Fair Trade Music connects musicians, venues, and fans to promote a healthy music business—one that pays musicians fair wages. This is a grassroots campaign raising standards for freelance musicians through organizing, collective action, and education.

Local 427-721 certifies that venues have “Fair Trade Music” when they pay wages and benefits that are fair to both the musicians and the venue — that respect the livelihood of the performers, yet don’t put the venue out of business. Each Fair Trade Music chapter democratically decides what is fair, sustainable pay for venues. Guidelines are designed to accommodate a wide variety of businesses, from tiny coffee shops to large bars with liquor licenses.

When a venue signs on with Fair Trade Music, we issue them stickers, brochures and web-ready graphics. We and our local chapters promote the participating venues through our networks of fans, musicians, businesses, and other groups.

Venues benefit from a fan base that’s willing to pay good money for a show, buy drinks, and keep coming back.

Contact Us to learn more about Local 427-721’s Fair Trade Music requirements.