DROUGHT, RAVAGING FIRES AND NOW COVID-19.
Only three months into 2020 and it has been a nightmare. It is a world wide pandemic! But what does this mean for the live music industry?
When the bush fires hit, the entertainment industry were the first to stand up, hand in hand. Donated their time, services, and talent to help raise the much needed funds to support Australian communities, to rebuild lives. So what are we doing as a community to return the much deserved support? What will our Government do to support these businesses and individuals? Majority of people in the industry live gig to gig, shift to shift.
When the announcement was made on Friday to limited gatherings to 500 people of less came in, it caused worry. Everyone was worried about not attending that festival they were so excited for, or whether they would have the tickets fully refunded, but what about the event organisers, road crew, artists, hospitality, security, etc? They are having events cancelled day of, and watching months ahead of steady income disappear before their eyes.
As of the 15th of March Australia has 249 confirmed cases of Covid-19. With the numbers rising so is the fear and panic. The impact of the virus has been felt worldwide with large events been cancelled or postponed. In the US Dark mofo and Ultra music festival have been cancelled with Coachella been postponed til October. In Australia Sydney Vivid, The International Comedy festival are cancelled and large events been postponed or ticket sales been halted til further notice.
It has already been reported that the music industry is at a $25 million loss not a day after calculating industry losses, this is only confirmed jobs and not future work. How are these individuals suppose to survive with no income to support housing and living needs?
Federal Arts Minister, Paul Fletcher will host a Round table discussion on Tuesday March 17th to address the impact of Covid-19 and the government will support the creative arts sector.
On Monday 16th March Australian Government Deputy Chief, Paul Kelly mentioned in his daily briefing, they will be reviewing lowering the mass gathering to a limit less than 500 people for indoor spaces.
