How you can support your favourite artists as pandemic slashes gig income
With all gigs cancelled and no certainty as to when concerts can begin again, performers and their teams have lost their primary income from live shows. But there is a way you can help.
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Artists are kicking off movements to encourage fans to go on streaming binges or donate ticket refunds to support them as they deal with the catastrophic hit to their livelihoods.
With all gigs cancelled and no certainty as to when concerts can begin again, performers and their teams have lost their primary income from live shows and are yet to receive targeted government assistance.
Music charity Support Act launched the Sound Of Silence website on Friday, asking for donations to assist artists, roadies and related employees in crisis.
It will also direct fans to artist merchandise stores, encouraging them to buy a T-shirt including a custom made Sound of Silence tee.
Fans are also asked to hang onto tickets for postponed gigs to keep funds in the music ecosystem.
Music rights body PPCA also announced they will give artists cash advances from $250 to $10,000.
The Cat Empire, whose European tour and spots on Bluesfest and Groovin The Moo have been cancelled, launched their Lockdown Get Down initiative on Thursday.,
They lost $750,000 in performance fees in just two days of cancellations plus face expenses which are unrecoverable.
“Our industry is under serious global threat as gatherings in public spaces are not allowed to continue,” The Cat Empire’s manager Corinne Wilkie said.
“There are no bail out packages for musicians, or songwriters, sculptors, photographers, creators … And yet, we desperately need the beauty of artists reflected in the world so we can find our way through the dark times.”
ILostMyGig website, which is monitoring the hit to the concert industry due to the pandemic shutdown, has received reports of more than $200 million in lost income since they started counting the cost five days ago.
The Lockdown Get Down movement is simple and asks fans to play their favourite artists non-stop on your preferred streaming service, consider moving to a paid streaming subscription if that is manageable, create a playlist; name it lockdowngetdown, and share it with your friends and post Lockdown Get Down photos and videos with hashtags #lockdowngetdown and #thecatempire so “we can see you all rocking out at home.”
“After giving so generously to bushfire recovery efforts around Australia recently, we know that people are low on cash reserves to help others,” the band’s manager Corinne Wilkie said.
“But this idea won’t cost you any more than what you are already paying to listen to music, and if you use a free streaming service, then it won’t cost you at all.
“However, it is important for our industry to educate music lovers to upgrade to paid subscriptions where manageable, which is significantly more beneficial to musicians than listening for free.”
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John Butler is also on the Lockdown Get Down train.
“This is our way to sing from the cyber balconies in these difficult times,” Butler said, referencing the heartwarming balcony concerts which have sprung up throughout Italy.
“”We know what music is for the world and we know how important it is to make sure artists you love are supported so they can keep making the good stuff. It’s a symbiotic relationship.
“Stream your favourites on repeat and help the artists help you.”
The music industry benevolent fund Support Act, which assists everyone from artists to roadies, is also hoping the #keepyourticket movement will add to their COVID-19 Relief Fund.
#Keepyourticket encourages fans who have had a refund due to the cancellations or planned to go to a gig in the coming months to donate “a few of those dollars” to the Support Act relief effort.
Support Act will distribute grants to those struggling to pay their rent and put food on their table because of losing gigs.
Independent musician Kira Puru is also pushing a social media campaign asking Australian radio stations to up their broadcasting of local artists beyond their quotas to increase royalty income for recording artists and songwriters.
“A challenge to Australian radio stations to play mostly/exclusively Aussie artists to jack up our royalties while we wait for our gigs to pick up again!” she posted.
“One small, literally free way to aid local artists.”
Another artist Jack River weighed in on the campaign, suggesting government agencies and big businesses switch their hold music to playlists of Australian songs.
“If you can’t fit us in your programming, then maybe consider putting us in your on-hold music. How many people in the country are on hold right now?” Puru said.
While there is no end in sight for the concert shutdown, fans are remaining confident gigs will be back on by the end of the year as evidenced by the huge demand for Harry Styles tickets this week.
His pre-sales ran so hot Live Nation added second shows in Sydney and Melbourne ahead of general tickets going on sale on Friday from 2pm.
Styles will play a second show at Sydney’s Qudos Bank Arena on November 21 and at Melbourne’s Rod Laver Arena on November 29.
“The safety of fans, artists and staff is always our top priority and we will continue to monitor advice from the local state Government regarding mass gatherings,” a Live Nation statement announcing the extra shows read.
“The Harry Styles Australia and New Zealand tour is proceeding as planned and we are excited to welcome everyone to the events in November and December.
“In the event of a cancellation, exchanges and refunds will be processed according to AU/NZ consumer law.”
Originally published as How you can support your favourite artists as pandemic slashes gig income
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