$1.5 million in live performance royalties distributed for shows canceled by COVID
Royalty checks for live performances will continue to roll in, even for musicians whose shows were dropped due to the Omicron variant.
Today (February 7), APRA AMCOS announced that it will be paying out $1.5 million in royalties to members for canceled concerts that were scheduled to take place in Australia and New Zealand from October 1, 2021 to February 28, 2022.
The initiative is an extension of payments made in 2020, when APRA AMCOS advanced its performance report payments from May to November.
“Just as it looked like things were starting to open up and live music was ready to kick off a successful summer season, the latest wave of COVID-19 has canceled live events again, leading to financial losses. substantial and emotional strain for our members and the industry at large. said APRA President Jenny Morris in a statement announcing the royalties.
APRA’s Board of Directors approved the initiative “so that prompt action can be taken to support our members and pay them the royalties they would have earned from live performances of their songs”.
The Omicron wave was a kick in the gut for a music community eager and ready to get back on stage.
With health departments at all levels ‘systematically failing to consult with the music industry‘ when setting public health orders that determine whether the show can go on, says PRO, it’s the artists and organizers who are often left to make the call, usually late in the game.
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“APRA AMCOS puts royalties in the pockets of our members for the performances they intended to perform. They planned, prepared and practiced and through no fault of their own, once again they lost work and revenue,” comments Dean Ormston, CEO of APRA AMCOS.
“We urgently call on government leaders to provide direct support to artists, sole traders and small and medium-sized businesses through a wage subsidy scheme, continued crisis support through the support law, subsidies for micro-enterprises and a national insurance scheme.”
Ormston recently said OTI that during the month of December, typically a peak time for live music activity, business was only 6% of the pre-COVID period, based on association data.
As emergency funds for major events have been announced in recent weeks and months by the governments of Victoria and New South Wales, APRA AMCOS reiterates its call on government at all levels to provide broader support for a range of businesses.
The deadline for APRA AMCOS members to submit royalties is February 28, 2022, with payments to be distributed in March.
For members who performed live during the period, APRA notes, the live performance royalty will be expedited for payment in March.
Visit apraamcos.com.au to find out more.