Freaks Action Network announces “FAN Musicians Relief Fund” to benefit NYC-based professional musicians

The Freaks Action Network (FAN) has announced the launch of the FAN Musicians Relief Fund, which will administer one-time grants to New York City-based professional working musicians whose livelihoods have been directly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. For the fund’s initial 25 recipients, $10,000 has been earmarked by FAN for one-time grants of $400 each. 

To celebrate the launch of this endeavor and help support fundraising efforts, Karina Rykman will kick things off with a special “Freaks Night In” online performance on Thursday, July 16, 2020. FAN is dedicating it’s efforts for the remainder of the COVID-19 pandemic to raising additional funds to assist as many musicians as possible during these difficult times. 

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“FAN is all about turning the positive energy of live music into positive change in the world,” said FAN president Aaron Stein. “The COVID-19 pandemic has turned the world upside down and now it’s the live music world that needs help and that’s why we created this fund.” 

FAN was formed just over three years ago as a way for New York City-metro music-lovers to give back to the community that has given them so much joy and happiness. When the severity of the COVID-19 pandemic ground the formerly thriving NYC live music scene to a screeching halt, the FAN Board of Directors immediately came together to try to figure out how they could help area-based musicians. Out of these discussions, the FAN Musicians Relief Fund was born. 

Interested musicians who are residents of NYC and derive at least 50% of their income by performing live music in 2019 should visit the FAN website to apply for the one-time grant and learn about the full application process. Applications for the first phase are being accepted starting July 17. If you have questions about the fund, including potential partners and sponsors, reach out to musicrelief@freaksactionnetwork.org.

Freaks Action Network finds their roots in a group of like-minded New York City live music aficionados, NYC Freaks, who share their love of live music with a growing community. At first, the NYC Freaks would rally around annual anniversary concerts featuring their favorite bands. As they swelled to a group that is now 850 members strong, they discovered a desire to give back to the community that had provided it with so much joy. Through FAN, NYC Freaks have raised tens of thousands of dollars through concerts, auctions, and its sister organization, the #LiveMusicChallenge.

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