Stagehands march to Utah Capitol, urging more government help until live events come back

Linzie Middleton’s sign, like a good rock song, cut straight to the heart.

“His music feeds my children,” it said, with an arrow pointing to her husband as they marched up Salt Lake City’s State Street, from City Hall to the Utah Capitol.

The Tuesday march, organized by the recently formed Utah Live Event Industry Association, aimed to draw attention and legislative support to the people and businesses who put on concerts, theater, sports and other live happenings — which mostly have gone dark since the COVID-19 pandemic hit in March.

Middleton’s husband, Neal Middleton, has seen his livelihood hit in two directions: As lead singer of the rock band Royal Bliss, which had to cancel some 170 touring gigs this year; and as part owner of The Royal, a bar and concert venue at 4760 S. 900 East in Salt Lake City, which only recently reopened under tight antivirus protocols.

Read more: https://www.sltrib.com/artsliving/2020/07/21/stagehands-march-utah/
(Salt Lake Tribune)