FEATURE:
Reasons to Be Cheerful – Part II
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How 2020 has Highlighted the Importance and Necessity of the Music Industry
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MANY will argue that this year…
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has been one of the worst ever, and there is no reason to be cheerful or have any optimism! For many who have lost their jobs and suffered because of the pandemic, that is very true. It has been a tough one, but I think there is a greater appreciation of the value of arts and the music world. There has never been any doubt that the music industry is vastly important, but I think there has been this new wave of love. Lockdown restarts again today, so record shops are going to be closed once more. That said, vinyl sales in this country have surged despite the pandemic, and it seems that, when record shops required support more than ever, people have responded! Not only does this mean that many have survived and continue to trade, but I think a lot more people have discovered both the importance and pleasure of vinyl and the true value and vitalness of record store. On that tip, record shops themselves have flourished. The recent Record Store Day Drop 3 led to crowds queuing to get some great releases and, looking ahead to next year, I think that appetite will continue. That is not to say that C.D.s will decline, but there is this additional surge in vinyl sales that creates a very promising outlook for record shops around the country (and the world). Venues have had a tougher time of things, as most have not been able to operate and many have closed down.
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Much-needed money has been designated to venues across England already, and I think, so long as the virus can be contained and reduce by spring, most can reopen their doors in some capacity and welcome people in. It is hugely necessary for venues to exist, as they are the beating heart of communities and, looking on social media, the amount of passion and support that venues have received is enormous! As we have all been affected and hit by the pandemic, I think this sense of darkness has brought people together when it comes to live music and the phenomenal venues all around the country. The Government, finally, have opened their eyes to the importance venues have to the economy. Given the tremendous amount the U.K. music scene continues to the economy, it is only right that the Government assisted and, as the future is unsure, let’s hope there is additional funding if venues have to remain closed for too much longer! On a very simple level, the deprivation we feel regarding live music has highlighted its positive effects. Damon Albarn has come out and underlined how we need live music back, and I think 2021 will be a year when live music becomes more important than ever. I am not sure when live music can truly come back, but venues will be busier than ever; the number of people attending gigs will be higher than ever and, after such a rough year, we will see so many new acts, faces and masses descend upon venues and celebrate – even if it is not until the middle of the year.
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A recent report shows that representation of women, and Black, Asian and minority artists has increased:
“The proportion of people from BAME communities working in the industry has risen from 15.6% in 2016 to 22.3% this year.
Female representation has gone up from 45.3% in 2016 to 49.6% in 2020.
Among those earning more than £100,000 per year, only 27% were women and 12.2% were from a BAME background.
These figures rose to 59.4% and 33.6% respectively for those earning less than £15,000.
Women made up 60% of those doing unpaid work while the figure for those from a BAME background stands at 40%”.
If this year has shown us anything, it is that there is still massive division around the world it comes to race. Movements such as Black Lives Matter have helped provoke and spread conversation and awareness and, in the music industry, the figures above are promising. Whilst there is not the level of representation and opportunity we would like, I do feel like the statistics will improve further next year. I think, when festivals return, they will be more gender-balanced, and we will see more Black, Asian and minority artists on the bill. I think so many eyes have been opened this year, and I think 2021 will be a year when we see real progress and change in the music industry.
I have mentioned the relevance of music venues at this hard time, but since artists have not been able to get out and perform to the people, that has led to some new innovations and alternatives. Virtual gigs have been quite common and worked as a temporary stand-in. Whether an artist is performing via YouTube or the production values are a little bigger, we have seen how virtual gigs can work. That will not replace live gigs but, as there are still concerns regarding the environmental impact of worldwide touring and the effect it can have on mental-health, I think virtual gigs, mixed with live gigs, might be a way of helping in that area. So many people have seen live music in a different way this year. Personally, I have watched more live music this year and last and, whilst not ideal, virtual gigs are very accessible and varied. I think there has been incredible engagement between artists and fans this year. One artist who has brought a lot of delight is Sophie Ellis Bextor. Her Kitchen Discos have been a real highlight, and so many people have been helped and made happier watching her! In any other year, she might not have felt the need to do this and, when things start to get back to normal, I hope she still does some occasional kitchen gigs! Artists and entire festivals have streamed live this year, and, as many people cannot attend gigs or do not have access, the success and growth of online gigs could be an alternative for them.
Also, some big artists like Laura Marling, Phoebe Bridgers, Arlo Parks, Glass Animals, and Billie Eilish have opened doors. I think live/pay-per-view gigs could stand alongside regular gigs and, whilst the nature of live music might change in 2021, I do think what artists have done in 2020 has expanded the realms of live music and what can be achieved. There are concerns that a no-deal Brexit might severely effect live music, but let’s hope that there can be a solution. I am going to produce a feature regarding my favourite albums of 2020 very soon but, compared to the last couple of years, I think the quality of music being put out has increased. Maybe not directly linked to the pandemic, but the very best albums of this year have outranked albums of the past few years – from Haim, Fiona Apple, Run the Jewels, and Rina Sawayama, the music we have heard this year has been unbelievable. So many great new acts have emerged and, even though the music industry is in a precarious place, I think there is a lot of reason to be optimistic regarding the new eave of artists; so many brilliant albums have made 2020 so much better. Other great revelations, such as Tim Burgess’ listening parties have brought so many people together. This has been running since long before this year, but I think its role and importance this year has increased and managed to bring some terrific artists and fans together.
Have you discovered a band or an album at the @LlSTENlNG_PARTY, that’s now a favourite of yours?? What records have you bought after hearing them for the first time at #TimsTwitterListeningParty? pic.twitter.com/upeHh8soZ9
— Tim's Listening Party (@LlSTENlNG_PARTY) October 3, 2020
Though there are some bleak projections regarding revenue and the profitability of music this year, there have been some great breakthroughs and moments that I wanted to highlighted. Looking online, and I have seen so many people connecting randomly when they might not have otherwise – people supporting those in need. A lot of artists have been keeping in touch with fans and building that relationship. In a year when they might otherwise have been promoting albums and busy touring, there has been this new bond and experience where I have seen so many artists spending more time communicating with their fans. Radio has been a comfort for many of us and, in the U.S. and the U.K., radio has made us feel more informed, together and less alone. For me and many people, music stations have been crucial, and I think one positive aspect of 2020 is how radio’s power and importance has also been brought to the fore. I think more people have been listening to the radio and music’s connective power is very obvious in 2020. Podcasts have been popular for years, but so many new podcasts have come out this year and the growth in the industry is wonderful. I think so many podcasts have been created based on the frustrations and limitations of 2020, and that has brought so much to so many people! Before the end of the year, there are some cracking albums due, and I think there are things we can be thankful and look forward to.
Whilst COVID-19 is not going anywhere for a while, many artists are putting gigs in the diary, which makes people optimistic and hopeful as we can plan ahead. Similarly, venues are thinking about 2021 and, off of the support they have been given this year, let’s hope that they can host as many gigs and events as possible. I think it is important to find some light in a year that, for all of us, has not given much in the way of cheer. The music industry has been hit hard and not been able to provide much live music. I think the virtual gigs and way artists have found a way to connect with their fans has been amazing, and there have been other stories and aspects to provide positivity. Many people will have their own brighter experiences of music in 2020, and lots of people are looking ahead to 2021 and a more hopefully, bright year. At the heart of everything is the way music is so necessary and fulfilling to all of it. From its economic role to the benefits of live music, there is no doubt why the music industry requires committed support and financing at a hard time. I hope many venue doors will open next year, and we will all get a chance to see live music. Despite the washout of 2020 and some bad moments, I (and many people) have seen some positives. Whilst they do not outbalance and overwrite the negatives, I think 2020 has given us a few…
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REASONS to be cheerful.