NI music industry on verge of collapse asks for government assistance

A campaign has been started by the #WeMakeEventsNI team to raise awareness about what they see as the inevitable demise of the touring, festival and theatrical events industries.

The team is made up of sound engineers, lighting designers, tour caterers, truck drivers, tour managers, riggers, backline techs, video directors and festival promoters.

As well as the usual live events these workers are also fundamental to corporate business events, live comedy shows, awards ceremonies and prominent cultural celebrations.

They say that before the coronavirus pandemic brought about a lockdown, in Northern Ireland alone, music tourists would spend around £90m per year, with concert and festival audience numbers reaching almost 300,000 per annum.

Their records show that 58% of live music businesses staff have been furloughed, with 87% of that figure needing an essential extension.

It is understood that 45% of affected companies are expecting to make further redundancies after the end of the government furlough period, unless it is extended.

Meanwhile, some of the freelance staff that make up a huge portion of this workforce have received zero governmental aid.

The group predicts much of the industry here will not survive into 2021.

The #WeMakeEventsNI team has been sharing stories from artists and workers, who have not been allowed to work since March and have no set date for events to return, in order to show the devastating impact the current situation is having.

The campaign has been backed by local artists, including comedian Colin Geddis and Snow Patrol’s Gary Lightbody.

Snow Patrol frontman and Bangor native, Gary Lightbody, said: “There are so many vital roles in this eco system – the tech crews, roadies, transport companies, riggers, promoters and many more that cannot be forgotten. With no start date for their livelihoods, these jobs are all under threat.

“This is a community that comes together, not only to create live events and soundtracks for the general public to enjoy enormously, but in this - a very real time of need for the industry we all love.”

The #WeMakeEventsNI campaign is building towards a global day of action on Wednesday, September 30, which will see the Northern Ireland events industry join a worldwide call for support.