Multi-Platinum, Grammy-Nominated Artist Lewis Capaldi Honors Independent Venues, Donates to Niva Following Tribute to Rockwood Music Hall
Capaldi’s donation underscores the role of independent venues as critical, yet increasingly vulnerable, spaces
NEW YORK (April 17, 2026) –The National Independent Venue Association (NIVA) extends its deepest gratitude to multi-platinum, GRAMMY-nominated artist Lewis Capaldi for paying tribute to the independent stages that launched his career and for supporting NIVA’s mission to sustain them.
Thursday night, April 16, during his headlining performance at Madison Square Garden, Capaldi, who is currently on a sold-out North American headlining tour, honored New York City’s Rockwood Music Hall, where he played his first U.S. headline show in 2017. For more than 15 years, Rockwood served as a cornerstone of New York City’s live music ecosystem, giving emerging artists an early stage in an intimate setting before closing its doors.
“I played my first ever headline show in America at Rockwood Music Hall, a tiny room with a handful of people, and I was absolutely gutted when I heard it had closed,” said Capaldi. “Last night I got to play Madison Square Garden, and that journey doesn’t happen without places like Rockwood, or the people behind them who take a chance on artists before anyone else will.”
During the show, Capaldi shared a video reflecting on the venue and its impact on his career [watch]. After inviting former Rockwood staff and their families to attend his show as VIP guests, Capaldi made a donation to NIVA, whose mission is to support and sustain independently owned and operated venues like Rockwood.
“I had the privilege of booking Lewis’ first North American show at Rockwood on April 21, 2017,” said Matt Currie, Talent Booker at Rockwood Music Hall from 2009 to 2022. “‘Bruises’ had only been out a few weeks, but you could already feel something special happening. Thank you, Lewis, for remembering that first NYC night and for shining a light on the importance of small, independent venues. From that tiny stage on the Lower East Side, all the way to MSG, I’m thrilled to be here cheering you on.”
Capaldi’s tribute is both a powerful celebration and a sobering reminder that, across the country, independent venues are increasingly fragile. According to the 2025 State of Live Report, only 36 percent of independent venues, festivals, and promoters across the U.S. are profitable. Even amidst the instability facing these small businesses, they are essential, generating $153.1 billion in total economic output each year. Artists’ voices are critical in bringing attention to the irreplaceable role these venues have in launching and sustaining their careers.
“NIVA is immensely grateful for Lewis’ generosity and for using his voice to uplift the independent stages that create opportunities for artists every day,” said Stephen Parker, Executive Director of NIVA. “His leadership sets a powerful example. When artists reach back to support the rooms that first believed in them, they help ensure those spaces can continue to launch the next generation of talent.”
By honoring the venue that gave him his start and supporting NIVA, Capaldi is reinforcing a simple truth. Great artists come from small stages, and those stages need to survive.
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ABOUT LEWIS CAPALDI
Lewis Capaldi’s debut album, Divinely Uninspired to a Hellish Extent, was the biggest selling UK album of 2019 and 2020, propelling him from bedroom musician to superstar. In addition to a GRAMMY® nomination for “Song of the Year,” the single “Someone You Loved” won the BRIT Award for “Song of the Year” alongside Capaldi’s “Best New Artist” trophy. The song stands as the UK’s most streamed song of all time and the fourth highest ever streamed song in the world. With Broken By Desire To Be Heavenly Sent, he scored his second UK No. 1 album and three UK No. 1 singles, “Pointless,”“Wish You The Best,”and “Forget Me.” The 2023 album earned praise from the likes of Rolling Stone, The Guardian, NME, GQ, Stereogum, and TIME, with the latter noting that “Capaldi’s talent is tugging at heartstrings — or rather, pulling at them with all his vocal might.” The New York Times observed, “Capaldi has a scorched cannon of a voice, and it’s best deployed on songs about anguish. To date, his career has lurched forward one vocal bloodletting at a time.” Taking its name from the album’s closing song, the compelling music documentary Lewis Capaldi: How I’m Feeling Now, in partnership with Netflix, BMG, and Pulse Films, shot straight to the top of the Netflix chart, making it the most watched film on the platform since its release, and was nominated for a GRAMMY® Award for “Best Music Film.” His acclaimed Survive EP out now, has already proven to be a defining chapter in Capaldi’s career, with the title track becoming the UK’s fastest-selling single of 2025 as well as his sixth No. 1 on the UK Singles Chart. Capaldi’s new track“Stay Love”is out now.
ABOUT NIVA
The National Independent Venue Association (NIVA) is the national trade association representing thousands of independent live entertainment venues, festivals, promoters, and more. NIVA works to preserve and nurture the ecosystem of live entertainment. NIVA empowers members and their teams with member benefits, advocacy on the state, local, and federal levels, an annual industry-leading conference, and more.
NIVA led the Save Our Stages campaign, culminating in landmark legislation in 2020 that established the $16.25 billion Shuttered Venue Operators Grant program, the largest arts investment in U.S. history.
NIVA is committed to equity in its support of independent stages. It seeks to create and encourage opportunities for venues, promoters, and festivals owned, operated, and staffed by people of color, women, non-binary, LGBTQ+, veterans, and people with disabilities.
CONTACT
Lucky Break PR
Kris Ferraro, Kris@luckybreakpr.com
Mike Stommel, Mike@luckybreakpr.com
