Empty Seats at Concert Venues Because of Coronavirus, Support Our Artists
by Kim Cyr-Goodyear
Some music fans have the impression that all musicians are rock stars living out lavish lives. As you know, this is simply not the case for the overwhelming majority of artists who rely on regular gigs just to make ends meet.
Artists need your support. There’s no shame in asking for help. Let them know that you understand this time is a potential crisis for them and their financial well-being. Leverage the online tools you have to communicate their music and show your support now more than ever.
Send a dedicated email blast with specific actions that you the fans can take to help musicians in need. You can also take to social media to share the same information, and ask your friends to share your posts and help spread the word.
Here are some of the best ways for fans to support musicians during the COVID-19 pandemic.
1. Buy Music, Share and Download, Share Music with Your Friends
If you have music for sale, whether it’s digital downloads or CDs, let your fans know where they can purchase it. Even if they prefer to stream music, they might still buy your music to support you.
You should also let them know that while streams and playlists are great, streaming revenue is measured in fractions of pennies and it takes a lot of time to accumulate to anything meaningful. Directly purchasing your music means much more money in your pocket — when you need it most.
The coronavirus pandemic, which has shut down all live music and touring for the foreseeable future, has dried up the primary source of income for the vast majority of working musicians. For countless touring artists who rely on constant touring income to stay afloat, the next few months will be dire.
These musicians really need your help. The main concern for artists who have new releases out now or soon to release, they have had to cancel the accompanying two-month spring tour, making bands impossible to make a living or simply pay rent this month. This is where you the fans come in.
2. Buy Merch
Ask how you can help. Ask if the band has any band merch in stock? Remember fans, buying a T-shirt, poster, hat, or guitar pick would also really help out. Spread the word to your friends and all your social media connections.
3. Pre-order Albums or New Releases
Bands might be planning to release new music sometime this year. Now that there are so many live concert venues cancelling shows, artists might be forced to launch a pre-order campaign. Artists might now tell you why they need to launch a pre-order so let's help them out and purchase your copies and spread, spread the word.
4. Subscribe to Their Online Fanclubs
An online fan club — where people pay a monthly fee in exchange for exclusive rewards and access to the artist music — this is a great way to support your favourite bands on an ongoing basis. You can sign up to their fan subscriptions directly through the artists or bands website.
5. Make a Donation
We would normally see musicians setting up a pre-order or crowdfunding campaign to give fans more options and context for giving, but under these circumstances, artists might add a donation button on their homepage. You can really help support them by making a donation and pass the word on your social media outlets. We can't forget all the great concerts and live events that these musicians play to make the music we love.
6. Live Stream Concerts or Lessons
Between tours getting cancelled and local venues closing until further notice, many musicians are turning to live streaming shows from their homes and rehearsal spaces. It could be as simple as using Facebook Live or Instagram Live, then asking fans to make donations through your website, Venmo, or PayPal.
StageIt is a great choice if they are looking to sell tickets and accept tips during their performances. (They also recently announced that they’re upping artist payouts to 80%.)
Consider looking into Twitch as well if you’re interested in seeing live streaming shows, rehearsals, songwriting sessions, Q&As, and more. Those live streams can be monetized through tips/donations, subscriptions, and even sponsorships.
7. Hold Onto Your Postpone Concert Tickets
One small but crucial way to help out a touring artist is to hold on to your ticket to their rescheduled show, even if you can no longer make it. Just reuse your ticket or give it to a friend.” If an artist has already announced dates for later in the year, buy your tickets now. Otherwise, be prepared to go out more than usual and see tons of live music once things return to normal. “The best thing fans can do for us is to stay healthy,” says Texas singer-songwriter James McMurtry, who makes the vast majority of his income on the road. “Be there if this thing ever blows over, and then come back out and see us.”
8. Buy Virtual Tickets In The Upcoming Weeks
Within days, musicians across the country have come up with creative ways to monetize their art in the absence of live music. Artists are live streaming concerts performed from their own living room. Artists like lead singer Chris Martin from the band 'Coldplay' posting an up close and personal live music concert for his fans supporting #Togetherathome campaign, like Country superstar, and 'Keith Urban' performing right from his own basement. Others have come up with even more creative ideas, like North Carolina singer-songwriter Benji Hughes, who announced this week that he’ll be writing customized songs for fans for a very modest fee. UK pop star L Devine announced an “URL tour” that will find her playing on a different medium such as Twitter, TikTok and Facebook each night. People are trapped in their houses right now and desperately needing to feel relief. What a perfect time to be putting out music that might offer some sort of respite.” Now, more than ever, when an artist is releasing any sort of music-based content in the coming weeks: pay for it, says Kim Cyr-Goodyear, Editor in Chief for NOW and THEN Magazine.
''Chris Martin Lead Singer for the Band Coldplay''
Keith Urban Playing for the Fans From His Own Basement #Togetherathome
Bonus: Other Ways to Support
Countless industries and livelihoods are being affected right now, and the reality is that not all of your fans will have the capacity to support you financially during this pandemic.
Feel free to suggest small gestures like these that are still helpful, even just for boosting morale and showing solidarity with artists:
- Play and share your music with their friends
- Make a playlist of your music and share it with their friends
- Add your music to their existing playlists
- Play and share your videos with their friends
- Like/follow/subscribe to all of your online profiles
Send an encouraging note to them and their other favourite artists
Final thoughts
Hopefully, all industries will be able to get back to some semblance of normalcy soon. We want nothing more than to see musicians back to packing venues to perform live for their fans. But in the meantime, we hope that all musicians stay safe, healthy, and are able to weather this storm with the help of friends, family, and their fans.
Kimberly, editor and chief for NOW and THEN Magazine ~ musicians are losing jobs left, right and centre stage. You can help your favourites by visiting their pages, buying CD's or merch and donating when they play live on FB.
Here are just a few:
Black Mountain Whiskey Rebellion
And so many more.....
If you don't see your favourite artist or band, please tag them as we want everyone to help our musicians who write and play the music that changes lives!