Pearl Jam, Death Cab for Cutie, Sleater-Kinney, Run the Jewels, More Rally to Save Seattle's Showbox Theater
Ben Gibbard of Death Cab for Cutie, Mike McCready of Pearl Jam, Duff McKagan of Guns N’ Roses, and Macklemore are leading a group of artists to help save Seattle’s historic venue The Showbox. In a letter, they note, “Despite this venue’s iconic status, it is under threat. The Onni Group, a BC-based developer, plans to tear down The Showbox, to build a 44-story luxury residential tower in its place. We cannot let this happen.”
To help preserve the venue, a wide variety of artists have signed the letter: Among them are Sleater-Kinney, Run the Jewels, Dave Grohl, Neko Case, the xx, Fleet Foxes, the War on Drugs, Grizzly Bear, and many more. “For many of us, [the Showbox] played a critical role in our evolutions as artists and helped us launch national careers. It is not just another venue or stop on the road.”
The artists are working with public development authority Historic Seattle and encouraging people to contact Seattle’s City Council and Mayor Jenny Durkan. The letter concludes, “Together, we can save this iconic place, which continues to have an indelible impact on our city and artists from here and around the country.” Below, check out the full statement, which appeared in today’s Seattle Times.
