While many sectors of the economy have been badly affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, the live music sector has been the most severely impacted by the restrictions associated with the pandemic. This is according to the findings of the latest study, titled ‘Impact Analysis: Live Music and its Venues and the South African economy during COVID-19’ commissioned by the South African Cultural Observatory (SACO).
In August 2020, SACO commissioned research to conduct an impact analysis on Live Music and its Venues to understand how the sector has been affected by the measures imposed to control the spread of the coronavirus. The study followed an industry wide research conducted by SACO earlier in the year which assessed the impact of Covid-19 in the cultural and creative industries in general.
The SA Cultural Observatory Executive Director, Ms Unathi Lutshaba said, “it is important we understand how the various sectors of the industry have been affected and continue to be affected by the pandemic as this empowers us to provide better insights to both policy makers and the industry”.
The report notes that “it was important to undertake this study, considering that local and international studies have underlined the situation of live music as a sector particularly hard-hit by pandemic measures and vulnerable during what may be a tough, uncertain and protracted recovery period”. The study also sought to explore the contributions live music can make to broader societal and economic resilience and recovery and rebuilding international linkages; the proactive measures live music can take in protecting the health of all involved; and the role of policy, legislation and regulation in all these
The venues of performance serve as hubs for production, circulation, distribution and delivery and that they are both integral to the music sub-segment, and can illuminate the reach of impacts through their inter-linkages and additional implied horizontal connections (with the eventing industry, the hospitality and tourism industries, the liquor industry and more).
The study shows a picture of a highly interconnected value chain, where venues and other music delivery mechanisms serve as hubs for music practitioners; the loss of one venue impacts on the work and revenue opportunities of multiple other industry professionals. Multiple revenue interdependencies emerge, with 47% of artists, promoters, freelancers and venues highly dependent on confirmed local engagements, but also revenue from food, bar and ticket sales, door takings and other sources.
A few findings of the study are highlighted below:
Yet despite these issues, South Africa’s live music practitioners expressed a high degree of – albeit conditional – hope about the future of the industry. With appropriate and relevant support in place, just under half declared themselves optimistic about their future in the industry.
The report makes several recommendations including: development a national ‘music desk’ that is better-equipped to work with the entire industry value-chain through inter-departmental co-operation; making available, and designating more, officially-controlled spaces – including outdoor spaces – for live music and live streaming activities, including upgrading township community halls and centres; reducing licensing costs and administrative complexities around the use of public and government-controlled spaces for safe performance and recording activities; and closing the national digital divide by facilitating Wi-Fi access for all South African communities; all host both music-makers and potential audiences.
“It is our hope that this report will contribute in some small way towards the industry and stakeholders from other industries who wish to participate assisting in the recovery”, added Lutshaba.
The full report can be downloaded using the attached link: https://www.southafricanculturalobservatory.org.za/download/691
Issued by: Marketing and Communications Manager
Mboneni Mulaudzi
Contact: 0828892971/0415044935
Email: mbonenim@mandela.ac.za
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