Music Canada Live, Canada’s national live music industry association, launched Here, The Beat: The Economic Impact of Live Music in BC. This historic, first-ever assessment of BC’s live music sector was unveiled at the Creative BC offices in Vancouver to a packed room of industry and media, featuring speakers and talented BC artist Gillian Thomson. Powerful, key highlights of the study include:
- The live music sector contributed 6,950 FTEs, $619.3 million in labour income and $815.8 million in GDP to the BC economy in 2017.
- A vibrant live music industry provides the conditions that the broader music industry requires to thrive. It is increasingly becoming the financial lifeblood for the wider music sector.
- BC festivals attracted over 7.4 million attendees in 2017, and 78% are predicting increases in attendance in the future.
Here, The Beat identifies a number of challenges and opportunities facing the live music industry in BC, and offers valuable insight to strengthen and grow what has become the most important source of both artist revenue and audience development.
“This study confirms what we have always known… that BC’s live music industry matters. It matters economically. It matters culturally. It matters socially – and it matters to our incredible artists and to their thousands upon thousands of fans. Live music builds community, enhances our quality of life. The research demonstrates that we have room to grow as well as the will to collaborate, and as much as it reflects ourselves back to us, it is also an open invitation to government, tourism and others to work together to continue to forge one of the most dynamic and thrilling live music scenes in the world – for the benefit of all. The future is beginning now” said Erin Benjamin, Executive Director of Music Canada Live, “the opportunities for growth, innovation, integration and development are truly limitless.”
Music Canada Live Board member and study partner Nick Blasko, Director, Amelia Aritists and Atomique Productions, noted that “The release of this study is another important milestone towards quantifying and understanding the value of live music in BC.”
“BC is a province of festivals and live music events, creating jobs and economic impact for business BC,” adds Alex Grigg, Executive Director of Music BC. “Live music performances are vital and growing in importance for the livelihood of artists, engagement of fans, and attraction of tourist dollars.”
Here, The Beat is the culmination of months of research lead by Nordicity, a leading Canadian consulting firm specializing in policy, strategy, and economic analysis. The study was made possible with thanks to Creative BC and Music BC, and in partnership with the City of Vancouver, This is Blueprint, Atomique Productions, BRANDLIVE, Live Nation and Music Canada.
Read the full report here.
