Covers is not a dirty word
25 Benefits to the Music Industry each time a Cover Artist performs
During the COVID lockdowns, I responded to an ad on LinkedIn seeking Industry people to mentor and guide musicians in a Post Pandemic Recovery Program. My application, complete with my business experience and biography was approved and I was scheduled a phone call with one of the Organisers.
We began chatting about the program and my experience in the industry until he stopped for a moment and said : “Oh no, your agency books cover acts. No we cant have that. Sorry.” And he abruptly hung up on me.
Even though at the time we were managing original Artists, running our own Record Label and had been touring Major Australian Artists across Australia for the past few decades, none of that mattered because we also booked cover acts on behalf of our venue partners.
I felt sorry for him. So limited by his industry experience, so indoctrinated by his fear of missing out, so small minded in his business approach, I was happy to have dodged that bullet.
But the whole conversation haunted me because even now, in 2024, there is still such prejustice about covers versus original music.
To us, responding to market demand and working in the coal face with promoters and audiences, both offer value and both are necessary.
So here is my Top 25 list of Music Industry benefits that Cover Musicians offer:
Promotion of Original Artists: Cover music shows can introduce audiences to songs they might not have discovered otherwise, driving interest in the original artists and their music.
Exposure for New Talent: Cover artists who perform well-known songs can gain exposure and build a fanbase, potentially leading to opportunities for their original music to be heard.
Cross-Promotion Opportunities: Cover music shows provide opportunities for cross-promotion between artists, venues, and event organizers, expanding reach and visibility within the industry.
Variety in Repertoire: Cover music shows allow artists to showcase their versatility by performing a diverse range of songs from different genres and eras.
Audience Engagement: Cover songs often resonate with audiences on an emotional level, leading to increased engagement and connection with the performers.
Revitalization of Classics: Cover music shows breathe new life into classic songs, introducing them to younger generations and preserving their cultural significance.
Enhanced Live Experiences: Cover songs can enhance the live music experience, creating a familiar and enjoyable atmosphere for audiences to sing along and participate.
Increased Ticket Sales: Cover music shows featuring popular songs can attract larger audiences, resulting in higher ticket sales for venues and event organizers.
Collaboration Opportunities: Cover music shows provide opportunities for artists to collaborate with each other, fostering creativity and innovation within the industry.
Community Building: Cover music shows bring together artists, fans, and music enthusiasts, fostering a sense of community and camaraderie within the industry.
Platform for Emerging Artists: Cover music shows can serve as a platform for emerging artists to gain valuable performance experience and exposure to industry professionals.
Cultural Exchange: Cover music shows featuring songs from different cultures and regions facilitate cultural exchange and appreciation among audiences.
Music Education: Cover music shows can educate audiences about the history and evolution of music by showcasing songs from different eras and styles.
Revenue Generation: Cover music shows can generate revenue for artists, venues, and event organizers through ticket sales, merchandise sales, and sponsorships.
Networking Opportunities: Cover music shows provide networking opportunities for artists to connect with industry professionals, potential collaborators, and fans.
Artistic Interpretation: Cover songs allow artists to put their own artistic spin on familiar material, showcasing their creativity and unique musical style.
Support for Songwriters: Cover music shows can raise awareness of songwriters and composers by highlighting their contributions to the music industry.
Promotion of Music Licensing: Cover music shows can promote the importance of music licensing and copyright protection for both original artists and cover performers.
Promotion of Music Streaming: Cover music shows can drive traffic to music streaming platforms, where audiences can discover and explore both original and cover versions of songs.
Music Discovery: Cover music shows serve as a platform for music discovery, allowing audiences to explore new artists and genres through familiar songs.
Celebration of Musical Heritage: Cover music shows celebrate the rich heritage of music by paying homage to influential artists and iconic songs from the past.
Creative Inspiration: Cover music shows can inspire artists to experiment with new sounds, arrangements, and interpretations, fueling creativity and innovation in the industry.
Emotional Connection: Cover songs can evoke strong emotions and memories in audiences, creating memorable and impactful experiences.
Support for Live Music Venues: Cover music shows provide opportunities for live music venues to attract audiences and generate revenue, supporting the sustainability of the venue ecosystem.
Contribution to Music Industry Growth: Overall, cover music shows contribute to the growth and vibrancy of the music industry by fostering creativity, community, and appreciation for music in all its forms.
As the industry recovers, rebuilds and re purposes its assets into new models that offer audiences what they TRULY want, there will always be space for both. Thank goodness!
Written by Nichola Burton. I work in partnership with Agents, Artist Managers and Event Producers, who juggle a diverse range of relationships in the Musoverse, to curate, manage and measure data in systems, experience, creative and content to support the entire Musoverse operation in my enterprise A Little Pitchy Copyright 2024