CHANGES
CLMA & Kinaxis Launch Concert Series to Help Venues & Artists
The Canadian Live Music Association , together with Ottawa-based supply chain software company Kinaxis Inc ., has unveiled details of Kinaxis InConcert , a new performance series that will feature approximately 30 concerts livestreamed from stages across Canada . The concert series will be funded via a $ 250,000 sponsorship from Kinaxis and facilitated through an application process available to all professional live music venues . Applications can be submitted through Feb . 28 , 2021 .
“ We are grateful to Kinaxis for setting an example of the kind of private sector support that Canada ’ s live music community desperately needs ,” says CLMA President and CEO Erin Benjamin , noting that venues are closing at an alarming rate , leaving countless Canadians who benefit culturally and financially from this sector in a precarious situation . “ Kinaxis InConcert is a reason to come together to celebrate our artists , support our venues , and connect to music fans . It is much needed good news for an industry that has suffered unprecedented economic hardship .”
While live businesses have attempted to carry on by producing streamed content , high production costs leave many without resources to access this potential revenue stream . Kinaxis InConcert will provide that support along with opportunities for artists across a diverse range of genres to connect with their audience and get paid for their work .
For more information , go to www . kinaxis . com / inconcert .
New Report : Canada ’ s Indie Music Industry Unlikely to Recover Until At Least 2023
A report commissioned by the Canadian Independent Music Association ( CIMA ) details just how much the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted Canada ’ s independent musicians . It shows that the evaporation of the live music scene has led to a $ 280-million decline in revenue in just six months and that the industry will likely not recover to pre-COVID levels until at least 2023 .
The report is entitled The Impact of COVID-19 on Canadian Independent Music and was conducted by Nordicity on behalf of CIMA . The key challenges it highlights include : a 79 % drop in live music income from 2019 ; independent sound recording and publishing companies have seen a 41 % decline in revenue ; and almost 2,000 full-time-equivalent jobs lost in six months ;
In its best-case scenario , the report says the industry revenue will not recover to pre-COVID levels until 2023-2024 , and that ’ s only with further emergency financial supports . It points out that with new musicians unable to promote their work in concerts , the commercial viability of their projects will suffer .
The report also notes the need for greater diversity , saying that anecdotal evidence suggests that many Black , Indigenous , and People of Colour have not seen the same funding support as the rest of their peers – both as artists and as music industry entrepreneurs .
Another issue is policy and regulatory uncertainty . Between the variable funding levels at the Canada Music Fund , the potential reforms to the Copyright Act , and the recently-introduced Broadcasting Act legislation ( Bill C-10 ), there is uncertainty surrounding how Canadian independent music companies will be supported as they recover from the pandemic .
For a conversation about the report ’ s findings and recommendations with outgoing CIMA President Stuart Johnston , listen to the Dec . 23 , 2020 episode of the Canadian Musician Podcast . For more information , go to www . cimamusic . ca .
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