10/08/2021
With heavy hearts The East Coast Originals have decided to further postpone our event series in both Scarborough and Peregian until 2022. This decision has not been made lightly.
With the threat of ongoing lockdowns, capacity restrictions and harsh regulations that are enforced on the events we do not feel that we can adequately invest the voluntary time and effort required at this time. We are music industry professionals, volunteering our time and effort to put on these event series. Right now our industry is in crisis and we are forced to invest our time and energy into saving our businesses and livelihood in order to literally feed our children.
Our hearts are breaking. We are so disheartened by the ongoing situation and lack of financial aid or any kind of support from the government for the music industry. We had intended to reopen Originals in Peregian Originals in September and Scarborough Originals in October but with the threat of covid ever looming and potentially shutting down the events after time and funds have been invested into it. With no secure financial support from relevant councils, limited business sponsorship (and we do not expect that businesses can afford to financially fund these events right now) and a wiped out and unsupported industry by the Queensland Government we simply cannot see how we can facilitate these events at this time.
Yes lockdown has ended, but unfortunately for the music industry strict regulations such as seating and no dancing, capacity restrictions, lack of funding support are continuing for the music industry. Venues and events are dying and the ongoing effect of this is huge. Artists without work, sound techs, stage hands, band managers, promoters, film, photography etc etc are all victims of the on - flow effect of this. Without better government support, without an easing of restrictions and without better local funding options we are at a loss.
We would like nothing more than to have you all in the parks dancing our covid worries away but at this time we cannot see how it is viable. We are sorry to the artists who were lined up for this years event series and we will be sure to see you on our line ups in 2022.
If you are wondering what you can do to help the Originals right now? Or to help the music industry? Below are some suggestions and ways that you can help save the live music industry locally.
Originals:
- Volunteer your time, services or skills to the Originals team to help carry the workload of facilitation (in need of event set up / pack down, event volunteer crew, council liaisons, sponsorship liaisons, marketing, equipment hire etc)
- If you are in a financial position to do so and are a business that can gain potential marketing opportunities from being involved with ECO please reach out
The Music Industry needs your help:
- Go to your local venues, buy tickets, drink and eat and spend as much as you can seeing live music in your area
- Get involved in various movements protesting the government on capacity restrictions and live music support - Independent Entertainment Industry Association is one group in SE QLD starting to lobby federal and state government for improved trading conditions for music venues
- Call your local MP and demand them to improve music industry conditions in regards to capacity restrictions of 1 per 4 square meters indoors / 1 per 2 square meters outdoors (This is what is killing music industry - it is impossible to break even) and financial support for music industry events and businesses. Current funding is not enough.
Again, we are frustrated, disheartened, saddened and hope that we can come back with a vengeance soon.
♡ To all of our regular event attending legends, supporters, sponsors, and of course our incredibly valued volunteers, thank you for everything over the years, we really cannot wait to dance in the park again by the sea. ♡
Please be kind to one another, respect one another and stay safe in this new crazy world. ☮️
☆☆ 𝐖𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐋𝐎𝐕𝐄 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐟𝐚𝐯𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐞 𝐦𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 & 𝐭𝐚𝐠 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐨𝐨 ☆☆
Images courtesy of the Jay's archives c.1999, Rellish & Kim Grimley c.2014 - 2020
