đ· Forecasts for the recorded music industry are getting worse; BTS' touring alternative; Global Radio confirms downsizing is needed; NIVA fighting to save live music; NZ continues live music revival
Daily update for the music business on the coronavirus (July 7)
âWeâd have lost hundreds of music venues by now if it werenât for the British public,â say MVT after government bailout (NME)
âBeyond that, we need to figure out the process of getting this money out there to the venues in all regions so weâll be working with them to do that. The devil is in the details, but this does look very, very promising. This needs to be applauded and celebrated. Itâs in line with, if not better than, a lot of the things weâve seen happening across Europe.â
Mark Davyd, MVT CEO
BTSâs touring alternative may be just what the music industry needs to survive the Coronavirus pandemic (Forbes)
In fact, it still remains to be seen if BTSâs success can be replicated, but for now, there is reason to be hopeful that the live industry isnât completely dead and that some money can still be made, even if itâs nowhere near what top-tier touring acts would bring in if they would travel the world with a massive stage show.
Global Radio confirms downsizing is now required to deal with ongoing COVID challenges (CMU)
The entire commercial radio sector has faced a challenging few months since the COVID-19 shutdown began, even though â somewhat ironically â listening stats went up as everyone went into lockdown. But ad sales slumped, as brands put their marketing campaigns on hold and many more local advertisers paused their operations entirely.
What kind of year will it be for the record business? The forecasts are getting worse, not Better (Rolling Stone)
But Sonyâs update also offers more doom-laden news about the companyâs experience of pandemic lockdown thus far. âTicket, merchandising and video revenues are decreasing, as concerts and other events are being postponed and cancelled in Japan and other areas,â it noted. âDue to a global reduction in advertising spending, revenue from advertising-supported streaming services and revenue from the licensing of music in TV commercials is decreasing. Additionally, delays in the production of motion pictures and TV shows are causing a decline in music licensing revenue.â
How the national independent venue association is fighting to save live music (Variety)
Now a coalition of 2,000 independent venues in all 50 states and Washington, D.C., NIVA formed at the onset of the pandemic with the goal of gaining financial relief for venues and therefore preventing as many permanent closures as possible. Spearheaded by the top executives at some of the countryâs major independent venues, NIVA became a 501 C (6) trade organization and hired top lobbying firm Akin Gump to make their voices heard on Capitol Hill. Through this process, one thing has become painfully clear: keeping independent venues alive requires the governmentâs help.
'I'm like a plant without water': why metal bands are suffering during coronavirus (The Guardian)
All this without the catharsis and social connection of playing live. âItâs like a moment to just completely give yourself away to something, and forget where you are,â says [Fed Ash] vocalist, Allie French. âYou donât get to do that anywhere else. Itâs a way of exorcising all the bullshit. A physical, emotional, spiritual release.â
As a Sufi singer, I believe the sounds of world religions can cultivate compassion during COVID-19 (The Conversation)
In this context, paying more attention to and preserving sonic markers of diverse faith groups is necessary so that people are exposed to intercultural sounds from their homes.
For those with anxiety, the return of live music poses even more of a challenge (The Forty-Five)
For people that have worked hard on treating their anxiety disorders, particularly with CBT and exposure therapy, time in lockdown not having to face their fears will make it even harder to go back. Tilly, 30, used to go to gigs every month. During difficult times she avoids social events generally, but has had her OCD under control for a while. At her last gig before lockdown she felt herself becoming incredibly aware of everyone around her and felt nervous in such a small space: âI think now I would feel quite uncomfortable about going knowing (the little) we do know about the virus, and being in close proximity with everyone else,â she adds.
Covid 19 coronavirus: NZ's first big music concert post-lockdown - L.A.B in Auckland (New Zealand Herald)
Mikee Tucker, promoter and director of Loop, which promotes L.A.B, told the Herald it was the first arena music show worldwide for many many weeks. "In addition to breathing air back into the lungs of the live entertainment industry it was awesome to see 6000 happy, smiling faces," he said.
Thoughts
Promotors, venues, and concert organizers are adapting to the current environment filled with regulations. The BBC Proms is aiming to go ahead, but will wait to announce how and with whom specifically until as late as possible to âallow for utmost flexibility in responding to the safety guidelines at the timeâ. Meanwhile, thereâs so-called âCovid-19 safeâ venues opening up including, for example, a raised stage and drinks delivered to âyourâ area. As mentioned in Fridayâs newsletter, examples of this can be found in Manchester, UK and Newcastle, UK. Sponsorship plays a big part in both venues and in the case of the Newcastle venue audience members will have to use the sponsorâs app to order their drinks. In the US weâve also seen successful socially distanced concerts, the latest of which helpfully included a tiered exit system to prevent a socially-distanced concert ending with everyone wanting to leave at once. Itâs not a future for live music, but will be a much needed way for money to start flowing into the system again.
Thereâs not a lot of live sports happening right now, which means that sports TV channels also have to get creative with their programming slots. In the US this lead ESPN to broadcast a music concert at primetime over the 4th of July weekend: The Eagles at the Forum in 2018. Tells us a lot about ESPNâs assumptions on their target audience: classic rock lovers = American Football lovers.
Music
Composed while listening to the HAUS of ALTR compilation HOA010. They claim the roots of techno while showcasing its future. Favourite track: Loraine James - Now.
MUSIC x CORONA goes out every weekday and is composed by Bas Grasmayer and Maarten Walraven.
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