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With us now venturing into another season with the virus still present as ever, it seems that it has all gone quiet on the music front.

With the live music industry testing out some initial capacity-friendly outside gigs and the Germans testing on willing crowd volunteers, it certainly doesn’t look like there is a fast-track option to see live music performances at our favourite venues, before 2021.

Of course, with the majority of the work being handled behind the prying hands of the media, what on Earth’s happening with it all?

Adapt, Overcome!

An effective vaccine will be the ultimate solution, but you can be assured that innovation is key to getting through this mass change we’ve uncovered upon our music industry.

From online performances, music videos, socially-safe outside gigs to performing interactive concerts in virtual reality, we have certainly made an effort to adapt.

Online Streaming Soares As Ever …

With the majority of the UK population confined in their homes, there is certainly no confusion as to why streaming has soared to reaching a billion dollars in revenue throughout 2020 in the US.

As ever, Spotify becomes a dominance that we need to certainly keep an eye on as they start to venture further into a one-stop shop for all things music.

Merchandise, live music tickets.

It could be readily available on the global streaming site within the next year.

Support Grows for Grassroot …

With campaigns such as WE MAKE EVENTS, The Red Alert Movement, Let the Music Play, Passport: Back to our Roots under the impactful roster of Music Venues Trust, we have raised over the original target of £1 million to £1.5 million with the most recent campaign Passport: Back to our Roots raising £75,000 in 14 days by planning the likes of Pet Shop Boys and Elbow performing at small independent venues.

And it’s only going to get bigger. As calls for action amplify as days fade into months, funds will increase as musicians and fans alike, coincide with the Government to support the live music industry.

Royalties at Risk …

With musicians not being able to generate the majority of their income through local gigs and tours, attention has turned to royalties and looking further, many big corporations have been scrutinised for the way they run things.

Twitch being one of them.

And it’s not just royalties. Streaming itself has been pushed under the microscope by leading music licensing company in the UK, PRS For Music.

In an effort to fix streaming in terms of how Spotify distributes its shares, Broken Record Campaign – another one of those – has been raised to sort out how musicians – from the exclusively popular to the locals – have been improperly compensated for their work via streaming monthly listens.

So, what’s next … ?

With musicians signing more support campaigns and anti-racism letters rather than singing more, there has never been a time for 2021 to come as quickly as possible.

Looks like we’ll keep doing what we have to do to provide funds, time and creativity while the stage lights are off for the time being.

While campaigns seem to come and go in the news, it is best that we never forget what is available out there for us to help, and believe it or not, even though peaceful protests are not present in the streets at the moment – the thousands of employees and workers in the live music industry are still out of work.