APRA AMCOS (Australia and New Zealand) has announced that it will pay $1.5M in live performance royalties to members for gigs, concerts and festival appearances that were cancelled due to the impact of the latest wave of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The initiative will provide direct financial support to music creators who lost royalties from performances that were scheduled to take place in Australia and NZ from October 1, 2021 to February 28, 2022. 

“When a gig is cancelled, many are affected financially, professionally and personally” says APRA chair, Jenny Morris. “But there is an intangible cost as well when our artists are unable to bring communities together, connect with their fans and when they miss out on the career development that literally can only happen on stage.”

We acknowledge the targeted support from the New Zealand government for venues and music businesses that had planned concerts and festivals but often direct support for those that write the music falls through the cracks.

“APRA AMCOS is putting royalties into the pockets of our members for the performances they intended to play. They planned, prepared and practised and through no fault of their own, once again they lost work and income,” says APRA AMCOS chief executive Dean Ormston.

“We call on government leaders to provide direct support to the artists, sole traders and small to medium businesses through a wage subsidy program, crisis support, micro-business grants and a national insurance scheme.”

Members can submit claims for cancelled performances via the website. The cutoff to submit is February 28. 

APRA NZ were planning to hold the postponed 2021 Silver Scroll Awards | Kaitito Kaiaka on March 3rd, however the rapid spread of the omicron Covid-19 variant has meant a cancellation of the organisation’s own annual live celebrations.

‘Given the current health advice and modelling, and the risks involved in pushing forward with events in these circumstances, even though it’s heart-breaking to confront, it seems clear that we won’t be able to proceed with an in-person show on March 3rd – not just in terms of health and safety concerns, but with mana, respect, and value for everyone involved.

This means unfortunately our 2021 awards show is cancelled, and we’re looking at alternative digital/online ways we can honour and celebrate our amazing 2021 finalists and winners during March instead.’