COVID-19 is wreaking havoc on the world right now. In order to flatten the curve and reduce the risk of the virus, many public institutions and companies are shutting their doors, forcing people to work from home if possible or if not possible, putting them out of work completely. The gig industry is especially taking a big hit and the financial situation for many performers, including musicians is looking pretty dire.
It’s already hard for most musicians to make money these days. Streaming payouts are slim, album sales are down, and algorithms heavily favour those at the top, which are typically those with the support of a major label. For many independent musicians, the choice is either work day jobs and/or tour frequently in order to stay afloat.
With so many venues having to shut down because public gatherings are being advised against by governing bodies, the one most consistent and largest source of income, touring, is no longer feasible. So what can be done when a global pandemic further puts a damper on a system that is already broken?
Obviously many things need to be done to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and the music industry needs to create a more level playing field in the streaming economy that appropriately compensates music creators. In the meantime, we as music fans can help out in a few ways
- If you purchased tickets for a show that got cancelled or postponed, consider not seeking a refund
I understand this might be a contentious ask for you to financially invest into something you are denied the experience of. However, holding on to your ticket is a smart move in the event that the show is rescheduled once it is once again safe for venues to host them and musicians to travel to them.
And if even you aren’t able to get your money back, and it goes in the hands of your favourite artist who may not have anything to do right now except hunker down in their home studio and make music, you are enabling the creation of new music that you will get to enjoy in the future.
2. Consider buying an album or other merchandise
We used to do this all the time, buying CDs, records, and cassettes. Now is a great time to build your collection of physical releases or start one. Build from a local record store, label website, or the musician’s Bandcamp profile, not from an industry-killer like Amazon.
Also consider a shirt, pin, or the other products your favourite musicians have available. Some labels and artists might even add in a little extra treat with your order too. I purchased shirts twice from Ghostramp, a record label ran by Nathan Williams of Wavves, and was pleasantly surprised by a pin, Wavves baseball card, and Spirit Club 7-inch thrown in at no additional cost.
3. If your favourite artists have a paid membership fan club, Patreon, or other means of gaining financial support for their music creation, consider supporting them through those avenues.
More and more artists are taking to avenues like Patreon to seek direct financial support from fans in exchange for exclusive content. Memberships are often available in tiers, with those paying more receiving more goodies in exchange. Zola Jesus has used her Patreon to share her writing, unreleased music, free concert tickets, and discounts on her merchandise.
Others use the fan club feature on Bandcamp. George Clanton, for example, hosts members-only livestreams, giveaways, shares demos and alternate versions of songs, and even remixes user-submitted songs. These clubs and Patreons can be a really cool way to interact with your favourite musicians on a more personal level and get a closer look at the process that goes into their work.
Obviously you must consider your own financial status before spending money on your favourite musicians, but it can feel really satisfying to know you’re supporting the those who create the art you love in a sustainable way. For a lesser-known musician with a smaller safety net, a few extra dollars can really make a difference.