We’re completely reliant on merch sales and live shows. That’s how this career is set up. Without that, we wouldn’t be able to do this. But now there’s fear from a few different sides. For one, I’m scared of the actual virus, because of how contagious and quick-spreading it is. Two, I worry if I am being responsible for going through with these shows and having people gather together. That’s something that weighs on you.
Financially, an album release tour will carry you through the year. You’re using that tour to catapult the rest of your year and build the momentum. Routing our tour into SXSW, that’s by design. I had two really great bills I was on, an official showcase and the Yeti [outdoors-gear company] party. Now those are canceled and we have three days in Austin without a show. We’re trying to put together a house show to offset costs. I’ve never been presented with this situation.
For me, the worst-case scenario is I go do the whole album release tour and no one shows up because they’re scared. It’s a better scenario for me to postpone it all and take a hit now, but I just can’t make that decision yet. There’s too much at stake and too much at play, and too much money to be lost., and it’s great they did that, but unfortunately for independent artists such as myself, we can’t afford to make those calls at this point.
All I can hope is that fans understand that for a lot of their favorite artists, touring and selling merch is their means of survival. If you don’t have a record player, now is the time to get one and start buying up some records and buying up T-shirts, even if you don’t need them. I don’t want to be alarmist, but people are not going to be able to tour and pay the bills and they’ll lose the places they live.
I have no answers. Nobody does. The fear of the unknown is the driving force behind it all. Things are changing day to day, and I’m just trying to act in real time.
oh no
I have tickets to a half dozen shows over the next few months, I’m starting to doubt whether any of them happen.
Don’t forget about touring crew. We only get paid when they play.
Artists will find a way to get their art to the fans. It's the record labels and corporations who will be looking to use this as another excuse not to pay artists.
I’m out performing tonight but I’m keeping a very watchful eye. Take care everyone.
Yeah. Who is there to represent and lobby for them. Being someone who loves seeing a lot of live music, I know how tough it can be even in good times for these folks. The streaming services and corporate entities behind them should pony up some profits to help cover tour losses.
I’m waiting to see if a concert in May is going to happen with the Mavericks. Zack Brown just cancelled a concert in St. Louis. 😕
Not good
I was fearful of that myself
Yea this shit needs to stop! I mean I worry about the artist just as much as the crowd. But we need the hype and the virus to die the hell down!
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