Maine Music Alliance is a grassroots coalition of musicians, venue owners, industry professionals, and community advocates working to preserve and protect Portland’s independent music scene.
We believe that local venues are more than buildings—they’re vital cultural spaces that support artists, foster connection, and fuel Portland’s creative economy. Our mission is to protect the future of live music in Maine by advocating for independent venues, empowering the professionals who make them run, and ensuring music remains a thriving part of our city’s identity.
Who We Are.
How We Started.
Maine Music Alliance formed in 2020, in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, when music venues were some of the first businesses to close and the last to reopen. Federal relief was slow and uncertain. Portland’s Port City Music Hall had already shuttered permanently. Rather than wait for help that might never come, a group of venue operators, artists, and music workers began meeting weekly on Zoom.
What started as a support system quickly became a movement.
We launched a $500,000 fundraising campaign to help Portland venues survive the shutdowns, raised awareness through citywide action, and partnered with Creative Portland to distribute emergency relief to those most at risk. We were inspired by the work of national organizations like NIVA, but rooted our efforts in Maine — by and for our local scene.
Where We Are Now.
Today, the Maine Music Alliance continues to advocate fiercely for Portland’s independent music ecosystem—venues, artists, staff, and all.
On August 11th, the Portland City Council voted 6–3 to approve a 180-day moratorium on large concert venues, pausing Live Nation’s proposed 3,300-capacity venue while the City studies the cultural and economic impacts. The following night, the Planning Board voted to table the application until after the moratorium expires.
This is a significant win for our community — made possible by the hundreds of people who showed up, spoke, wrote councilors, and spread the word — but it’s a pause, not the end. Over the next six months, we’re focused on ensuring that any future development protects, rather than undermines, Portland’s homegrown music scene.
Our work doesn’t stop there. We’re committed to protecting and promoting Maine’s independent music community for the long haul.
Our Vision for the Future.
We envision a Maine where:
Independent venues are valued as cultural infrastructure
Music professionals have a unified voice and shared resources
Artists have space to grow—and stages to perform on
Local music is recognized as both a cultural and economic driver
We’re still growing. We’re still learning. And we’re actively building an organization that can serve music professionals across Maine—not just in moments of crisis, but as a long-term force for sustainability, equity, and creativity in the industry.
We believe Portland’s music scene is worth fighting for. And we’re just getting started.