Live performances hit sour note thanks to pandemic restrictions

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All they are saying is, “Give concerts a chance.”

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As provincial COVID-19 restrictions continue in Ontario, the live music industry feels it’s being unfairly punished.

The latest measures brought in by the Ford government won’t allow most concert venues to return to 100% capacity until at least March 14.

The result?

Artists, including Billie Eilish and Dua Lipa, have postponed dates scheduled for Scotiabank Arena in February.  Eilish hasn’t set a new date yet, while Lipa has rescheduled her show to July 27.

Kacey Musgraves and Elton John, who already rescheduled dates at the venue to late February and mid-March, respectively, may have to change them again.

Scotiabank Arena shows by John Mayer (Feb. 27), Journey (March 7), Tame Impala (March 9), Tyler The Creator (March 11), and Bad Bunny (March 14) hang in the balance.

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MLSE, which owns the arena, said in an emailed statement that “changes in regulations may result in the postponement of some shows. All ticket-holders will be contacted directly, and more information will follow.”

City and Colour cancelled shows at Massey Hall that were scheduled for Feb. 3, 5, 7 and 8. One Direction’s Louis Tomlinson solo club show at Rebel on Feb. 19 is also no longer happening.

And those dates are just the tip of the iceberg in terms of postponements or cancellations.

Starting Monday, concert venues can open to 50% capacity or 500 people, whichever is smaller. According to the province’s plan, they could be allowed on Feb. 21 to operate at 50% capacity with the 500 people requirement dropped. By March 14, they could be back at 100% capacity.

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Meanwhile, spaces like cinemas, casinos, and restaurants are being told by the province that they’re likely to go back to full houses by Feb. 21.

“I am hearing that there may be some changes coming in response to the outcry from the industry,” said Erin Benjamin, head of the Canadian Live Music Association.

“Our challenge is the policy, as it’s been laid out. There’s just been no explanation as to why businesses (like cinemas, casinos, restaurants), that facilitate gatherings, why the policy is being applied differently (to them). And that’s our No. 1 question. ‘Please help us understand why this is?’”

Just this week, Statistics Canada reported Canada’s performing arts sector’s operating revenues sank 31% to $1.8 billion in 2020 from $2.6 billion in 2018 when the figures were last available.

“This is a real contraction of economic activity,” said Benjamin.

“And that’s really problematic. It’s not like (shows are) just being postponed. In some cases, they’re being outright cancelled.”