FINDING THE PERFECT HARMONY
Live gigs and festivals have been cancelled due to COVID-19. The livelihood of musicians and all those behind the scenes has been severely affected. Many are out of jobs leaving the music industry at risk. How have musicians been surviving during these uncertain times?
A declining industry:
The UK Music By Numbers 2019 report revealed that the UK music industry contributed £5.2 billion to the UK economy in 2018. Employment for the industry was also at an all-time high of 190,935 in 2018. Additionally, there was an increase of up 12% in music tourism, contributing £4.5 billion to the UK economy. However, this has had a drastic decline due to the repercussions of COVID-19 with a large part of the music industry paralysed.
The music industry has cancelled many events from upcoming tours to your favourite summer festivals. Nevertheless, your mainstream artists are not suffering from the same consequences of COVID-19 to those who are new, rising artists. Those who do not have the support from superior managements have had to adjust and adapt.
A disruptor for productions:
Vanessa Catherine White is a violinist who has faced the pressures of COVID-19 as a musician. Vanessa has been playing the violin since the age of seven and has had an incredible amount of success since then. She completed her studies at the Royal Northern College of Music performing alongside many notorious violinists and performing part of many renowned orchestras during her career.
White discussed how the pandemic immediately affected her music. Back in January, White was participating in a large tableau between Belgium, Germany and the UK. She was in the midst of auditions, learning content and networking between countries. Travel was becoming increasingly difficult as there was concern for the health and safety of those participating in the production. More auditions were to take place in Switzerland however, this came to an abrupt halt in March when the pandemic was unravelling at an increased rate with the nationwide lockdown being imposed.
White explained: “Everything was cancelled and as a musician a lot of people do travel between different international borders. It cuts the music scene within the international field with many jobs affected.”
A year without live events:
There is a lot of controversy regarding how the government has handled the pandemic. If many aspects were handled different, the industry may not be in as much of a decline as it is. With lockdown being introduced in March, and now nearly August with many new restrictions, if precautions were taken sooner perhaps there could have been a summer with live concerts and more interactive events for the music industry.
White added:“As a musician, I really miss live concerts and going out and performing in different venues and different areas of the world, but as a musician or anyone in the arts, we should learn to adapt to the situation.”
Despite this, people have still been entertained during this time by using platforms such as YouTube to launch online concerts. White is the co-founder and artistic director of Festival Fresco which is based in Manchester but the festival that was due to take place at the end of June was cancelled.
Alternatively, a weekend of YouTube concerts were held, a more “virtual festival”, with a lot of support from the wider community. White said: “The fact that it was online means we did get an audience from all around the world, with nearly 3000 views.”A positive during these dark times. She further explained that “it has brought the whole world together”.
Open to change:
It has been a difficult time financially with venues becoming redundant and countless jobs lost, it is going to hit the industry really hard. Nevertheless, White added: “As things start to go back to normal, more obscure chamber groups and ensembles will be born and there could be more musicians benefiting from this time getting opportunities.”
Feeling disheartened:
For many in the creative arts industry, it is likely that creators and musicians will have the longest wait until they are faced with their normality again. Greg Burns, drummer based in Leeds has used this time to be creative when performing is not an option.
Burns, drummer who plays with and for Necktr, Lausse the Cat, Nix Northwest, B-ahwe, Sfven and Tamzene was struck by the pandemic, with opportunities being put on hold.
Burns was in London doing a session for the BBC, but at this point there was already questioning of whereabouts and many other safety precautions prior to filming. Yet, in March many events were cancelled with tours and festivals not going ahead. Burns told me: “Not only in a financial sense, but an emotional sense, you get geared up and then it all gets taken away. The first weekend was a rough one but you do get used to it”
Being innovative during this time:
Also introducing live sessions from, Greg has additionally been recording from home, having the facilities to create more music. The pandemic has also been full of opportunities with many musicians having more time to spend on writing and creating demos. A time where creativity has flourished.
Despite this, he said: “I have personally struggled”.
As a self-employed artist, Burns was unable to qualify for the governmental grant to help musicians due to his previous job. Although, charities such as Help Musicians UK and the Musicians Union have released grants to aid musicians in need. Burns added: “They were very helpful, especially for those who freelance”. Grants were handed out but the main concern for Burns is surrounding venues and if they will be able to open in the next few months.
Nevertheless, although many musicians have seen the pandemic as a step back, Burns was thankful for this time as since graduating he has been going “100 miles per hour” but now has had time to reflect on his career and reassess. He added: “You have to make the most of the time.”
Music will have a comeback:
Although, the industry has been hit by the pandemic it is still thriving in many sectors. Artists all over the world have been able to bring out new music, perhaps more meaningful and honest. Despite this, the livelihood of many musicians has turned upside down but there is confidence that performers, venues and all those behind the scenes will thrive when the time is right.
