Clare Bowditch Calls For Support Of Local Touring Artists During National Press Club Speech

"Every good product has a story of how it’s helpful - let us be helpful in that way."

Clare Bowditch is calling for the Federal Government to give more support to local artists wanting to tour overseas through the COVID-19 vaccination roll-out, as well as using artists as an example to help with 'vaccine hesitancy'.

The much-loved artist spoke about the topic when sharing her speech, Music, Mean & Money, at today's National Press Club event, while expressing that supporting touring artists would also help support economic recovery for the country.

"In order for our industry - the music industry - to get its feet back again, we do need a select number of Australian, as I said, 'Olympians', those people in our industry who are right at the cusp, who are bringing that income... It’d be incredible to get a few of those members of our industry out there in safe territories playing their music again," said Bowditch during the question and answer portion of the appearance.

"They have to get vaccinated before they go, so use those stories, you know? Every good product has a story of how it’s helpful - let us be helpful in that way. That’s just one example of what we could possibly do. But I think it’s just - you know - my appeal is 'let’s get vaccinated'.

"If you’re scared about it, please go to your doctor and talk about your fears, you know? There are empty vaccination centres waiting there for people like you to get in and get it happening if you can. OK, so have the conversations. You know, there’s been a priority - and of course, there should be - for those who are most vulnerable, those who are getting vaccinated. But the talk now is that there are other chances for other people to get vaccinated - so ask. That’s my hope."

The conversation comes just weeks after leading artist managers have opened up on the topic in a special report from The Music.

“It now seems easier for them to fly to LA or New York and get a vaccine there than it is to get one here in Australia,” said Look Out Kid Co-owner & Director Nick O'Byrne, who manages acts like Middle Kids, Courtney Barnett and more.

“As an exercise, we tried to book one of our artists an appointment in the USA, just to see if we could do it. We were able to get an appointment really easily. We cancelled it, but we just wanted to see.

“If you’re in America with a visa, you can get vaccinated, and any artist that’s over there on an artist visa will fit that criteria.”

Masked Wolf's manager Jae Butt has also spoken about the topic saying that artists are missing out on major career opportunities because Australia's delayed roll-out.

“If Masked Wolf had the vaccine, he’d probably be overseas right now doing shows,” Masked Wolf’s manager Jae Butt of Lucky Ent said.

Speaking with The Music for a two-part special report on international artists trying to return to the US, Butt said it’s an “annoying” situation to be in.

“You’re missing out on opportunities, especially for Wolf, who is having a real moment right now where he’s got a track that’s one of the biggest in the world,” Butt said.

“It’s frustrating to not be able to go overseas, and you know, it’s not even a show thing, he could be overseas just doing promo, which is something he’s having to do from home in Sydney now instead.

“We’re hoping to have him overseas by August, but who knows, we need some concrete information on the vaccine.”

Check part one and part two of the special report at these links.