Sound Advice: How You Can Help Artists & Venues Right Now

There is, unfortunately, no end in sight for the current state of live entertainment in the country. We are well and truly in the thick of it at this stage, and the industry is in desperate need of a roadmap out of where we are now. 

While the conversation on the Arts and entertainment setbacks continue, what’s not necessarily being highlighted is the fact that touring and live shows are the backbone of the modern music industry for artists. It will come as no surprise that streaming services account for far less of a musicians’ income than the pre-Internet days of physical purchases - with estimates saying major streaming services are averaging around half a cent US paid to artists per song (according to reports in 2020).

As a result, it is easy to feel that the current system is not set up in the artists' favour. 

So how can you help in a hands-on, direct way?

With artists and tours being continually forced to reschedule and postpone for well over a year, the standard income for performers is taking a battering. That’s why it’s so vital now, more than ever, to invest in your favourite musicians directly. 

Buy that merch

Check online for your local record store to see how you can still purchase with them, buy a band tee from the official website, and invest in music-based relief funds. If you want to help the bands directly, find out when streaming sites are diverting their fees and giving more directly to the artists themselves. 

Bandcamp is relaunching their Bandcamp Fridays campaign next month on 6 August, and will take place on the first Friday of each month for the rest of the year. During these times, all funds raised will go straight into the musicians pocket, and has so far raised nearly $70 million dollars around the globe. Bandcamp offers a platform for musicians to sell both music and merch, so get on it if you want a sweet tee from your fave local group. Do good and look good!

Donate away

Musicians’ perseverance is more prevalent than ever throughout these times, and the initiative they show to stay afloat is impressive and admirable. However, it’s a two way street - and the other side of this is showing that the general public want to actively partake in the support of their favourite performers.

According to an article from The Australian earlier this year, Aussie acts in droves are taking to direct-support platforms like Patreon and OnlyFans to subsidise their lost income. Artists like Ne Obliviscaris, Holiday Sidewinder and Hiatus Kaiyote are earning in the thousands per month thanks to their supporters on these sites. The monthly subscriptions offer fans access to media and news that they can’t get elsewhere, and get them at the forefront of content such as new music, tour updates, merch sales, anything the bands want to share.

While the musicians themselves are stepping up, it is unfortunately due to a grave necessity. In a piece for The Music published last week, local music legend Mick Thomas shared his concern, noting, “If we just rely on the bozos that are running the joint to give us the green light, we’re never going to get out there” and “If we don’t keep trying to do it then suddenly we’ll look around and there’s going to be no venues and no bands.”

It is because of this consistent lack of framework and financial support from the government that industry members have had to turn elsewhere for much needed aid. Charities such as Support Act and Listen Up Music have stepped up in a massive way during COVID times, and continue to light the darkened path for musicians who are doing it tough. Offering not only monetary support but mental health help as well, crisis relief is needed across the board, and these sorts of groups are godsends for many. Where possible, donating to the aforementioned charities and others like them will ensure your money is going to the right places.

And what of the venues?

The bars and stages across Australia are desolate as we speak, and if they are unable to see support during these times, they simply will not be able to open back up when the time is right. There are countless ways to continue lending a hand when you can’t get on the beers in person: check on your local to see if they’re offering takeaway food and drink. See if you can book in advance for when they are likely to open up again. Grab a voucher or some merch if they’ve got it on offer. What’s needed now for the venue owners is security from their punters, and what’s needed from the punters is faith in the industry and an understanding of the sheer lack of control they have in the situation.

“If you are in a position to do it, hold onto your tickets for as long as possible,” Village Sounds booking agent Katie Rynne told The Music last week.

“Keep buying tickets as far in advance as possible, don’t leave it until the last minute. Apart from the actual reschedules themselves and the amount of work and the logistics that go into it, the second part that’s affecting us is consumer confidence.”

The symbiotic relationship that artists and venues need to maintain is quickly losing oxygen, and without the backing of punters or a national support scheme, it will become irrevocably damaged. 

The future of the industry is in the hands of those who want to see it rise again, and by engaging in just a few of these factions that have come to fruition in current times, you can see your aid have a substantial impact to keep the lights on.