Gigging Musicians and the Pandemic: Navigating Uncharted Waters

The music industry has always been a challenging path, with many artists relying on various sources of income to sustain themselves. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has presented unique challenges for musicians, especially those who rely on live performances for their livelihood. How have gigging musicians been making a living throughout the pandemic, and what strategies can they implement to stay afloat?

Day Jobs as the Foundation

For many gigging musicians, the pandemic's impact led to a reliance on day jobs. In big cities like Paris, London, and New York, underground musicians often try to earn a living by playing on streets. While these gigs were many, they were far from a stable source of income. Many musicians have had to adapt and find creative ways to keep the lights on.

According to a response from a musician, at least for those lucky enough to have a day job, this provided a financial buffer. Even for those who continued to offer private lessons, the decline in these activities meant that some musicians, like two or three mentioned, required government assistance to make ends meet.

Digital Platforms and Creative Ventures

With live performances restricted or canceled, musicians turned to digital platforms for income. Affiliate marketing with platforms like Amazon, live streaming on VR setups, or Twitch, and even creating web stores for merchandise have become crucial strategies.

For instance, a musician suggested using platforms like the Oculus Quest for VR streaming, which can attract more visitors due to novelty. Tapping into the live streaming market on platforms like Twitch and YouTube/Facebook can also expand one's audience, and the additional income from selling merchandise online through web stores is a significant revenue stream.

Freelancing and Balancing Income and Creativity

Another strategy for gigging musicians is to engage in freelance work. This can include a variety of roles such as graphic design, songwriting, web coding, 3D visualization, and content writing. By spending 4 hours as a freelancer and the rest of the time as a musician, one can find a balance between earning a living and maintaining creative output.

Platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, and others offer opportunities for freelancers to take on these types of jobs, providing a steady income stream that complements their music career. This dual career approach not only provides financial stability but also helps musicians to stay engaged and creative.

Engaging Fans on Social Media

Lastly, musicians can engage their fans through social media platforms. Free streaming of music, videos, and live recordings can create interest and drive traffic to web stores. Selling merchandise such as t-shirts, posters, stickers, patches, ashtrays, pens, keychains, and more can generate additional income. Limited-run holiday merchandise can also attract customers during special occasions.

Other strategies include doing live streams, playing multiplayer games with other musicians, offering online music lessons, or simply interacting with fans to keep them engaged and interested in their work.

While these strategies may not turn a musician into a millionaire, they can provide a better alternative to flipping burgers, ensuring that artists can continue pursuing their passion and making a living during these challenging times.