Latest news with #EleanorMcEvoy
Irish Times
08-07-2025
- Business
- Irish Times
State supports and tax credits required to help struggling Irish musicians, says Imro
State supports, including tax incentives similar to those available to the film industry, should be considered to help the Irish music industry grow and navigate the challenges facing artists in the era of content streaming, the Irish Music Rights Organisation (Imro) has said. Research published by the body on Tuesday revealed that the music industry is worth €1 billion to the Republic's economy annually, supporting more than 13,400 jobs. Based on a nationally representative survey of 1,000 people and a survey of Imro members, the report found that Irish adults spent an average of €757 on music events last year, including festivals and individual concerts. Music fans spent an average of €298 on concerts in high-capacity venues last year and €194 on festivals, Imro said. READ MORE However, two-thirds of survey respondents said the high and growing price of concert tickets is a barrier to gig-going, while almost half cited the accommodation costs as an issue. 'At the heart of this report is a clear truth: Irish people don't just enjoy music – they live it. From packed festival fields to quiet moments with a favourite playlist, music is embedded in our daily lives,' said Imro chairwoman Eleanor McEvoy. 'This heartfelt connection is at the core of our vibrant music culture, but people working in the sector need more than passion to thrive. According to the research, more than 13,400 people are employed in the music industry here, yet just 43 per cent of Imro members surveyed said they had full-time jobs in the sector. Almost 70 per cent said they are reliant on employment in other sectors of the economy to sustain their careers, 'reflecting a widespread dependency on external income sources', the report's authors said. Against this backdrop of financial precarity, Imro said the uneven distribution of streaming income, which means artists and songwriters receive a disproportionately lower share of the revenue relative to the streaming platforms, means mean musicians are struggling to earn sustainable incomes. The body said the Government should look to apply some of the financial strategies that have helped the Irish film industry grow and develop, such as the Section 481 tax credit, to alleviate the financial burden on musicians. The Republic's music industry could also benefit from State intervention at the level of marketing, Imro said, citing the example of the popularity of K-pop and the South Korean government's efforts to export it to a global audience. Imro also wants the Government to put the Basic Income for the Arts, a pilot version of which was unveiled in 2022 and runs until the end of this year, on a permanent footing. Ms McEvoy said musicians must be fairly compensated in the streaming economy and protected from 'emerging risks' like artificial intelligence. 'The recommendations outlined here are not just aspirational, they are essential steps toward a sustainable and equitable future for Irish music, and we look forward to working closely with the Government and the Oireachtas committees to further these recommendations,' she said.
RTÉ News
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- RTÉ News
Music industry contributes €1bn to Irish economy
The Irish music industry contributes €1 billion annually to the Irish economy, according to a new report published today by IMRO (Irish Music Rights Organisation). The report also states however, that despite the significant levels of interest and spending on music in Ireland, the dream of becoming a professional musician "remains out of the reach of many." In 'Music report 2025', IMRO found that live events (gigs and festivals) dominate consumer expenditure, generating €786 million annually. The research states that concerts in high-capacity venues account for the largest share at €298 million, while the average spend on music festivals is €194 million. IMRO Chairperson and singer/songwriter Eleanor McEvoy said that "at the heart of this report is a clear truth: Irish people don't just enjoy music - they live it." However, Ms McEvoy also pointed out IMRO's view that there is a need to ensure that musicians are "fairly compensated in the streaming economy", protected from emerging risks such as "unregulated AI," and supported through initiatives like Basic Income for the Arts and Section 481 reforms. The report provides information on consumer spending on streaming services, stating that the spend reached €375m in 2024 with 53% of adults subscribing to services like Spotify, YouTube Music, and Amazon Music. Spotify is the most popular streaming service the research found. The report also states that the average adult spends approximately €1,000 per year on music related products and services, with a spend of €757 per year on music events. The balance is spent on streaming, merchandise, and other music related products including physical media such as vinyl and CDs. This new research states that the Irish music industry employs over 13,400 people, however it warns that the work is "seasonal" and not a full time job. Concerns were raised at the cost of accessing music experiences, with two thirds of adults flagging the cost of tickets as the main barrier to attending gigs and almost half (49%) highlighting accommodation costs as another issue facing fans going to music events. IMRO highlights the organisation's concerns that despite significant consumer spending, many Irish artists struggle to make a living as annual income for full time music professionals is almost 40% lower than national average. The members are calling for better financial support and robust protections for music creators, including fair remuneration and safeguards against the "misuse of AI". Among the recommendations listed in the report, IMRO is seeking "specific tax incentives for using Irish music within Audiovisual productions", and continuation of support for Ireland's grassroots music venues. Chair of the Oireachtas Committee on Media Alan Kelly launched the report and said that while he welcomes the findings, the report serves as a timely reminder that "passion alone" cannot sustain a career in music, adding that too many artists and songwriters are grappling with "financial insecurity," exacerbated by the unfair distribution of streaming revenues and the "growing challenges posed by AI". Deputy Kelly also said that "Government must take these findings seriously." IMRO was set up to administer the performing right in copyright music on behalf of its members (songwriters, composers and music publishers) and on behalf of members of the international overseas societies that are affiliated to it.
