Covid-19: The impact on the live music industry

• Full report by ITV News Meridian's Will Walters

When the national lockdown was announced in March shows were dropped, tours were axed, festivals wiped from the calendar.

Businesses that work in the live music industry sector were suddenly faced with tough decisions on what to do next.

And it was this that led Stage Truck, a rock 'n roll haulage company from Micheldever, trade touring with the likes of Beyonce, Alice Cooper and Justin Bieber for delivering stock for supermarkets.

Unfortunately, not all businesses had the means to diversify and step into a different market entirely. BCS Audio, based in Fareham, provide the sound for large shows and festivals.

This meant the demand for their equipment completely evaporated when gatherings of people were banned.

BCS Audio has been forced to make 76 people redundant after their revenue for the year was reduced to less than 5% when compared to 2019.

David Shepherd, the general manager of BCS Audio now says everything is resting on next summer. And if shows cannot go ahead then, this business will disappear.

The 1865 music had three sell-out shows the same week that lockdown was announced.

But now, unable to put on shows, they're having to appeal directly to the public for the money they need to survive.

One business that was successful for a share of the Government's £1.57billion Culture Recovery Fund was Liteup, a professional lighting company from Fareham.

Liteup is another example of a company that's been able to use what they have and who they have to still generate income during the pandemic.

By creating a stage set-up they've had artists perform in their warehouse, reaching their audiences through livestreams.

For all of these businesses the spotlight is now on next year with a collective hope for a vaccine and restrictions being lifted.

But for now, they wait in the wings, ready for their encore.