đˇ Festival sector losses estimated at $16,8bn; Blockfest announces second postponement; Mood Media, owner of Muzak, files for bankruptcy; Secondary ticketing execs talk Covid-19 effects
Daily update for the music business on the coronavirus (July 13)
This week: no daily editions as we take a short break. Expect this weekâs only other edition on Thursday from Maarten. We hope you have a great week!
Report: Covid-19 to cost festival sector $16.8bn globally (IQ)
Viberate calculates that the direct economic impact of Covid-19 on music festivals is $16.8bn, with $5.1bn â or around 30% â of that coming from losses in ticket sales. The remainder of the monetary loss comes from other festival site businesses, such as food and drink suppliers, merchandise vendors and other paid-for onsite facilities.
Rave Family Blockfest Announces Second Postponement: 'Itâs Not Fair to Deliver a Subpar Experience' (Billboard)
An email sent by event organizers to participating artists and managers earlier today stated that the high number of attendees who were unfamiliar with the Minecraft game was creating myriad issues and that they would be prioritizing additional how-to and walkthrough content. Nearly a thousands Acts from across the scene including Bob Moses, Maya Jane Coles, deadmau5, Steve Aoki, Skream, Blondish, Seth Troxler, Khruangbin and MK more were scheduled to perform.
Secondary Ticketing Market Sees Promise Beyond Treacherous Waters (Pollstar)
Major platforms, such as StubHub, SeatGeek and VividSeats, and independent resellers alike have been pinched from both sides, with promoters and venues scrambling to reschedule and rethink calendars while customers, many affected by job loss and economic uncertainty, seek refunds for events that often have yet to be formally called off.
In-Store Music Provider Mood Media to File for Bankruptcy, Citing Costs and COVID-19 (Billboard)
The Austin-based company is best known for Muzak, the background music specialist it purchased in 2011. Since then, Mood Music has built a one-stop shop for in-store products from music to scents, digital signage and, and most recently, germicidal protection products.
Concert venues still in a pinch as Canadaâs live music industry gets fed support (The Star)
There was a glimmer of hope on Tuesday when Heritage Minister Steven Guilbeault outlined a program that lets owners of for-profit venues apply for a piece of $20 million promised to support the live music sector. The money will be divided among numerous corners of the industry, including venues, concert promoters, booking agents, managers and music festivals. The funding is part of the second phase of support in the $500-million emergency support measures introduced in May for Canadaâs arts and culture organizations.
What Does a Music Festival During a Pandemic Look Like? Weâre About to Find Out (Pitchfork)
Given the festâs unfortunate marketing and apparent lack of safeguards against spreading the virus, Royal Blissâs label suggested to their management that they should pull out of the event. âHonestly, I was stoked!â Richards admits. âAll I needed to hear was one person in our camp saying, âLetâs not do this,â and we all fully agreed and made the call right then.â
#LetTheMusicPlay: Musicians and crew âfacing biggest crisis since the 1920sâ (NME)
He added: âThe Musiciansâ Union hasnât had a crisis like this since the 1920s when movies with talking first came in. Silent movies meant great employment for musicians because cinemas had orchestras and string quartets. As soon as the talkies came in, they got shot of them all. It is looking bleak.â
During hymn-less Masses, parish musicians turn to ancient solution: antiphons (Detroit Catholic)
To discourage congregations from singing, parishes have ceased using well-known hymns, and turned instead to an ancient solution: antiphons, or short sentences traditionally sung or chanted by a cantor of choir, common in an era before pew hymnals.
This Metal Band Was Determined to Hit The Road During the Pandemic -- Here's Why It All Fell Apart (Billboard)
"We were putting our finger in the proverbial dike, but every time we did another hole popped open," he said, praising the venues he'd worked with for all the precautions they were taking to keep patrons safe. "But I just don't think people are ready to come out and be around other people in situations of 100 or more at a show or a festival."
MUSIC x CORONA goes out every weekday (but not this week) and is composed by Bas Grasmayer and Maarten Walraven.
â¤ď¸Â musicxtechxfuture.com - musicxgreen.com - linkedin Bas - linkedin Maarten