Singer Mary Coughlan has said power cuts and the cost-of-living crisis threatens to cancel her concerts.
The legendary star fears that many of her scheduled shows will be cancelled because of slow ticket sales due to the cost-of-living crisis and concerns about possible power blackouts.
Mary said: “The cost of food, heating and fuel means that people are scared to spend money on going out. Some of my shows have been cancelled already here and in the UK.
“Promoters are telling me it’s because of slow ticket sales. During previous dips in the economy people went to live gigs to get a lift, but this is very different,” she added.
The Music and Entertainment Association of Ireland (MEAI), who represents hundreds of musicians, performers and stage crew, have launched a pre-Budget Submission calling for more government support for the industry.The group said the threat of blackouts in the winter ahead have many in the industry wondering how it will impact gigs and live shows and the possibility of many pubs and venues being forced to close in order to save money and conserve energy will have a devastating knock-on effect on the music and entertainment sector.
Matt McGranaghan, MEAI Spokesman, warned: “We have recommended two schemes which will subsidise live gigs in local areas and communities. If we don’t support local musicians and entertainers then we risk losing more workers which will have a negative impact on the social scene and tourism also.”
MEAI’s top two requests in its pre-Budget Submission are for schemes worth €25m to subsidise live gigs and for the implementation of a reduced VAT rate for musicians and entertainers.
In a recent survey conducted by MEAI, just over half of respondents reported that they have less than 75% of their work compared to pre-Covid and nearly 90% said they face uncertainty and a lack of protection in their current employment.
“Our sector lost almost 40% of workers as a result of Covid. We were closed for 680 days and just as the sector was getting up and running we find ourselves in the middle of the cost-of-living crisis. The sector simply hasn’t had a chance to recover in the way everyone had hoped,” said Mr McGranaghan.
MEAI believes it is vital that Minister Catherine Martin continues to provide funding for the independent sector to help it navigate through this current crisis. €50m was provided for the sector for 2022 but so far there is an underspend of between €5m-€9m.
The Arts sector, it says, is also being deprived of approximately €3m per month as the delay in the rollout of the Basic Income for Arts continues.
Mr McGranaghan said: “So far the sector has been deprived of about €17/18m as a result of delays. Add the underspend of up to €9m and serious questions need to be asked as to why a sector is fearful for its future while almost €30m in funding is lying idle in the Department. That money needs to be rolled out immediately to help maintain livelihoods over the coming months.”
MEAI is also looking for a 9% VAT rate for the industry which they say will offset rising business costs, especially fuel, which are putting enormous pressure on gigging musicians and bands.
The pre-Budget Submission lists eight requests in total, including a pilot scheme for Disabled Artists which would give them more freedom to earn a living from their music and art, and a Hardship Fund for professional musicians and entertainers worth €5m.
Matt McGranaghan added: “This sector is unregulated which means that when someone falls on hard times then there is often very little protection or security offered. A hardship fund would offer some peace of mind at least until proper regulation can be input in place.”
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