Along with other industries that were highly impacted by the coronavirus crisis are the cultural and creative sectors. Art performers, museum-goers, cinephiles, or music fans were hit hard by social distancing measures. Festivals, concerts, or clubs are on pause. LIVE2020, a solidarity fund set up by the Belgian live music sector to support colleagues during these difficult (financial) times, encourages people to “Save the clubs. Wear the clubs.”

Since mid-March, silence has settled in concert halls, cinemas, clubs, and other cultural centers. COVID-19 hit not only the artists and fans, but also the people who contributed to an event: organizers, technicians, stage builders, and many other people. In Belgium, this music sector is disconnected, says LIVE2020. Yet, #UnitedForLiveMusic — and with the help of Belgian creative agency Happiness, an FCB alliance — they plan to give live music venues a little push, with a limited T-shirt collection.

Instead of featuring band t-shirts, the collection is about “Venue T-shirts.” You probably have at least one T-shirt with your favorite band in your wardrobe, but what would you say if you were to wear a T-shirt that supports venues? Clubs and all those who work in such places have been hard-hit by the current crisis and they are now struggling to survive the second lockdown. With LIVE2020 Collection, the organization aims to raise more money to support those who are part of this universe.

The T-shirts’ artwork was created by designers or visual artists and the proceeds from the sale of these pieces of garments will go to the LIVE2020 Fund, raising money for people who make live music possible in the clubs. By buying such a T-shirt, the audience is instantly helping the most severely affected in the Belgian live scene.

Among those who worked on these T-shirts are world-famous fashion photographer Willy Vanderperre who is behind the artwork for Antwerp club Trix’s T-shirt; collage artist Sammy Slabbinck who designed the T-shirt for L’Entrepôt in Arlon; street artist Bué the Warrior who imagined Democrazy Ghent’s design; or Mosaert (Stromae’s fashion label), responsible for the print on the Ancienne Belgique’s T-shirt.

The project also includes Belgian musicians who acted as models for this collection. Tessa Dixson, Joffrey Anane, Gert Malfliet, Glints, and Meyy (amongst others) were directed by Sidney Van Wichelen and photographed by Ines Vansteenkiste-Muylle. Stylists, sound engineers, cameramen, and others joined as volunteers striving to help this sector survive. Besides the posters, the campaign is also supported by a short video.

Since the start of the current global crisis, LIVE2020 has been raising money to help people in this sector keep going. The organization is in the aid of various private individuals and projects within the live music sector and hopes that, by selling these Venue T-Shirts, there will be more money to further help people in this sector.

Credits:

LIVE2020, LIVE2020 Collection

Chief Creative Officer: Geoffrey Hantson

Creative Director: Katrien Bottez

Concept Provider: Tom Berth

Concept Provider: Joris Van der Plaetsen

Concept Provider: Geert De Rocker

Account Manager: Lukas Das

Strategic Planner: Wesley Roeland

Content Provider: Jil Dockx

Content Provider: Lina Corrigan

Head of Motion: Remke Faber

Head of Design: Dries Lauwers

Designer: Arno Wynant

Designer: Victor Destrebecq

DTP: Romaine Dhainaut

Project manager Webshop: Kris Van Wallendael

Project manager Webshop: Joni Allaert

Project manager Webshop: Stef Cuypers

Head of Production: Bart Vande Maele

Print Producer: Pascal Delfosse

Production: VANSI PRODUCTION

Production

VANSI PRODUCTION

Agency: Happiness Brussels

Film Director: Sidney Van Wichelen

DOP: Virgil Leclercq

1 AC: Patrick Nishimwe

2 AC: Sara Van Acoleyen

Steadycammer: Charly Vandendrick

Gaffer: Ken Sodyum

Elektro: Rhomi Martens

Sound Department: Chez Freddy

Sound Engineer: Eli Sundermann

Music: Gert Malfliet & Eli Sundermann

Art Department: Javor Malehounov

Editors: Sidney Van Wichelen

Editors: Jasper Flikschuh

Photographer: Ines Vansteenkiste-Muylle

Photographer Assistant: Syntyche Boda

Photographer Assistant: Louis Kerckhof

MUA: Gladys Ferro

Styling: Eveline Briand

Styling assistant: Joe Nekcans