve.
As the surge spread continues to impact the nation's economy, two senators reportedly have initiated early discussions with other lawmakers about generating another round of coronavirus stimulus spending, according to today's Washington Post. Senators Ben Cardin (D-Md.) and Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) may propose a new bill that would distribute as much as $68 billion in federal funds to ailing businesses including restaurants, performance venues, gyms and even minor league sports teams. The bill could include a mix of new spending and a repurposing of unused funds authorized under previous aid packages. Cardin and Wicker may rally support from fellow senators, but passage would be challenging in the narrowly divided chamber.
On the one hand, the legislators may gain support from other lawmakers who see the need for additional resources now that other federal coronavirus stimulus programs have exhausted their funds or have reached the end of their planned lives. For instance, Reps. Dean Phillips (D-Minn.), Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.) asked House and Senate leaders in December to consider a "targeted relief package," citing the specific needs of small businesses including restaurants, gyms and live venues. Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.), meanwhile, continues asking Congress to replenish money in a restaurant-specific fund that depleted months ago.
On the other hand, earlier attempts to provide aid for restaurants and other industries have faltered amid Republican concerns about adding to the federal deficit. Many Republicans have maintained that additional aid is unnecessary. Last spring, the Republicans voted unanimously against the American Rescue Plan, calling much of its spending wasteful. Months later, their opposition threatens to complicate any effort to advance even a smaller, targeted stimulus measure through the narrowly divided Senate, according to the Washington Post report.
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| After a two-week pause, Mona's Hot Five resumed its Tuesday night jazz program at Mona's on January 4 |
Updates on Live Music in New York City
More locally, New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli stated on January 4 that New York City's restaurants, retail and recreation (RRR) industries continue to suffer under the spiking COVID surge. He issued a 15-page report that claimed the city’s "overall economic recovery continues to lag behind the rest of the country." DiNapoli’s report found that while some of the jobs lost during the pandemic have returned, the restaurant subsector still employs 30% fewer workers than in 2019. The arts, entertainment and recreation sector was 24% smaller.
State and local governments shuttered entertainment venues in 2020, and two years later these venue operators face other unique challenges. Staffing, which already struggled, has been further impacted by absences due to positive COVI test results. Entertainers are canceling engagements at alarming rates. Yet, venue owners soldier on, hoping that enough customers feel safe enough indoors to support their businesses.
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| Sweepea was supposed to be the support act at Mercury Lounge on January 4 but became the main attraction when the headliner canceled at the last minute. |
Terra Blues will close again on Sundays and Mondays starting next week. This cancels performances by Salt Cracker Crazies, the Pioneers, Papa Vega, the T Blues Band and other blues artists. In addition, the Joanna Sternberg Duo canceled for tonight, replaced by Michael Hill playing an acoustic set. Hazmat Modine canceled for this coming Saturday, so Jr. Mack will play an acoustic set instead that evening. Aside from the temporary Sunday and Monday closures, Terra Blues will present acoustic acts at 7 p.m. and electric acts at 10 p.m. five nights each week.
TV Eye will reopen as a bar this weekend and,
starting next week, the bar will be open from Wednesdays to Saturdays. Live
music will resume on January 13 with Choked Up , Spite Fuxxx, and Frida Kill. The venue has postponed tonight’s program, which
was to feature Slow Fiction, Dead Tooth, and My Son the Doctor, as well as tomorrow’s Acid Tongue, Castle Rat, and Smock show. Saturday’s BOWIEMAS program is
postponed until March 5; instead, TV Eye will celebrate Bowie’s 75th birthday
on Saturday with an all-Bowie dj night.
Otto's Shrunken Head closed after its holiday party and canceled all engagements until its scheduled reopening on January 5. The bar did not reopen yesterday. The closure has been extended until January 12, "after all traveling staff has returned and had time to test." On that date, the venue will resume its Wednesday night jam. Unsteady Freddie' Surf Rock Shindig, postponed from January 1, will happen on January 14 and feature the Supertones. In addition, Jennifer Blowdryer, Exit 99, ReWd MiMz, Patti Rothberg and Valkyrie’s Vendetta will perform on January 15.
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| Mr. Rose at the 11th St. Bar on January 4 |
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| The Greg Humphreys Electric Trio at the 11th St. Bar on January 5 |
Guided by Voices canceled the first two dates of its tour, dropping the Irving Plaza gig on January 14. A press release yesterday stated that "Due to Omicron Covid surge, Guided by Voices are canceling a pair of upcoming shows in New York City and Boston later this month, but they’ll kick off an actual tour on March 18 at the Majestic Theatre in Madison, Wisconsin." The press release did not seem to indicate that the Irving Plaza date would be reschedule.
Widespread Panic yesterday announced on social media that the concerts scheduled for January 13-17, 2022 at the Beacon Theatre have been rescheduled for July 21-25, 2022. "The band has had to make a number of tough calls and last-minute rescheduling decisions over the past 17 months. With our heartfelt apologies, this is one of them. We are grateful to everyone for their understanding."
Motion City Soundtrack also yesterday announced via social media the cancelation of its entire tour, which would have included a January 16 date at Terminal 5. Within four hours, the band received close to 250 supportive responses from fans.
Although the news has not yet hit social media, the Staves today canceled its American tour. The British indie-folk trio was supposed to play at Irving Plaza on February 22.
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| Jack Marcin Wisniewski at the Anyway Cafe on January 5 |
Tonight's Live Music
The following concerts are postponed or cancelled for tonight. Make other plans.
- Peter Himmelman at City Vineyard
- Joe Louis Walker at the Iridium
- The Adam Ezra Group at City Winery NYC
- Natu Camara at the Loft
- Boy JR, Talay, Chrrry at Mercury Lounge (6:30 p.m.)
- Stella Rose and the Dead Language, Sage Sparks, On All Fours at Mercury Lounge (9:30 p.m.)
- Slow Fiction, Dead Tooth, My Son the Doctor at TV Eye
- The Joanna Sternberg Duo at Terra Blues
The Manhattan Beat recommends the following concerts tonight. Please contact the venue before traveling, however, as bookings these days often change suddenly.
- Ja Rule at Sony Hall
- Masego, Rosehardt at Baby's All Right, Brooklyn
- Cancion Franklin & the Fam Band at the 11th St. Bar
- Soulcake at the Anyway Cafe (8 p.m.)
- Michael Hill (acoustic) at Terra Blues (7 p.m.)
- Sidney Bird, Wass, Fuzzy Edges, SAVOIA at Rockwood Music Hall, Stage 2
- Dan Navarro, Prints of Monaco, Blair West, Tom Starr at Rockwood Music Hall, Stage 3
- The Shaves, Sideslam, Shadow Bachs at Arlene’s Grocery
- Towncryer at the Anyway Cafe (7 p.m.)
- The Jr. Mack Band at Terra Blues (10 p.m.)
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| Brian Halloran at the Red Lion on January 5 |
The Manhattan Beat covers New York City's live music developments as they happen. All photographs are by Everynight Charley Crespo, except when noted otherwise. For a list of Manhattan venues that are presenting live music regularly, swing the desktop cursor to the right and click on the pop-up tab "Where to Find Live Music." For a listing of upcoming concerts for live audiences, visit The Manhattan Beat's January 2022 calendar.
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