our industry: the covid-19 journey.

Remember the pandemic? Well the music industry certainly does.

An industry that relies on active consumer turnover to keep it alive, the pandemic was a crushing blow to our sector of sustaining live music and support our artists. From all ends of the creative industry, it was a harrowing reminder that artists alone can’t do it themselves. The reliance on our live industry is overwhelming to our culture, our economy and above all else, our opportunity to connect. Where connection was sparse during lockdown periods, the lack of Government support caused many industry workers and employees to take to the streets for peaceful protests and even marking their spot outside Parliament as culture bills were passed around the chambers. Two note-worthy action campaigns were #wemakeevents – where technicians, drivers, security, managers and supports took to the streets – and the red alert project – where our most iconic venues dolled up in bright red signifying the urgency of supporting such venues from permanent closure.

Delve into the horrendous journey that our artists, venues and workers took for two years with the full timeline discussed below. From March 2020 to end of Spring of 2021 when we began to see lockdown liftings, relieve the moment that brought our industry to its knees in one of the biggest collapses we have ever seen in years.

we make events project – no more gigs without us

red alert project – support our venues

Our naivety brought about hope for a summer of live music last year. But that wasn’t to be the case. Now, charting into early 2022, how did we manage to get through two years of rife inactivity within our industry?