The COVID-19 pandemic was a death knell for countless independent and mid-level artists who relied on touring to survive. With venues shutting down overnight and live music grinding to a halt, many musicians found themselves without their primary source of income. Unlike major artists with streaming royalties, merchandise empires, and label backing, smaller acts had no financial cushion—just mounting bills and no way to pay them.

One of the most devastating casualties of this industry collapse was Anathema, a band that had spent decades carving out a niche in progressive rock and metal. Despite critical acclaim and a dedicated fanbase, the band was ultimately unable to weather the financial storm. With no live shows, no sustainable income, and no clear path forward, Anathema made the painful decision to retire in 2020, selling their equipment just to stay afloat. Their story is a stark reminder of how the pandemic didn’t just disrupt the music industry—it permanently ended careers.

The Pre-COVID Reality for Bands Like Anathema

For mid-tier bands like Anathema, touring wasn’t just a way to promote albums—it was the primary source of income. In an era where streaming platforms pay fractions of a cent per play, album sales alone weren’t enough to sustain most independent artists. Merchandise sales at gigs, festival slots, and consistent touring cycles were the backbone of financial stability. Without these revenue streams, survival became impossible.

Anathema had spent decades evolving from their doom metal roots into one of progressive rock’s most respected acts. Albums like Weather Systems (2012) and The Optimist (2017) received widespread acclaim, earning the band a loyal following. While they weren’t topping mainstream charts, they had built a sustainable career through relentless touring, passionate fans, and a steady release cycle. By 2019, Anathema was a well-established name in the progressive scene, regularly selling out club venues and festival slots across Europe.

Despite their success, they operated within tight financial margins, like many mid-level bands. With physical album sales declining and streaming revenue failing to compensate, every tour was essential. When the pandemic hit and live music disappeared, so did their ability to survive.

The COVID-19 Shutdown: A Death Sentence for Live-Dependent Artists

When the world shut down in early 2020, the music industry’s foundation collapsed overnight. Tours were canceled, festivals scrapped, and venues shuttered indefinitely. For bands like Anathema, this was a financial death sentence. With no live shows, their primary source of income vanished instantly. There was no roadmap for recovery—just months of uncertainty and growing financial strain.

Major artists, backed by label advances, publishing royalties, and lucrative streaming deals, had safety nets to weather the storm. Pop superstars could afford to delay album cycles or pivot to virtual performances. But for independent and mid-tier acts, the reality was starkly different. Many were living tour to tour, relying on gig fees and merchandise sales to pay rent, bills, and equipment costs. Without that income, survival became impossible.

Government support was inconsistent at best, and streaming services—where millions of plays equated to little more than pocket change—offered no lifeline. While some bands attempted crowdfunding or livestreamed performances, these efforts rarely made up for the sheer financial loss of canceled tours. For Anathema, like many others, there was no viable way forward. The shutdown wasn’t just a temporary pause—it was the end of the road.

Anathema’s Struggle to Stay Afloat

Like many artists blindsided by the pandemic, Anathema faced an impossible challenge—surviving without the touring income that had sustained them for decades. With their 2020 tour plans canceled and no clear timeline for a return to live music, the band found themselves in financial freefall. While some musicians turned to crowdfunding or online performances, these avenues weren’t a viable long-term solution for a band of Anathema’s size.

In September 2020, after months of uncertainty, Anathema made the heartbreaking decision to suspend all activity indefinitely. They cited the financial impact of the pandemic as the key reason, acknowledging that without touring, they simply couldn’t continue. Unlike major artists with label support or lucrative streaming revenues, Anathema had no safety net.

The situation grew even more dire when members of the band were forced to sell their equipment just to make ends meet. Instruments, amplifiers, and studio gear—tools that had been integral to their creative process—were now a means of survival. It was a devastating end for a band that had spent decades building a career through relentless passion and dedication.

Anathema’s story wasn’t unique. It was a grim reflection of what happened to countless independent and mid-level musicians who, despite years of hard work, were left with no choice but to walk away.

The Bigger Picture: The Industry’s Abandonment of Independent Artists

The collapse of Anathema was not an isolated incident—it was part of a much larger crisis that exposed the brutal reality of the modern music industry. When live music disappeared, so did the financial stability of thousands of independent and mid-tier artists. Yet, as bands like Anathema struggled to survive, the support they desperately needed never came.

Governments introduced aid packages in some countries, but these were often slow, inconsistent, or failed to reach the musicians who needed them most. Many artists fell through the cracks, unable to qualify for support due to the freelance nature of their work. Meanwhile, record labels prioritized their biggest earners, leaving smaller acts to fend for themselves.

Streaming platforms, which had already been criticized for their exploitative payout structures, did nothing to address the crisis. Spotify, Apple Music, and others continued to rake in revenue while artists received fractions of a cent per stream. The platforms encouraged musicians to engage with fans online, but streaming an album millions of times still didn’t generate enough to replace even a single canceled tour.

Beyond the artists, the entire live music ecosystem suffered. Venues, festivals, and promoters—many of which were already operating on thin margins—faced permanent closure. With no gigs, no ticket sales, and no government bailouts, legendary clubs and independent festivals disappeared, further reducing opportunities for artists to return once restrictions lifted.

What Could Have Been Done Differently?

The collapse of independent artists like Anathema during the COVID-19 pandemic was not inevitable—it was the result of an industry that had long prioritized corporate profits over artist sustainability. If real structural changes had been in place, many musicians could have survived the crisis instead of being forced into retirement.

One of the most obvious failures was the lack of financial support for musicians and live venues. Governments provided aid for various industries, but live music—despite its cultural and economic value—was often an afterthought. Emergency grants and subsidies could have helped independent artists bridge the gap, ensuring that losing a tour didn’t mean losing their entire livelihood.

Streaming services also could have played a far bigger role in preventing financial ruin. Platforms like Spotify and Apple Music continued to profit throughout the pandemic, but their royalty structures remained exploitative. A fairer payment system—such as a user-centric model where subscription fees are distributed based on actual listening habits—could have provided more sustainable income for artists, rather than concentrating wealth among a handful of top performers.

Labels and management companies could have done more to support their mid-level and independent acts. Instead of focusing solely on their biggest earners, investment in struggling artists—whether through advance payments, flexible contracts, or direct financial assistance—could have helped musicians weather the storm.

Finally, greater industry-wide collaboration could have created alternative revenue streams for artists. More innovative approaches, such as government-backed livestream concert initiatives, fairer ticket refund policies, and better direct-to-fan platforms, could have softened the blow. Instead, most musicians were left to fend for themselves.