[imagesource: YouTube / Aidin Caye]

Yesterday was World Music Day.

With South Africa still under lockdown restrictions (and the threat of stricter measures increasing by the day), it’s worth taking a moment to think about the plight of our local artists, who make the bulk of their income through live performances.

Those are off the table, and it’s not just the musicians themselves who suffer.

According to Texx and the City, the live entertainment sector is responsible for more than 800 000 jobs, and brings in more than R63 billion in annual revenue.

That amounts to around 1,5% of South Africa’s total GDP.

Timed to coincide with World Music Day, The State of the Arts was released yesterday, offering “a snapshot of the struggles faced by some of South Africa’s entertainment and live-performing artists during the COVID-19 pandemic and the still-ongoing lockdown restrictions.”

Featuring the likes of Majozi, GoodLuck, and Dean Fuel, it’s a reminder of how even though some aspects of our lives have returned to a degree of normality, others have most certainly not.

The State of the Arts is directed by Adrien Conradie, who is also known as DJ and producer Aidin Caye:

453 days of lockdown, and still a long way to go.

As GoodLuck pointed out, in a heartfelt open letter last month, there are a few things you can do to help:

If you aren’t in a position to single handedly rescue an entire industry (which most of us aren’t), then just be conscious.

If you have a friend who works in the live events or music industry, phone them to check how they are doing.

When an artist announces a streaming concert, BUY A TICKET and when you aren’t watching their show just put their music on spotify on repeat (life-hack, you can turn the volume down).

And when events do eventually happen again, do NOT ask to be put on the ‘guestlist’ – that is going to become a swear word.

Don’t be that person.

The State of the Arts doccie also points to two initiatives, for those who would like to support some of the most vulnerable in the industry – The South African Fund for Entertainment and Cash for Creatives.

At the very least, load up Spotify, and let it roll.

[source:texxandthecity]