"Standing Still Is A Greater Risk Than Making A Move": NYC's Le Poisson Rouge Launches LPR.tv Concerts

New York City venue and downtown cultural institution (le) poisson rouge has announced the launch of LPR.tv, a subscription-based service through which they will live-stream concerts held in their venue space (without audience) in high definition with full production and soundboard audio.

The venue has booked a wide array of artists for LPR.tv's inaugural lineup, including !!! (Chk Chk Chk), Cults, San Fermin, Kimbra, Sunflower Bean, Kevin Devine, Son Little, Laraaji, Too Many Zooz and more.

LPR have confirmed nearly two dozen shows through the end of 2020 and are still adding to their lineup.

The subscription is priced at $19.99 per month and LPR.tv subscribers will receive access to all of the venue's live-streamed concerts, plus on-demand access to their archive of past streams, as well as interviews, lessons and more.

LPR cites "putting its team back to work while also doing its part to help everyone from artists and agents to engineers and lighting techs" as the impetus for the series.

Composer and LPR co-founder David Handler and senior music director / partner Brett Tabisel have shared some thoughts on LPR.tv, the state of the industry at large and the future of their venue.

David Handler (composer and LPR co-founder) says:

"There comes a point where standing still is a greater risk than making a move. A point where we have to put points on the board and playing defense simply will not cut it. Our venue has been closed for a half a year now and, like nearly everyone in our industry, we've battened down the hatches as much as possible to weather the storm, but still it feels like we are no closer to live music venues reopening than when this all began. We can no longer continue to wait in fear while others decide whether live music is essential or not. In short, we have to switch from defense to offense.

LPR.tv was born out of our need to safely get back to doing what we do best, putting on bold, carefully curated and unique live performances for a discerning audience. It’s about getting artists out of their living rooms and back on stage where they belong. It’s about putting our production team back to work making everything look and sound extraordinary. It’s about supporting an ecosystem of the indie music industry that has been hit hard by this pandemic. Most importantly though, it’s about giving the fans that profoundly important experience of witnessing live art, but in the comfort of their homes, until it’s safe to bring audiences back to the venue again.  That we turn to music to be inspired with one another and by one another is one of the better parts of what makes us human. It is an innate ritual that we are privileged to be a part of as presenters. I can’t think of anything more essential at a time like this."

Brett Tabisel (Senior Music Director / Partner) adds:

"The LPR.tv format has given us the opportunity to do what we do best: curate eclectic, exciting, and adventurous programming once again. The subscription model allows us to take the risks we are known for, while giving artists a platform to perform safely, with the production quality they deserve. Our independent spirit and determination to innovate will not be silenced. The support for LPR.tv from our community and peers has been inspiring and motivating. Honored to feed your eyes and ears with what we have in store."