BrooklynVegan to Shut Down After Veeps Mass Layoffs

BrooklynVegan, the New York‑based online music magazine founded in 2004, will cease operations following a wave of layoffs at its parent company, Veeps. The decision was confirmed by Pitchfork, which reported that Veeps has eliminated almost all editorial staff at BrooklynVegan and its sister publications—Alternative Press, Revolver and Goldmine.

The announcement came after Veeps informed the remaining BrooklynVegan employees that the magazine would close. The company’s founder, Dave Levine, was the only staff email that did not bounce back when reporters tried to reach him for comment.

BrooklynVegan began as a blog that mixed coverage of New York’s independent music scene with vegan food reviews. Over the next decade it grew into one of the internet’s longest‑running music publications, offering news, reviews, interviews and extensive live coverage across indie rock, punk, hardcore, metal and alternative genres. The site expanded with regional offshoots—BV Chicago and BV Austin—acquired the German‑American webzine Invisible Oranges in 2013, and launched an e‑commerce arm that sold vinyl, merchandise and collectibles.

Ownership changes have shaped the magazine’s trajectory. In 2015 BrooklynVegan became an affiliate of Townsquare Media. Project M Group bought the publication and its subsidiaries in 2021, and in 2025 Project M sold BrooklynVegan, along with several other music titles, to Veeps.

Veeps’ recent layoffs have affected a broad swath of its editorial portfolio. According to Pitchfork, the cuts have gutted the editorial teams of BrooklynVegan, Alternative Press, Revolver and Goldmine. The layoffs are part of a broader trend of cost‑cutting in the music‑media sector, driven by shifting advertising revenue models and the rise of streaming platforms.

The shutdown of BrooklynVegan marks a significant loss for the independent music journalism community. The magazine had built a reputation for in‑depth coverage of underground scenes and for providing a platform for emerging artists. Its closure will reduce the number of dedicated online outlets that focus on niche genres and local scenes.

Industry observers note that the layoffs reflect a tightening of budgets across digital media. While the exact financial reasons behind Veeps’ decision were not disclosed, the pattern mirrors similar moves by other music‑related companies that have recently cut staff or shuttered titles.

For the former BrooklynVegan staff, the immediate next step is to seek new employment. The publication’s website has been taken offline, and no replacement outlet has been announced. The closure also means that the magazine’s archives—spanning more than a decade of music coverage—will no longer be updated, although the existing content remains accessible.

The broader impact of the shutdown will be felt by the artists and venues that relied on BrooklynVegan for promotion and coverage. Local shows and tour announcements that had previously appeared on the site will need to find alternative channels.

As the music‑media landscape continues to evolve, the loss of long‑standing publications like BrooklynVegan underscores the fragility of niche online journalism in an era of consolidation and digital disruption.

The final status is that BrooklynVegan has ceased operations, with Veeps responsible for the layoffs and closure. No further plans for relaunch or acquisition have been announced.