Provo’s iconic Club Velour had its mortgage paid off Thursday night, thanks to a fundraising campaign launched by the band Imagine Dragons, which got it start there.
Dan Reynolds and Imagine Dragons playing at Club Velour in Provo in 2015. Reynolds helped announce, on Thursday, May 12, 2022, that the club's mortgage has been paid in full.After being on the verge of financial collapse because of COVID-19 closures, Provo’s iconic Club Velour has been saved — with the help of some of its most famous alumni.
Reynolds and his Imagine Dragons bandmates heard in early 2021 that Fox was struggling to make mortgage payments on the building, at 135 N. University Ave. in Provo. The band started the “Free the Fox” campaign last June, at the Fork Fest Music Festival in American Fork, encouraging music fans to donate through Venmo or drop cash in buckets at the event. Zions Bank offered to match the funds raised in the campaign, up to $50,000.
Later last summer, Imagine Dragons and Neon Trees — both of which got their start playing at Velour and other venues in the Provo club scene — live-streamed a benefit concert on YouTube. Reynolds made a surprise appearance at Thursday’s event, performing two songs, including the Imagine Dragons’ hit “Believer.” Also performing were The Devil Whale, Josiah Johnson and John White.