Comedians Colin Gaddis and Shane Todd are the latest names in the Northern Ireland living industry to add their voice to the #WeMakeEventsNI campaign.
The two comedians, known for their hilarious stage performances, advocate for public awareness and government support for behind-the-scenes workers in the events industry.
Due to Covid-19 restrictions on live events, participants in the #WeMakeEventsNI campaign said 7,500 jobs in Northern Ireland are at risk.
These include jobs as sound engineers, lighting designers, tour suppliers, truck drivers, tour managers, forgers, technicians, video directors, festival promoters, and more.
Dozens of direct laborers have already made impassioned demands for government action. Now two of Northern Ireland’s most famous comedians have added their voices to the team.
Colin Gaddis says, “When you see my performance in a concert, I feel like I’m the only one on stage. But in the background, there’s an army of people doing it.”
“There are resellers, suppliers, camera operators, video and systems technicians, sound and lighting engineers, cashiers and many more.”
Since the conclusion, thousands of concerts have been held in Northern Ireland. Without a proper return date on the cards and without government support, many of these insiders will be out of work in the near future and could get lost. Generally from the industry.
WeMakeEventsNI is requesting an extension and support for the thousands of freelancers remaining.
Shane Todd stated in his video: ‘The Northern Ireland events industry needs our support. When the show was discontinued in March, all the work done by the people who created the shows we love was done too.
“A lot of these people — who work in the areas of sound, lighting, catering, event management and everything in between — are self-employed and depend on these events for a living.
“Without turning events, #WeMakeEventsNI is calling on the government to support workers in this sector. If we don’t protect the sector now, there won’t be in the future.”
In addition to asking the government to take action, #WeMakeEventsNI is also asking the public to raise awareness about their campaign, upload photos of their most recent concert in Northern Ireland, and include the hashtag #WeMakeEventsNI.
Why is the live events industry so important?
Before the pandemic in Northern Ireland alone, music tourists were spending about 90 million annually, and concerts and festivals had nearly 300,000 viewers per year. There is no doubt that this sector is vital to the local economy.
According to data shared by #WeMakeEventsNI, 58% of live music workers have been laid off, and 87% of that number needs to expand.
It is also understood that 45% of the affected companies expect more layoffs after the end of the government holiday period if it is not extended. Meanwhile, some non-employee members, who make up the bulk of this workforce, have not received any government assistance.
With social distance remaining narrow and the possibility of holding a limited number of gatherings for recreational activities, mass gatherings for financially profitable concerts and festivals have been suspended.
With no signs of a start date, supply companies are inactive and production staff is being laid off. Much of the industry here won’t last until 2021. The self-employed are reluctant to look for work in other sectors even if they have a skill set once asked.
Source: Belfastlive
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