In a recent study led by US Senator Rand Paul, bands such as Slipknot, Korn, The Smashing Pumpkins, and Nickelback were mentioned in the yearly ‘Festivus Report,’ which highlights government spending considered wasteful.
The report focuses on how financial aid was given to major players in the music industry during the COVID-19 pandemic. The section titled ‘$200 million Ticket to Backstage’ in the report examines how relief funds were distributed to concert venues and theaters through the Small Business Administration (SBA).
In 2023, the report pointed out that there was $900 billion in federal waste, and a part of this sum exceeded $200 million, which was given to ‘numerous well-known music artists and their touring organizations.’ This distribution of funds occurred under the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant by the Small Business Administration.
What Band Was ‘Awarded’ the Most?
Notably, Slipknot received just under $10 million, and Slipknot’s Knotfest festival secured slightly over $1 million. Smashing Pumpkins obtained $8.6 million, while Korn was granted $5.3 million. Senator Rand makes a specific mention of the often-criticized Nickelback, stating:
“Even Nickelback received $2 million. While some may claim these funds were used to keep supporting staff, artists were not required to do so, and we have no way of determining how these blank checks were used. These multi-millionaire musicians were cashing checks, instead of the intended recipients – America’s small businesses.”
The guidelines for relief funding specified that applicants could receive 45% of their gross revenue from 2019, up to $10 million. Rand Paul’s report reveals a total of $900 billion in federal waste for the year 2023.
How Did This Annual ‘Holiday’ First Come Out?
The picture might have already given the spoilers for you. Festivus, a secular ‘anti-holiday’ observed on December 23, gained widespread recognition in 1997 after being featured in a popular episode of the sitcom Seinfeld.
Market as ‘Festivus for the rest of us,’ this celebration is embraced as an all-encompassing, secular alternative to the consumerism associated with Christmas.
