Get Involved

We need everyone’s voice. Whether you’ve got five minutes or five hours, here are some simple, powerful ways you can help protect Portland’s independent music scene.

1) Email City Council

Let your representatives know where you stand.
A quick, respectful email to City Council can still make a huge difference. Thank them if they voted in favor of the moratorium, or encourage them to take strong action during the pause to protect Portland’s homegrown music scene — not corporate expansion.
📧 Email: council@portlandmaine.gov
📧 CC: publiccomment@portlandmaine.gov
Not sure what to say? We’ve got talking points below.

2) Sign the Petition

Numbers matter. Add your name to help us build momentum.
We’re gathering signatures to show Portland leaders just how many people support protecting our music scene. If you believe in keeping Portland’s venues local and independent, sign and share.

3) Stay Engaged at City Meetings

Your presence speaks volumes.
The moratorium is in place for 180 days, and there will be more opportunities to speak up — whether at committee meetings, council sessions, or planning board hearings. Even if you don’t speak, showing up in person sends a strong message that the community is watching.

4) Spread the Word

Talk to your friends, family, neighbors—even strangers at shows.
One of the most powerful tools we have is conversation. Share this issue on social media, text it to your group chat, or bring it up next time you’re out seeing live music. The more people know what’s happening, the more support we’ll build.

5) Support Portland’s Local Independent Venues

Keep showing up for the places that make Portland’s music scene what it is.
Buy a ticket. Go to a show. Follow your favorite venues and artists. Independent venues rely on your support, and every bit counts… especially now.

Not Sure What To Talk About? Here Are Some Starting Points!

Thank councilors who voted yes for the moratorium,

  • Urge them to take strong action during the pause to protect Portland’s independent music scene.

The City should not be doing business with Live Nation.

  • The US Justice Dept. has deemed Live Nation “a criminal enterprise” in their anti-trust case, which has the backing of 40 states’ attorney generals. 

  • Lawsuits with the backing of 40+ states are nearly once-in-a-generation, reserved for some of the most evil, predatory corporations one can imagine: Big Tobacco, Purdue Pharma (makers of Oxycontin), Facebook…

  • The monopoly practices are so extreme that it has the backing of most Republican-led states.

  • Even the Trump Justice Dept. has declined to throw out the case. 

Live Nation’s proposed venue would wreak havoc on the local economy, shuttering businesses, through their documented business model of monopoly domination. 

  • They crush competition, drive ticket prices up, drive wages down, and leave audiences, musicians, and arts workers alike with fewer opportunities.

  • After entering a new market, Live Nation deliberately consolidates power, buying up smaller venues and driving those that won’t work with them out of business. 

Live Nation exploits music audiences. 

  • Through their ownership of Ticketmaster, they gouge audiences with exorbitant fees and “surge” pricing.

The venue would be a nightmare for downtown traffic, parking, and pedestrian safety.

  • Live Nation’s proposal for a 3,300 capacity venue includes no plan to create any new parking. 

  • Their “parking plan” only includes existing garages and they are not bound by any city law to see this “plan” through.  

Live Nation’s proposed project would offer nothing new.

  • Any band that would play at the Live Nation development can be accommodated in existing venues — either the publicly-owned and operated Merrill Auditorium and Cross Insurance Arena, or the State Theatre and Thompson’s Point.

Looking to learn more? Check out these articles we’ve gathered on Live Nation: