As music fans in 2020, we watched our plans slip away. We watched our favourite artists shift to online concerts and intimate live streams and new ways to play for and connect with fans. We watched as venues closed their doors and bands looked for support so they could continue in their careers while their revenue opportunities temporarily vanished. And it all sucked.
Yes, there were some awesome pandemic releases and success stories that we've been glad to celebrate - but that's not enough. And as the calendar flips from 2020 to 2021, we have to look at the ways we can continue to support music.
The truth of the matter is that rolling into the new year is not going to change our immediate situation. We are not looking at concerts in January or meet and greets in February, and we may not get festival season as hoped in the summer. We are hopeful, but also realistic.
So, that means that we have to look for more of these alternative routes to help musicians pay their rent and groceries and for studio time and taxes and all the rest of their needs. Some ways are easy, some take more work and $$$. But if you're able to any of them, you'll be helping - and the more of them you can do, and the more you're able to spend (if you're able) the easier it's going to be to keep as much of the music world we love afloat long enough for us to enjoy the return of the music world we've been missing.
1. Streaming & Downloading
This is where it all starts, with the music. There are streaming sites all over the internet just waiting for you to listen to the artists and songs you love and to discover new ones as you go. And that's great. Pay for your subscription and play the hell out of your favourites.
But don't forget that a download is good too and worth a few bucks (remember how much CDs cost back in the day? It's nothing compared to that!).
And, when you see an opportunity to really benefit an artist like when Bandcamp rolls out a program like Bandcamp Fridays (waiving their revenue sharing) - jump on it and put some extra coins in the artist's coffers.
Look for ticketed live stream concerts too. It's the closest to putting asses in seats that we're going to get for a bit.
2. Buying Physical Copies
Of course, if you love a physical copy, you can and should still be looking for ways to pick those up too!
The vinyl resurgence continues, and many artists are offering pre-order packages that include LPs. Go ahead and get on that so you can have yours ASAP when your favourite act drops a new album.
Or (and this is important to the larger music world we love), call up your local record shop and see if they have, or can get, what you're looking for and ask about delivery or curbside pick-up, or other safe shopping options as we stumble through this fucking pandemic. We need these stores just like we need all of our local retailers in small towns and big cities and everywhere in between.
Tip: Sometimes labels (especially the smaller ones) will have deals or sales on their websites with backstock or other cool stuff. Check them out!
3. Buying Merch
Merch sales are super important to bands when they're on the road. There's a reason you always know where the table is. And now, those sales are even more important because they aren't going on top of your ticket sale - they're kinda replacing it.
We mentioned the vinyl before, and that's a good option. But band tees are still cool, and so are hoodies and hats and cheap sunglasses and socks (yes, I once bought a pair of Foo Fighters socks at a show in Ottawa). And, if you really want to lean into it - see what you can find in the mask department.
And, we can't forget, if you've got wall space or a kid or friend with wall space, posters are still cool too!
4. Supporting Venues and Festivals
Just like those record stores, our live music venues need our support too. We've already seen too many stories of doors closing because there's no money coming in. And that sucks because we are desperately going to need stages for the massive amount of desire there's going to be for live music when it's safe to get back out there the way we're dreaming of.
So, if you've got a local venue or two that has a kitchen open, keep them in mind when you're ordering out (and remember to skip the apps if you can so they get more $$$ from your sale). And if you're in the mood for a fancy drink, see if the bar is whipping anything up for pick-up or delivery.
And, just like artists, a lot of venues and festivals have merch and just like band tees, that's cool shit. Grab something that you can wear yourself or give as a gift and offer a little of that support and cash they need to survive.
We need these spaces and stages and the stories they give us.
5. Sharing News/Stories/Interviews/Premieres
If you see an article or interview or music video premiere or album review about a band or artist you enjoy - share that! Get the word out for them so that other people can see it and stream the new single or download the new album or order the record/t-shirt/sticker combo pack.
There's a lot that goes wrong on social media, but using your channels and networks and connections to spread the word about music and musicians is the good stuff, the timeline cleansers.
Help share the artist's stories, not just the music - and you'll help turn other people into the kind of dedicated fan you already are.
6. Donating to Artist and Venue Supporting Charities and Organizations
There are a lot of people, A LOT, who have been impacted in a very real and scary way by the loss of live music during the COVID-19 pandemic - and there are some great organizations that are trying to do their best to help.
Look for a local organization or ways that you can help in your community, and/or look at larger and more wide-reaching orgs like the three we've listed below to see if you can donate a buck or two and help out.
The Unison Benevolent Fund - https://unisonfund.ca/home/
NIVA / #SaveOurStages - https://www.saveourstages.com/
Live Nation: Crew Nation - https://www.livenationentertainment.com/crewnation/
7. Buy the Tickets and Show Up
We are all, all, all hoping for the safe and exciting return of live music and all that comes with it. We don't know when that's coming. We don't know what it's going to look like at first and how long it will take for things to look and feel like normal. But we know we need it - and we know we need to continue to give our support (all of us) so that we can have the things we love when it's time. And when it is time, we all need to get the tickets, show up, buy the merch, tell our friends, and enjoy the shows!
Here's hoping for a safe, healthy, happy, loud 2021. We all deserve it.
