TikiTiki Bowling Bar was one of the many Sai Kung music venues hard hit by the lockdowns Photo: Catherine Lumsden
Most readers of BUZZ have been involved with the local Sai Kung music scene, either as performers or as audience. We have also been told many sad stories of how difficult life has been for musicians during the various stages of Covid lockdown. Now the Musicians Foundation has released survey data that shows the true extent of how they have suffered over the past two years.
Musicians Foundation research shows the Government’s shutdown of live entertainment for over 18 months has left one-third of Hong Kong music industry personnel in debt.
More than 560 days of being unable to work because of restrictions on live performances has left one-third of Hong Kong music industry personnel in debt and over half suffering from anxiety and depression, according to a survey from the Musicians Foundation.
The registered charity, which was set up to provide relief for those in the music industry who have suffered setbacks or health issues, also revealed that around one-third of music industry workers have left Hong Kong or want to leave due to ongoing Covid restrictions affecting their careers.
The charity says that, over the past two years, the enforced closure of music venues and restrictions on live performances has added up to over 560 days, during which musicians and industry support personnel, such as sound and lighting technicians, stage managers, instrument rental providers and venue staff, were unable to earn a living.
Prior to the pandemic, the music industry in Hong Kong had already experienced severe disruption due to the social unrest in late 2019, which led to many events being cancelled or postponed. Therefore, many people had already been forced to tap into their savings to survive before the pandemic began. For many, Covid-19 was the final straw.
Founder of Musicians Foundation and leading local alternative music promoter Chris B said: “We are raising awareness of just how severely the ongoing Covid-19 social distancing requirements have impacted the lives of people in our local music industry. Numerous jobs and careers have been disproportionately affected by Covid-19.”
“Despite the Hong Kong Government rolling out various support schemes, including Temporary Unemployment Relief (TUR), only a select few have received support. Missing out on previous support schemes has caused people to lose faith and give up.”
She added: “Music industry people contribute hugely to Hong Kong’s status as a world-class center of arts and culture. If we lose more key creative people as these restrictions continue, a very valuable part of Hong Kong’s arts sector will disappear, making it even harder to reboot the economy and reignite the cultural buzz that gives Hong Kong its special character.”
“We’re asking the Hong Kong Government to consider more carefully the detrimental impact of these social distancing measures on the arts and culture sector and the Hong Kongers whose livelihoods depend on it. There are no objective criteria to justify singling out live performances for restrictions when other activities are being allowed. Safeguards already exist to provide sufficient protection and reassurance for both the performers and the audience: relevant venues are already subject to capacity limitations and are using the LeaveHomeSafe app to confirm everyone is fully vaccinated. The requirement, that performers must either wear masks or take daily Rapid Antigen Tests, could apply in the same way as implemented at Government venues such as theatres.”
About the survey
The Musicians Foundation survey was conducted over ten days in the month of June 2022 and 465 people responded:
- 92% are Hong Kong permanent residents.
- 63% of people are under the age of 45.
- 53% were full-time in the music industry (before 2020).
- 66% worked for more than 10 years in the music industry (before 2020).
- 3% of people are currently being evicted and 2% have become homeless.
- 11% of people have left Hong Kong due to the Covid restrictions and another 24% want to leave.
- 34% of people have incurred debt with 10% owing more than HK$100,000.
- 15% of people developed health issues in the last 12 months.
- 56% of people have suffered anxiety and depression in the last 12 months.
- 11% of people have had suicidal thoughts in the last 12 months.
The data laid out graphically is available here (https://www.musicians-foundation.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/2022_Survey_MusiciansFoundation_HK.pdf).
About Musicians Foundation
Musicians Foundation Limited 音樂人基金會有限公司is a charitable institution of a public character exempt from tax under s.88 of the IRO.
Musicians Foundation was set up by a group of music industry leaders to relieve poverty and financial hardship and enable Hong Kong musicians to continue their careers in Hong Kong in the face of the unprecedented global pandemic.
Musicians Foundation aims to help provide paid work opportunities wherever possible, by hosting live music events and pursuing funding possibilities through corporate donations, sponsorship and philanthropy. It also aims to organize charitable activities that promote the physical and mental health of the public for the benefit of the Hong Kong community.
More information: https://www.musicians-foundation.com
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