FEATURE: Leap Year: Why 2021 Will Be a Challenging Time for Many Artists

FEATURE:

  

Leap Year

PHOTO CREDIT: @arstyy/Unsplash

Why 2021 Will Be a Challenging Time for Many Artists

___________

ON Thursday…

PHOTO CREDIT: @kdarmody/Unsplash

BBC Radio 6 Music had their State of Independents Day. It was a chance for independent labels, venues, shops and other corners of the industry to have a spotlight shone on them. It was very educational, as I discovered a lot of great new independent labels, and through the course of the day, there were reports regarding how venues are coping during this time, how labels have had to adapt, and what the future holds for many artists. This year has been a very tough one for so many people in the music industry, yet there has been so much great music released. At a time when most artists cannot perform live – or they are doing socially distanced gigs -, they are finding their income is being slashed and seriously affected. At the moment, we cannot tell what next year holds, and whether many gigs will go ahead. Depending on how COVID-19 plays out and what it in store regarding its spread, it might be the case that many of the tours and gigs already rescheduled will have to cancel again. It is a sad state of affairs, but a lot of artists have already booked up venues and spaces for next year. I was listening to reports through the day on BBC Radio 6 Music, and there was a segment – I cannot remember who it was – where someone was explaining how a lot of artists will not be able to tour or perform next year. Consider the fact that most venues already have a full calendar for next year already, and it means that so many artists who were hoping to gig and perform their new material at venues will have to look to 2022 instead.   

The situation is very similar when we consider independent labels and the bigger labels. They already have quite a few acts on their books, and there is no guarantee that they can take on anyone new. Considering that nobody knows what will happen to venues and whether there will be a lot of gigs next year, they cannot really commit to new artists and bring too many people on. It is quite scary for the labels, as they rely on artists putting out music and touring it. In a strange moment of history, it is almost like 2021 will be a dormant year for many artists. During lockdown, many artists have survived from doing streamed gigs, and they have managed to sell merchandise and make some money that way. On the good side, vinyl sales are booming, and many record stores have done a sterling trade over the past few months. I do hope that venues will be able to carry on, and I am especially hopeful that the grassroots venues can keep going, as they are a crucial part of an artist’s progression – where they can hone their sound and take their first steps. For many existing and new acts, they will have to find new ways to perform and new spaces to perform in, as the likelihood of venues having much free space is unlikely. There are some great labels that we can all support, and make sure that you check out your local venues, as many are struggling to stay open, and it will be a tough next few months for them.

PHOTO CREDIT: @claybanks/Unsplash

I guess healthy record sales is cause for celebration, but next year will be one of the most unusual for music. As I said, many gigs already booked might need to be pushed back, and it may not be realistic for tours and festivals to start until the middle of 2021. Because 2020 is going to be a write-off for so many acts, they are putting tours they would have completed this year back to next, and that is on top of gigs that were already planned for 2021 – meaning there has been this squash and overwhelming demand! Right now, there are some seriously great artists emerging, and they are not only keen to sign with a label and find a new home, but to get material recorded and perform at venues. There are some labels that will be signing new names, but many are unwilling to commit as we are not sure what will happen, and it is unlikely that a lot of venues will have too many spaces free for next year. Socially distanced gigs do not offer a secure and overly-reliable sense of compensation and prosperity, but they will be the only option for many artists next year. It does sound like a very bleak and scary future for many artists, and I hope that many will still be able to perform live in some manner. Outdoor gigs, whilst not ideal in colder weather, with restrictions on audience numbers might be a temporary solution, and I think we will continue to see streamed gigs continue if artists cannot perform at venues or organise tours next year. There are some labels still looking for acts, but vacancies are far scarcer than normal. If you are a consumer and music fan, then support independent venues and labels, and buy as music as possible. Next year will be a pretty tough one for many artists – as this year has been -, and I hope that they find a way around and will be okay. Everyone is so eager for venues to open and touring to resume properly, so let’s hope that things get back to normal…

PHOTO CREDIT: @hanness/Unsplash

AS soon as possible.

Sam Liddicott