Library launches streaming service for local musicians
The San Francisco Public Library is inviting patrons to raise their voices to celebrate the launch of its new free music streaming service, “Bay Beats.”
The debut of the new feature will be marked with an event at the Main Library on Saturday, Oct. 28, featuring a diverse lineup of participating artists. The initiative, born of a desire to support local musicians affected by the COVID-19 pandemic in partnership with local retailer Amoeba, offers them a platform for wider exposure.
“Musicians can expand their audiences by the thousands and showcase their art for our community’s enjoyment,” Michael Lambert, the city librarian, said in a statement.
The festivities are scheduled from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Fulton Street Plaza outside the Main Library. The event will feature performances by “Bay Beats” artists such as children’s musician Alison Faith Levy, country-rock act Nashville Honeymoon, hip-hop artist UnLearn the World, neo-soul band Tori Roze & the Hot Mess, multilingual pop artists Razteria and moody pop group Gloomy June.
DJ Teemoney, a member of the community jury responsible for selecting the acts, will spin between live performances.
There will also be food trucks, a bookmobile and family-friendly activities. Given the proximity to Halloween, attendees are encouraged to embrace the festive spirit by wearing costumes.
Earlier this year, the library issued a call for submissions and received an overwhelming response, with over 600 solo musicians and bands
Bay Beats Launch Party: 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 28. Free. Main Library, Fulton Street steps and plaza, S.F. baybeats.sfpl.org
from the nine Bay Area counties submitting their tracks for consideration. From this pool, officials selected more than 100 acts for the service.
The featured musicians will receive a $250 honorarium for their participation and retain rights to their work. Additionally, they will have dedicated artist pages on the “Bay Beats” website, allowing them to promote their upcoming live shows, new music releases and merchandise.
Listeners eager to explore the musical treasure trove do not need a library card to access the platform. However, for the over 450,000 San Francisco Public Library cardholders, downloading music from “Bay Beats” is free.
The San Francisco Public Library’s “Bay Beats” joins the ranks of nearly a dozen other North American library systems employing the streaming software provided by startup Rabble, including Nashville Public Library’s “BoomBox” and New Orleans Public Library’s “Crescent City Sounds.”
“For anyone wondering whether we’ve still got it, I can personally assure you that the music scene in San Francisco and beyond is alive and well,” said Brian Weaver, the librarian who led the launch effort in San Francisco. “To say we’re excited to launch ‘Bay Beats’ is an understatement — we can’t wait for everyone to discover bands and artists they’ve never heard before.”