Annihilation of the Corporate Music Sector - stuff you don’t know
Artist Bookings
Represent over 250 musical acts across a range of genres including Jazz, Indigenous and Classical music. Our market is primarily corporate events, private events (weddings, birthdays), clubs and small festivals.
Our artists make their living by playing the gigs I book them; gigs they source on their own; teaching and hospitality work. My artists hold degrees in Music, some have masters and doctorate degrees. Many of my musicians have been learning their craft for 15 plus years.
The average income for independent operators such as Artist Bookings and professional musicians– those that play in our orchestras and our jazz clubs, is between $25K - $60K a year.
Pre covid ARTIST BOOKINGS supplied musicians on a regular basis to 70 plus clients. These included some big name Not for Profits, several Blue Chip Corporations, a number of local governments, several festivals and lots of weddings, clubs and pubs. Some of our clients were weekly employers, others booked musicians on an ad hoc basis.
As a business we spent a significant amount of time cultivating relationships with potential bookers including local governments, aged care facilities, hospitals, corporate giants - anyone was and is fair game when it comes to creating work opportunities for our artists.
In early March we were moments away from signing a contract to supply 30 plus musicians and technical support for a six week street activation for a Business trader association. Plus we had received strong interest from several local governments for the production of Small Opera in the Park events – something fun and classy for summer.
Mid march and 100% of all my gigs cancelled. By April every artist on my books was reporting the same - all their work had gone. We rallied together to create live streamed concerts only to have government regulations remove our right to broadcast from our studios.
Every attempt to create an avenue for cultural expression has been hindered not only by the virus but also by the government regulations blocking our avenues.
Our artists are the cornerstone of Melbourne's musical life, they are arbiters of its cultural expression. They satisfy the late night Jazz market, the Sunday session groups, the award ceremonies and formal functions that make up our quality of life.
The decimation of the corporate music industry is one of many casualties of the Pandemic - but what road map is being developed for its resurgence?
Government support by way of job keeper has kept Artist Bookings able to tread water but for my artists- many have struggled to gain access to benefits.
As an industry we think the climb back into a sustainable business will take a minimum of two to three years but for many of my artists they will no longer be able to make a living from the performance work they can source. We are all pretty sceptical about our future.
The general consensus among my artists is that in order to make a living post covid they will have to retrain BUT again Government support isn't available for people who hold degrees or above. If you want to apply for a Cert IV in many of the new government funded training opportunities you have to pay the full tuition – why because you hold a Degree, you hold a qualification that is higher than the free courses on offer.
Whilst small businesses around the state can apply for $5K - $10K survival grants, my small arts business isn't eligible because eligibility is based around work cover certification, something many small businesses don't need or dont qualify for. Money seems to flow to the big players in the industry but for small and independent operators such as myself and my artists our support is virtually non-existent.
Live music is a hallmark of a civilised society and musicians are regularly called upon to donate their services free of charge for everything from bush fire appeals to pubs asking artists to perform for beer and burgers.
Many of my artists live stream performances to lift the spirits of the community during lock down but should we expect that. Is it fair to expect artists to just perform for free, to volunteered their time and skills to perform for charity? No, its not and should not be an expectation.
What is the roadmap out of Covid for independent musicians and small music operators?????
I have no doubt that we will be left to struggle out of the darkness alone, ignored until the next bushfire decimation or flood ravaged community needs a lift. If you want to help - make sure your workplace has a budget line for live music and entertainment. Ask your shopping centre, your local government, your community organisations, the clubs you belong too, the groups you support, the resturants your frequent to all have budget lines for live performance. We need your help.