QMusic CEO speaks out about Australian live music industry during Covid

Letters to the editor address state of a struggling industry and readers have their say on Census requirements.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Live music industry suffers

As we face yet another difficult week in the live music industry, I wanted to reach out to say how much I know you are hurting.

And that with each lockdown, border closure and step back in capacity restrictions, we know your livelihood and our entire industry is at greater risk.

We are spending hours in conversations daily with stakeholders and the government to explore pathways to ensure that there is a future for music in Queensland.

But we need to publicly acknowledge that we’ve reached a crisis point.

That, as our country faces a medical emergency, the health of the Australian music industry is in critical condition.

I think the solution no longer lies in relaxations and travel bubbles – circumstances are changing too fast and too often for that.

We’ve all explored different ways of ‘doing business’ over the past 18 months – and there’s been some absolutely cracking efforts – but really, none of it is financially feasible or sustainable in a time of lockdowns.

At this moment, we need to be seen for the $2 billion contribution we make to the economy. Live music income has fallen nationally from $862m in 2019 to only $86m last year – and that is money that has been lost by live music workers like you.

Lockdowns do not affect every worker in the same way.

We are an extensive ecosystem of individuals and microbusinesses who are being crushed financially, mentally and emotionally because lockdowns affect our vulnerable industry far more than they do some others.

As hidden victims in this pandemic, it’s not just gigs that are being lost, is it?

People are losing businesses, homes, and most importantly, loved ones, due to the financial devastation brought by Covid.

We want to acknowledge the work that the Queensland Government is doing, and the fact that they do want to help – but we also feel that Queensland as a whole needs to look to what is working in other states, from microbusiness grants to industry-wide $75m support packages, so that there is a future for Queensland music when this pandemic is under control.

We view this as the biggest and most important challenge we’ve ever taken on for our members and our sector, and while there’s been success in lobbying for venue support, we know there needs to be more assistance for all of our members: crew, agents, managers, publicists, production companies, promoters and of course individual artists.

We at QMusic are working to do this every day; to get our industry the support it needs to survive.

I want no one to be lost to the industry because they weren’t able to be supported through this. This is a high-stakes problem. This is about people’s businesses and lives.

What do we want you to do?

Firstly – take care of yourself and your family.

There is some financial assistance available that you should check out.

Secondly, if you have a personal story you’d be willing to share about how Covid is impacting you and your family please email me, so we can build a vivid picture of “The Humans of Queensland Music”.

This can even extend to any challenges you’re having finding and accessing support.

I make a personal guarantee to ensure those stories are received and heard by the government.

Please know that you are not alone. We are here for you, we are fighting for you and our focus is on getting results that will help support you. Music will prevail.

– Kris Stewart, CEO, QMusic

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FACEBOOK COMMENTS

You can be prosecuted and face fines of $222 a day for not completing your census forms. Here’s what you need to know to avoid that.

Tasha Chowdhury: There’s so many questions and they’re personal, like why do they need to know all this stuff!

Anjii K McDougall: Haven’t even got it, and didn’t the internet crash last time with census online???

Tina Walker: I received a letter to do online it was easy online didn’t crash at all but the questions are bloody ridiculous and so many.

Norm Smith Jnr: Not when ill be out bush camping on that date.

Sandra Oram: I have received absolutely nothing. Would some one please post link to do online. Thank you.

Janelle Kitchen: More revenue raising.

Peter Freeman: The elderly will suffer. Order a paper copy online, fill it out online … they won’t even get a say because you muppets believe everybody has or wants to be online.

Marlene Gilligan: We all have to do it. What’s the problem?

Originally published as QMusic CEO speaks out about Australian live music industry during Covid