Australia: Artists To Get Aid To Tour Abroad, Entertainment Bodies Want UK-Style Insurance

With touring Australia still limited, local acts are looking at the northern hemisphere to make income. Music export body Sounds Australia created the Sounds Australia Export Stimulus Program (SAES) to dispense A$1.2 million ($882,321) over the next 18 months to provide financial aid.

It will help acts, crews, artist management and live executives with costs for visas; international flights, freight and carnets; pre-tour rehearsals; artist manager finances; hotel quarantine; and insurance and other COVID increased premiums.

Executive producer Millie Millgate said, “We knew two months into the pandemic we needed to plan and be able to provide assistance in ways we never had before.” Usually operating with showcases and networking at major global events, Sounds Australia switched to virtual showcasing and online networking opportunities.

Millgate told Pollstar that she expected at least 80 applicants would benefit.

A high application rate is expected. In the latest numbers of the data-capture I Lost My Gig Australia from the Australian Festivals Association and the Australian Music Industry Network, 23,100 shows were cancelled from July 1, equating $84 million ($61.7 million) of lost income.

It also noted more than 35% of arts workers are looking forwork overseas.

At least five major acts are playing North America. Los Angeles based Rufus Du Sol do 16 dates August 11 to November 20. Tame Impala, Courtney Barnett, Masked Wolf and The Middle Kids arrive in September.

Entertainment bodies have called on government to introduce an insurance strategy similar to The Live Events Reinsurance Scheme, which is a partnership between the UK Government and Lloyd’s of London.

Live Performance Australia (LPA), Live Entertainment Industry Forum and the Australian Festival Association were joined by the Australian Record Industry Association and song rights groups APRA AMCOS and the PPCA to explain how the scheme could introduce certainty and investment.

“The UK example shows there is a solution that can be developed in conjunction with industry on commercial terms,”