The Conor Byrne Cooperative is dedicated to redefining how we can preserve and nurture community music spaces, ensuring they remain alive and thriving, while also preserving this piece of Ballard history. Conor Byrne is the proving ground for brand new artists, often supporting musicians from their first open mic to their first ticketed show. Playing at Conor Byrne provides an opportunity for artists to cut their teeth before booking at the bigger Seattle venues and eventually national venues. Without a venue that prioritizes local music first, we would lose the catalyst for new musicians to join the larger local music ecosystem. As we transition Conor Byrne into a cooperative, our goal is to continue to expand the ways in which we can support the local music scene. We will do this financially, by continuing to pay artists and offer positions for sound, booking, and marketing, and professionally, through new educational programming, artist development, and first stage opportunities to emerging artists.
