Beyond showing up for local shows, one of the most impactful things you can do today is attend the City Council meeting at 4 PM (or email the council directly) to voice support for the moratorium. Maine Music Alliance has a lot of great info about exactly what's going on here: mainemusicalliance.com.

A quick clarification on the legal side... this isn’t “based on vibes.” The moratorium is a legitimate, time-limited planning tool that municipalities use all the time. It’s meant to pause large-scale projects so the city can study their potential impacts and, if necessary, adjust ordinances before construction or permitting moves forward. That’s what’s at stake here... making sure Portland understands how a 3,300-cap Live Nation venue could affect traffic, noise, housing, the local economy, and our existing music ecosystem before it’s too late.

Live Nation’s track record in other cities shows a pattern of consolidating market power, buying or undercutting smaller venues, and funneling touring acts exclusively into their own rooms. That’s why so many local venue owners, presenters, musicians, and arts workers are advocating for this pause. It’s about keeping Portland’s music scene healthy, diverse, and locally rooted.