While there have been several articles highlighting how post-pandemic touring has affected artists with the skyrocketing cost of fuel, flights and hotels there has been little focus on the strain that the touring crew are under.
Too many experienced riggers, stagehands, lighting and audio crew, truck drivers and catering crews found jobs elsewhere during the pandemic.
The severe lack of staff is affecting all areas of gig production, from the stage setup and loading crew to guitar technicians and stage managers.
Those who remained within the industry, are being pushed to their limit often suffering exhaustion and poor mental health.
It’s simple, there are not enough young people entering the industry at the moment.
Australians do so well in this business and are highly respected by touring crews worldwide.
ALIA is keen to encourage new talent and is open to suggestions on how to help.
Training Information
A Training page will be added to the website this week to have a comprehensive, easy-to-view list of what is available. This will be a work in progress and ALIA will not be endorsing any of the courses. If you know of any courses, please let me know.
Tech Tours
To start with, over the next few months, ALIA will be arranging production tours of major and smaller shows, both live music and theatre and for a select few, shadowing opportunities. The attendees will be shown the various roles available on a show.
“We’ve got to encourage our Aussie youngsters to enter the industry,” comments Daniel Mercer, Production Manager for The Backstreet Boys. “I think there’s a general impression that the work is badly paid but that’s not necessarily so. We have a few Aussies on our world-touring production team.”
Daniel will conduct a production tour of The Backstreet Boys’ second Sydney and Melbourne shows in March. Details will be announced soon.
We are in negotiations with a major international artist for a similar experience.
So if you know anyone interested in entering the industry, please suggest they check the ALIA site frequently or sign up for the weekly newsletter.
How can you help?
Firstly, if you have school or college contacts that may benefit from this campaign please share this with them and suggest they sign up for ALIA’s weekly newsletter.
If you know of any courses, please send details.
If you’re working on a production and can host a tour or have someone shadow you for a day, please contact cat@alia.com.au
Production companies – how about offering the occasional day of work experience?
Most importantly, if you have any ideas on how to encourage people into our industry, again contact cat@alia.com.au
