Of recent memory, the live music industry in the United Kingdom seemed to be booming. Worth £1.1 billion and an overall festival attendance of 4.9 million, many thought we were living amidst a ‘golden age’ of live music. Following on from the turmoil of the 2008 financial crash, the industry had well and truly risen from the ashes - notably on course to be worth £25 billion by 2022. However, due to the recent emergence of the Coronavirus, this doesn’t seem likely anymore.
You don’t need to be a certified Einstein to see the dire effects over the past couple of months on live music: a $9 billion industry loss; artists' income from touring vanquished; promoters such as Live Nation at one point losing two-thirds of their stock. As well as this, age-old festivals which have stood the test of time have been forced to cancel, including Glastonbury, Download, Isle of Wight, and SXSW. Whilst some hopeful others have stood firm this summer, such as Coachella, Primavera, and Reading & Leeds, the prospects of these coming to fruition seems ever-dwindling.
"Realistically we’re talking fall 2021 at the earliest". - Dr. Ezekiel Emanuel
Nevertheless, much of the industry is maintaining a wait-and-see response to reopening venues and allowing live shows to resume. And this is where the recent controversy of University of Pennsylvania's Dr. Ezekiel Emanuel’s recent comments are situated. His prediction that the earliest resumption of mass social gatherings would only be from late August 2021 sent those on all sides of the industry into a tailspin. Given the prospect of an effective vaccine coming to light within the next 12 months, including his assertion that there is “[no] better place for spreading a disease”, the initial conclusion certainly bears some validity.
While it’s important to bear in mind that these assertions have only been born from one source, we also have to take into consideration the future vision of such mass gatherings. Temperature checks, face masks, and on-site testing could all bear themselves at live shows throughout the world to ensure the health and safety of those in attendance. As countries begin to sporadically re-open their borders, this will inevitably put further strain on promoters booking travelling acts, as well as festivals needing to book interchangeable headliners on their lineups.
Rather than pontificating on the potential future effects of Covid-19, let’s see exactly what is our current situation. Around 72% of the UK’s music industry is held up by freelancers who are undoubtedly pivotal to its future prospects of survival, as well as the majority of grassroots venues across this country which are set for eviction with little relief from rental fees. Whilst the government have enrolled a furlough payment scheme for those self-employed, it’s crucial, too, that landlords are held accountable for their rental fees within these financially stringent times - particularly within extortionately expensive metropolitan areas.
For musicians and performers currently without any space to perform, the government should look to remove VAT on physical products online, and online streaming services should continue in Spotify’s footsteps by adding fundraising links to artists’ pages (as well as reducing their streaming commission rates). Admirably, Bandcamp recently lifted their commission fees online which resulted in a $4.3 million surplus going directly to the musicians who need it the most during these trying times.
Further to this, Arts Council England have already raised £160 million and Help Musicians a further £5 million to support those working in the industry in maintaining some degree of financial stream which can only be seen as a promising omen. Returning to artists, the world of online streaming has ultimately become intrinsic to their current survival: from unique Instagram live performances, to collaborative online efforts such as ‘One World: Together at Home’ which has already been viewed over 270 million times. Crucially, social media and group chat platforms are effectively filling the void of live shows in ensuring the profiles of artists in the public eye and a chance to plug fundraisers.
During these tumultuous times we find ourselves in as music lovers, please continue to support your favoured artists, venues, labels, promoters, and workers - whether it be watching live streams or financial donations (links which can be found below). Continue to stay at home in order to help alleviate the strenuous pressures that the infallible health services are enduring, and hopefully we can all return to normality in the not-so-distant future. It may take us a while to reach the industry’s lofty heights of yesteryear in this transformative period, but one thing is for certain: live music has been around for centuries and will certainly be there waiting for us beyond the defeat of Covid-19. So, I’ll see you on the other side.
Fundraisers for Venues, Record Shops and Artists:
Save The Windmill in Brixton
Save The Village Underground & EartH in Hackney
Save Sister Midnight in Deptford
Save Small Pond in Brighton
Help bring Crystal Axis to Decolonise Fest
A Guide to Supporting Musicians in the Streaming Age is available for free via Specialist Subject.
Support and find out more if you’re a freelancer - go to IPSE and Arts Council England.
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