How to help those who make music happen during COVID-19
The music industry is made up of a community and at the root of that is the relationship between the music lover and the music. Many facets of the music industry have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. During this time people with livelihoods in the music industry will experience varying degrees of difficulty. It is important that lovers of music help the makers of music as they are able.
Live Stream Performances.
Apps like YouTube, Twitch, Instagram, and Facebook provide great live streaming services for artists to perform and audiences to enjoy.
For the Lover: If you find yourself enjoying an artist live steam, consider donating some money directly to them. Think of it in the same way you would support them at a live show.
For the Maker: If you are an artist who had shows canceled by COVID-19, consider live streaming a performance from your house or safe space. This serves to help fight boredom because you love performing, and it can be used as awareness for your craft and a way to receive donations from people who love what you do. You can live stream on websites such as YouTube and Twitch and set up a donation button that leads directly to your PayPal account. You could also live stream on apps like Facebook or Instagram and indicate that you are accepting donations to your Venmo, PayPal, or Patreon account. It may be helpful to have that account information in the description on your social media account page.
Listen to Music and Purchase Merchandise.
Artists and music goers are currently unable to buy merch at their favorite shows, but often artists have merch available online and many, like Devin Townsend, and Miki Fiki have limited edition merch available.
For the Lover and the Maker: With people doing their part by social distancing and new traveling and gathering restrictions coming in daily, people have a lot of time to listen to music. Take some time to listen to a local artist while you are at home working or enjoying hobbies like cooking or painting. (Click here for artists I’ve worked with and love.)
For the Lover: If you find an artist you particularly enjoy listening to, you can buy CDs, vinyl, cassettes, and other merchandise like T-shirts and stickers. Get these items through the most direct channel possible such as from the artists website or Bandcamp page if they do not have a personal site.
Support Local Venues.
Shows and tour cancelations not only affect the artists and performers but the venues as well. Independent music venues will face a greater challenge earlier on.
For the Lover and the Maker: Consider reaching out to your favorite venues to see if there is a channel you can use to donate directly to them. Local Nashville venues such as The 5 Spot and Drkmttr Collective currently have ways to donate to them directly that you can find the link for below. (If there are others you know of, please leave them in the comments below and I will update the list)
Help the Community of Music Industry Professionals.
One way to help music industry professionals, as well as get help if you have a career in music, is through the The Recording Academy COVID-19 Relief Fund.
About the fund: This Relief fund is created to help artists, production crews, audio engineers, and technicians effected by COVID-19, by cancelled tours or canceled recording sessions for example. This Relief fund is administered through MusiCares and collectively with The Recording Academy have donated $2 million. As of today streaming companies like Amazon Music, YouTube Music, SiriusXM, Pandora, Spotify, and TIDAL have announced they are contributing to the MusiCares COVID-19 Relief Fund as well.
For the Lover: Click here to donate to the COVID-19 Relief Fund.
For the Maker: Click here to apply for the COVID-19 Relief Funds.
If you are a member of the American Guild of Musical Artist can also find recourses and information on how to receive support through the AGMA Relief Fund.
Spread the Word.
As you hear about and see ways that those in the industry can find support during this unprecedented time, share them with those you know. You never know who may be able to help, and who may just enjoy hearing new music with all the free time they may have.