As panic over the coronavirus sweeps the globe, much of the focus is on the broader economic effects on businesses or venues that have had to cancel events. But the coronavirus’ toll on working musicians is immediate and debilitating. When people speak of the gig economy, they often think of Uber drivers or Instacart shoppers. But for freelance musicians, their patchwork of gigs pays the bills. And in the face of shuttered venues and a self-quarantining public, that patchwork is falling apart.
The median income for musicians in the U.S. was around $20,000 in 2016, according to Alan Krueger’s Rockonomics, which examined the economics of the music industry. Live performances, Krueger wrote, are the most common source of a musician’s income.
Many venues have been canceling performances out of an abundance of caution. Some have been forced to do so, because their city or state has banned gatherings of more than 10 people. The new ban on travel from Europe has also had an impact. “We're all hurting,” said a drum technician in St. Paul, Minn. “This is systemic, from backline techs to merchandise people to drivers to stagehands and everything in between.”
Some Temporary Help Available
Several artist organizations are offering emergency grants to artists who have lost work. A new website, COVID-19 Freelance Artist Resources, points artists to possible sources of temporar
