Marshall Launched Film Series on Closed Music Venues
The Dead Venue Sessions showcases modern bands performing at the sites of historic, shuttered music stages.
Updated on Oct. 2, 2026 in Alternative
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Marshall has partnered with the agency Anomaly to release The Dead Venue Sessions, a film series highlighting the loss of independent music venues. Directed by filmmaker and photographer Cheryl Dunn, the series features bands performing new music inside sites that have transitioned into other commercial spaces.
Why it matters
The campaign aims to raise awareness and support for small, independent music venues that have disappeared from the cultural landscape. By revisiting these locations, the project emphasizes the importance of preserving grassroots spaces for future generations of artists.
The series features 3 unique locations across the United States. These venues include the former China Chalet in New York City, the former Stalag 13 in Philadelphia, and the former London Fog site in Los Angeles.
The players
Marshall
Marshall is a long-standing audio equipment brand that has supported independent musicians and live music venues since the early 1960s.
Cheryl Dunn
Cheryl Dunn is a filmmaker and photographer who directed The Dead Venue Sessions to highlight the cultural history of shuttered performance spaces.
Planta Industrial
Planta Industrial is a musical band that performed a new track at the site of the former China Chalet in New York City.
Sweet Pill
Sweet Pill is a band that participated in the film series by performing at the location of the former Stalag 13 venue in Philadelphia.
The Linda Lindas
The Linda Lindas are a musical act that performed at the site of the legendary former London Fog music venue in Los Angeles.
The details
The films depict modern musical acts as they visit and perform within former concert spaces that now function as different types of businesses. Featured performances include Planta Industrial at the China Chalet, Sweet Pill at the Stalag 13 site, and The Linda Lindas at the London Fog location.
Timeline
The Marshall brand began its long-term support for independent artists and venues in the early 1960s.
The Dead Venue Sessions film series was launched on October 2, 2026.
Industry Dynamics
This project highlights the ongoing trend of independent music venue closures, providing a cultural counterpoint to the physical loss of these stages. By blending high-production documentary work with artist performances, the series reflects how brands are increasingly using archival nostalgia to address industry-wide concerns.
Fans can view the performances and documentary footage online to engage with the stories of these defunct music spaces. The series serves as a digital archive, allowing listeners to experience how these legendary sites have changed over time.
The takeaway
Preserving the legacy of small music venues is essential for maintaining the health of the local music ecosystem. Fans can support their current local scenes by attending shows at surviving independent clubs and participating in local music advocacy.
Further reading
For more on how artists are responding to the shifting concert environment, visit the Alternative section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Creative Review.
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