Canadian Live Music Association feels current state of COVID sufficient for full reopening

By Alex Goudge

With Ontario now allowing certain venues to operate at 100 per cent capacity, the head of the Canadian Live Music Association (CLMA) is optimistic over the sector's recovery and future, given the current COVID-19 measures available.

CLMA President & CEO Erin Benjamin says the easing of capacity limits was “a light at the end of the tunnel,” but adds the association is now waiting on further restrictions to be eased. This includes allowing events such as general admission standing room shows, which are currently off the table in Ontario. 

“You cannot buy a ticket that is not attached to a seat, no matter what type of venue,” Benjamin told CityNews Ottawa's The Sam Laprade Show on Thursday, October 14. “If it's a venue that didn't used to have seats, the only way to have a show today is to have seats — so they would actually put seats in and your ticket would be assigned to a particular seat.”

Benjamin is confident that with COVID measures in place, such as the proof of vaccination system, it will allow for the live music industry to facilitate a full and final reopening.

She also feels that despite numerous venue closures caused by the pandemic, many in the sector will be able to recover. 

“We're optimistic that things will be rebuilt out of the ashes because nothing can hold these passionate live music promoters, and festival, and venues, and the entire sort of ecology of our industry — nothing can hold these people back and we'll get there once again. 

Listen to the full interview with Sam Laprade:

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