KUTV 2News – Economically devastated SLC live music industry sees glimmer of hope in ‘yellow’ phase

by Hayley Crombleholme

Live music is starting to return to Utah, but like most things during the coronavirus pandemic, it will look a little different.

Some live venues stated opening back up in May. Tom Hudachko with the Utah Department of Health says in the sate’s “yellow” phase of reopening, venues can have a capacity of 3,000 people indoors or 6,000 outdoors. In the “green” phase, he says there is no attendance limit.

Crystal Young-Otterstrom with the Utah Cultural Alliance says the local events calendar is back to having more than 1,000 events coming up, but the cost of closing was major. She broke down the numbers specific to our state, saying,

Our industry experienced over $55 million in losses; 32,000 jobs are gone, and the deficit of art in all of our lives, I think, is even the greatest impact.”

Young-Otterstrom says those numbers are likely on the lower end, and could be much higher. She some smaller venues in Utah may end up having to close permanently. Other venues are getting back to business, including the Utah Symphony, which returns this Thursday.

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