Australian music star Clare Bowditch’s fury as Omicron health orders hit live music

Ticket sales have stalled and no-shows at gigs are rising as government health orders crush live music. Now, Clare Bowditch has unleashed.

Beloved Australian musician and author Clare Bowditch has reached “a level of utter fury”.

For two years, she has watched the decimation of the industry she loves because of border closures, lockdowns and restrictions that have closed pubs, clubs and festival stages.

But now “fly-by-night” public health orders issued during the Omicron outbreak targeting live music, but not sport, have forced the cancellations of the Twilight at Taronga concert series, the Sydney Mardi Gras party, dozens of festivals and gigs.

Leading ticketing agency OzTix data shows the waves of cancellations over the past two years have eroded consumer confidence to the extent fans are hesitant to buy tickets in 2022 and “no shows” are now between 30 to 60 per cent at gigs still able to go ahead in Australia in January.

Clare Bowditch said a lack of government planning and health orders unfairly targeting live music are killing the industry. Picture: Supplied.

Venue owners are shutting their doors because of the threat of huge fines if people aren’t seated or sing and dance, yet weddings and private functions aren’t subject to the same orders.

Bowditch said the “disregard and almost disdain coming from government leadership for the creative industries is absolutely unconscionable.”

“Leaders who banned singing and dancing did so without consultation with the industry and not based on any scientific research,” she said.

A French study published in medical journal The Lancet in November reported “until herd immunity is achieved, our findings showed that participation in a large, indoor, live concert without physical distancing was not associated with heightened SARS-CoV-2-infection risk, provided comprehensive preventive measures were implemented.”

Bowditch said consumer confidence in gigs could have been shored up by a national business interruption fund instead of state-by-state initiatives.

Other protocols including rapid testing at events and mask-wearing would have helped to allay the anxiety of fans attending music events.

“There could have been a national strategy for touring parties for festivals and concerts as they did with sporting events,” Bowditch said.

Twilight At Taronga cancelled because of recent health orders targeting live music. Picture: Supplied.

“Our songs, our stories, our movies have helped people to remain hopeful in these times that have been so dark, so throw us a f … ing bone.”

OzTix CEO Brian Chladil said there have six major disruptions to the live music industry over the three waves of Covid, each one putting bands and their teams back to square one in planning and scheduling shows.

Not only has 90 per cent of touring income gone in the past year alone, many businesses have lost more money having to refund tickets and then rebook shows.

“Ticket sales have now plummeted to an all-time low with Omicron, worse than when Covid was first a thing and worse than the Delta second wave,” he said.

“It’s a very bad time to be in a band, own a venue or be an event producer. I can smell the fear.”

The high rate of no-shows has a roll-on effect for venues; fans who don’t show up, don’t buy food or drinks.

“Often the ticket price covers the cost of hosting the show and the money is made on food and beverage,” he said.

“In early 2021 we were all shocked we were starting to get 10 to 15 per cent no-shows. In December we started seeing 30 per cent and in January we are now seeing 50 to 60 per cent at some events.

“There is no Covid normal really but we do have to wonder when governments are going to accept that shutting down music venues and events, when everyone else is allowed to open, is not helping anyone.”