As a part of the ABC’s Australia Talks project, Double J spoke to Australian musicians and behind-the-scenes music industry workers about the impact of COVID-19 on their gig economy livelihoods.

Artists like Hatchie, Amyl and the Sniffers, Violent Soho, Charlie Collins and more have shared their stories on what life looks like for them, what they’ve lost, and how much.

While industry workers, like booking agents, artist managers, and production companies, weigh in on whether enough is being done to support them.

Artist Tracy McNeil says “It’s changed our lives immeasurably.I [had] just signed to a label, just got that backing and support, and it was like all systems go. I finally stepped off the platform, letting go of the day job and the safety net. And then: boom. It’s gone.”

While the pandemic has disrupted every part of life, it has hit particularly hard for people whose income, not to mention mental wellbeing and sense of self, is tied directly to live music, an activity all but extinguished during most of 2020 and with every new lockdown. 

The financial losses are significant and the mental health impacts are ongoing.

Subscribe to the radioinfo podcast on these platforms: Acast, Apple iTunes Podcasts, Podtail, Spotify, Google Podcasts, TuneIn, or wherever you get your podcasts.