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FYI

Music BC's Ambitious Programs For 2018

Two new studies plan to convince governments that the music scene produces a big economic benefit to the province, and the music org also has plans to create synergies with other Pacific coastline music hubs in the US.

Music BC's Ambitious Programs For 2018

By FYI Staff

The turnout for Music BC’s AGM on Jan. 16 was strong and the meeting included discussions on future funding, two new economic impact studies, and plans to develop ties with music hubs in the US.


First off, Music Canada Live, FACTOR, Creative BC, the provincial government and the City are co-funding a Nordicity study detailing the economic impact of BC’s live music sector, and a parallel Vancouver Music City initiative, co-funded by Music Canada Live and conducted by Sound Diplomacy, aims to develop a strategy to help maintain a healthy music economy in the Pacific Rim city.

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As with other cities, escalating commercial rents increasingly threaten the profitability of live music venues.

Discussions also centred on an ambitious plan to develop commercial ties with music hubs in the Pacific Northwest that includes San Francisco, Portland and Seattle.

According to a 2009 study, conducted by Music Canada using PWC, the estimated total economic output, GDP, and employment generated from spending in BC in 2009 was $47.5M, $26.9M and 570 jobs respectively. Wages and salaries amounted to $21.5M and government revenues generated from economic activity were approximately $5.2M.

Ash Kelly at CBC News has the details.

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Lewis Capaldi Donates 734,000 Hours of Free Therapy to Those in Need: ‘This Is My Way of Giving Back’
Leon Neal/Getty Images

Lewis Capaldi performs on the Pyramid stage during day three of Glastonbury festival 2025 at Worthy Farm, Pilton on June 27, 2025 in Glastonbury, England.

Pop

Lewis Capaldi Donates 734,000 Hours of Free Therapy to Those in Need: ‘This Is My Way of Giving Back’

The amount is in reference to the 734 days the "Survive" singer took to focus on his mental health following a difficult 2023 Glastonbury Festival set.

Lewis Capaldi is giving back to his fans in a big way. On Monday (July 7) the “Someone You Loved” singer announced an initiative with the online therapy company BetterHelp to provide 734,000 hours of free virtual therapy to those in need.

“Therapy is the reason why I am able to be a musician again,” the singer says in a video announcing his effort. “In partnership with BetterHealth and to reflect my experience of therapy and the importance I feel it has in my life and other people’s lives, we’re giving away 734,000 free hours of therapy.” The number represents 1,000 hours for every day since Capaldi was last on stage.

This story was first published on Billboard U.S.

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