Just when we thought it couldn't get worse

Government support for the Irish music industry has always been a sore subject. That's no secret. Traditional music tends to be valued far more than Irish rock music or rock musicians in this country. Other areas of the arts are favoured by the State, and far more support is shown for them by the Arts Council and Government.

In Ireland, the modern music industry exists almost in spite of the State rather than because of it. There is no logical framework in place to support this industry. Policy makers do not seem to understand the nature of this business and as such they show it little regard.

Years ago bands would be given the time to develop and blossom after their first few not-so-successful albums until they found their feet and started producing great albums. Nowadays there is no time or money for development like this.Irish contemporary musicians need to stay smart and think on their feet - the Irish music industry in particular is an unpredictable environment, partly because of this lack of support and stability.

Festivals, on the other hand, are a phenomenon which have done quite well out of Government funding strategies over the past few years. This would probably be partly because their success is more tangible than that of other events, with massive attendance rates.The Arts Council remain firm believers that arts events such as music festivals are something which should be nurtured despite the fall in the economy. They believe that especially during such harsh times as these, the arts are vitally necessary to the nation and should not be thought of as a luxury.

This year’s Arts Council budget is €75.7 million but the council say that they are not entirely happy with the allocation of funds planned out. In July last year the Arts Council granted over 900,000 to individual artists, including musicians. I fear this year they will not be capable of showing the same encouragement. Maurice Foley, Deputy Chair of the Arts Council says; “The inevitable cuts will jeopardise much of this investment. The public can expect fewer festivals, fewer exhibitions, less theatre and less music.”

Dunn dunn dunnnn

Words by Laura McGlynn