Survey Finds Strong Support For Live Music Recovery Plan

By FYI Staff

Throughout the pandemic, Music Canada has been tracking views, perceptions, and intended behaviours of Canadians towards music generally and live music specifically.

At the end of 2020, the trade org commissioned Abacus Data to conduct a third, national survey exploring public perceptions about the impact of the pandemic on live music in Canada.

Amongst the survey findings: All Canadians believe that music festivals, pubs and bars, and live music have been negatively impacted by the pandemic. And clear majorities believe the negative impact has been severe – 78% think music festivals have been very negatively impacted, 70% feel the same about live music, and 68% feel the same about the impact on pubs and bars.

Other key findings about perceptions held by musicians and fans:

1. 85% of Canadians believe that the pandemic will have a negative impact on Canadian arts and culture.
2. Canadians recognize that music festivals and live music have been negatively impacted by the pandemic. Most think they will need government support to recover.
3. Half of Canadians who have a favourite live music venue feel it is very or somewhat likely that it will shut down because of the pandemic.
4. If venues and festivals close or are cancelled permanently, many believe that thousands of jobs will be lost, future Canadian musicians will lose their chance to succeed, and less Canadian music will be created.
5. The good news is that if venues and festivals can get through the pandemic, millions plan to return to live music events as soon as they can.

Survey Finds Strong Support For Live Music Recovery Plan

Throughout the pandemic, Music Canada has been tracking views, perceptions, and intended behaviours of Canadians towards music generally and live music specifically.

At the end of 2020, they commissioned Abacus Data to conduct a third, national survey exploring public perceptions about the impact of the pandemic on live music in Canada.

Amongst the survey findings: All Canadians believe that music festivals, pubs and bars, and live music have been negatively impacted by the pandemic. And clear majorities believe the negative impact has been severe – 78% think music festivals have been very negatively impacted, 70% feel the same about live music, and 68% feel the same about the impact on pubs and bars.

Other key findings about perceptions held by musicians and fans:

1. 85% of Canadians believe that the pandemic will have a negative impact on Canadian arts and culture.
2. Canadians recognize that music festivals and live music have been negatively impacted by the pandemic. Most think they will need government support to recover.
3. Half of Canadians who have a favourite live music venue feel it is very or somewhat likely that it will shut down because of the pandemic.
4. If venues and festivals close or are cancelled permanently, many believe that thousands of jobs will be lost, future Canadian musicians will lose their chance to succeed, and less Canadian music will be created.
5. The good news is that if venues and festivals can get through the pandemic, millions plan to return to live music events as soon as they can.

And here are several Abacus data graphics illustrating the findings.

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The complete Abacus report can be viewed online here.