COVID-19 Safety for Musicians Guidelines

Whippoorwill Arts worked with many organizations, artists, agents and industry collaborators to develop COVID-19 Safety Guidelines for Musicians. The organizations above endorse the guidelines. As the situation evolves, we will continue to evaluate these precautions.

The COVID-19 Safety for Musicians Guidelines was created after reviewing the initial findings of the Whippoorwill Arts Roots Musicians Survey. Data shows that:

65% of musicians did not yet feel comfortable returning to in-person performances.
Women and older musicians are more likely to desire clear safety protocols enforced by venues.
Full-time musicians were significantly more likely to desire specific protocols of safety around performance, including the following: performing outdoors, enforced social distancing, and vaccine documentation for audience/crew.

COVID-19 Safety for Musicians Guidelines

Published August, 2021

WHAT YOU SHOULD ASK: Discuss with the Venue During Booking

The venue must comply with current CDC guidance and the local/state ordinances, whichever one is stricter. We acknowledge that the CDC and local/state recommendations will change as needed, which is why we remain in alignment with them.For musicians booking smaller venues, house concerts, outdoor shows and unique events, please modify these guidelines to suit your needs. Any changes to these guidelines must be discussed and approved by Venue, Musician/Artist, Presenter. In addition:

Inquire about protocols and options for requiring proof of vaccination, a negative COVID-19 test, vaccine passports, or other proof of status from staff, other performers, and/or the audience.
CDC mask guidance must be followed by all audience members and staff. All venue staff (even if vaccinated) must wear masks when in proximity to the artist or band, including techs on stage during changeovers. Staff and artists wash or sanitize hands after touching shared gear.
Venue will provide a well-ventilated, secure dressing room and/or backstage area with hand sanitizer. All surfaces (including door knobs, tables, etc.) will be cleaned and sanitized.
If food is provided in the Green Room for Artists, please make sure it is packaged and unopened.
The stage must have at least a 6-foot distance between audience and front-of-stage. If there is a dance floor, consider a 10-foot distance.
Venue must designate a covid compliance manager who is responsible for overall safety and the development, implementation, staff training, monitoring and improvement of protocols. The name and contact information should be given to the artist and/or manager to contact if there is an issue.
Restrict the backstage area to essential workers and performers only.
Display signage at venue entrance with COVID safety protocols for all.

WHAT YOU SHOULD DO: Protect Yourself

Musicians, please do all you can to protect yourselves and your pod.
Get tested if you have symptoms and do not perform if you have COVID-19.
Wear a mask and get vaccinated if you are medically able.
Keep the venue and presenter informed of your COVID-19 health and vaccination status, stay informed of and follow the most updated CDC guidance.

WHAT OTHER MUSICIANS ARE DOING: Stay Informed

Performing only at venues/festivals which require proof of vaccination, vaccine passports, etc from staff, other performers and the audience
Adding these guidelines to their rider and asking the presenter/buyer to sign off before they return the contract.

Working with smaller/private venues to adapt these guidelines as needed.
Creating or having venues provide a plexiglass screen for merchandising sales. Musicians, we have suggested that you mask; the plexiglass screen is an additional protection for you if you are selling your own merchandise.
No CD signing or meet and greets with fans, sponsors, radio stations, etc for as long as the pandemic remains ongoing.
Rescheduling shows if the venue’s county has a 15% spike in cases within three weeks of the scheduled show. Here is a link to check the status of COVID cases by County: https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#datatracker-home

HELPFUL TOOLS

To help you incorporate the guidelines in line with your personal assessment of risk, Whippoorwill Arts is providing a sample rider, a checklist, and a sample email to send to a Venue/Presenter. You are within your rights to be clear on the guidelines you require to perform. Click below to receive these tools right to your inbox!

Special thanks to Majestic Collaborations whose consulting services were gifted to the project by Folk Alliance International and Performing Arts Readiness to refine the guidelines and help solicit additional expert input.