Radiohead, Foo Fighters, Phoebe Bridgers and LCD Soundsystem have established a support charity for live music workers affected by the Covid pandemic.
On March 31 of 2020, ticketing giant Live Nation established Crew Nation in aid of the live music community. The charitable fund also features support by Dinosaur Jnr, Oh Wonder, Underworld, Sub Pop records, Enrique Iglesias, Nathan East and Neko Case, and Rise Against. In addition to the Brompton collaboration, Jagermeister has also recently announced their support of the Crew Nation campaign.
“Jägermeister — which provided huge support by donating $1 million to NIVA’s Emergency Relief Fund in December — and NIVA are launching “Our Stages, Our Stories,” which aims to spotlights industry staff (bartenders, audio engineers, door staff, ticket-takers, the DJs, and more).”
Source: Variety
The Brompton x Crew Nation collaboration has raised $142,000 with 100% of the profits donated to the fund so far.
Of the project, Ed O’Brien of Radiohead says,
“Thank you to Brompton for asking us to be a part of their campaign to raise funds for Crew Nation… We love our crew and we love our Brompton bikes.”
Source: NME
Enabling Live Music’s Survival
Two years ago, Brompton’s North America sales manager initiated a Band Bike Hire program where any touring crew or band can reserve bikes free of charge for the entirety of their US music tour. Tevis Jory, Music Lead & North America Sales manager at Brompton states on the website,
“In the last year, people around the world have been disrupted by the pandemic. Artists, crews and all the people who bring music to life have seen their livelihoods disappear. At the same time, the bike industry is booming, which lead me to ask, how can Brompton help our friends in the music industry?”
Crew Nation
Crew Nation provides financial support to affected crew workers. The pandemic has seen widespread cancellation of festivals and concerts across the globe and so this new fund aims to provide support to all backstage staff integral to live music. This includes production managers, tour managers, sound engineers, lighting directors and many more.
Twelve one-off custom bikes made in partnership with Crew Nation have raised money for the countless people who work behind the scenes to enable live music’s survival. The auction took place on Greenhouse Auctions on May 28th and ran until 12th June 2021.
Greenhouse
Greenhouse Auctions is an online auction platform designed to empower artists and promote diversity. It aims to support the musical arts and provide a welcoming platform for buyers. Shlomi Rabi, the founder of Greenhouse Auctions states on the Brompton site,
“It is an honour for Greenhouse Auctions to host the sale of unique Brompton bikes to benefit Crew Nation. Both entities must be commended for coming together to benefit the music community, combining the power of sound … to create this exciting charitable event. At Greenhouse, we share their values of empowerment and nurturing, particularly within vulnerable communities.”
Additionally, Stanley Donwood, the artist behind Radiohead’s record artwork since the ’90s, states on the Brompton website, “I’m ridiculously happy to have been asked to design a Brompton bike that’ll be auctioned to raise money (and awareness) for Crew Nation.”
He continues,
“Brompton bikes are fantastic zippy folding freedom machines and crews are the unsung heroes of every gig, festival or live events that you’ve ever been to.”
Brompton x Crew Nation
The artist collaboration project has resulted in a number of bikes designed in support of Crew Nation.
Radiohead x Crew Nation
The Brompton Black Edition M6L is by Stanley Donwood, often referred to as the sixth member of the band. Donwood’s design is a multicolour scheme with a compilation of elements from the band’s back catalogue of albums.
An In Rainbows album graphic appears on the main frame with the Radiohead bear logo on the front.
Foo Fighters x Crew Nation
Taylor Hawkins and Nate Mendel both put forward designs for the Crew Nation auction.
Hawkins, the band’s drummer, has chosen a black and yellow dramatic design. Inspired by his nickname, “Hawk”, hawks cover the frame of the M6L Black Edition.
Mendel has been inspired by his signature Yamaha BBNEII bass guitar, with a bass clef depicted on the frame.
Dinosaur Jr. x Crew Nation
This collaboration resulted in a purple metallic frame, band member J Mascis’ favourite colour.
The frame features a scatter of bright flower stickers across the bike with additional flower decals for the owner to further customise. The bike edition is a Brompton Superlight M6L.
LCD Soundsystem x Crew Nation
Fans of the dance/electronic set-up LCD Soundsystem will appreciate the eclectic paint job and clashing colour scheme of this bicycle.
It also features custom caulk grips to honour the band’s love of fishing. The design features a DFA Records logo pattern on the handlebar frame.
Oh Wonder x Crew Nation
The design concept spawns from Oh Wonder’s “Happy / Sad Songs” and serves as a reminder that riding a bike can improve overall mental health and become a source of happiness during uncertain times. The sleek block Khaki colour scheme juxtaposes a darker front frame. The Brompton Black Edition M6L also features the Oh Wonder decal on the front.
Subscribe to FIB’s Weekly Alchemy Report for your weekly dose of music, fashion and pop culture news!
