Musicians grateful for performance opportunity at Ōtaki Yard

Steve Poulton performing at Ōtaki Yard market.

It's been a tough year for everyone.

But one group in particular are finding the lingering effects of Covid-19 particularly difficult – musicians.

Many lost their fulltime income from cancelled events, gigs, performances and even supplementary income from teaching students was lost by many in lockdown.

"Musicians have been some of the last people to return to work and up until just a few weeks ago many bookings had been up in the air," said Levin musician Steve Poulton.

Steve has been a musician for 30 years and splits his time between live performances, recording in his studio, teaching music and performing.

Lockdown was hard but the after affects have been more so.

"It has been pretty stressful at times, with little to no idea about when work might start and to what capacity."

But one new community venture has been providing local Kāpiti musicians an opportunity to get back performing.

Since opening in June, delayed due to lockdown, Ōtaki Yard has had more than 12 different local musicians play at the markets and is now fully booked up until mid-January.

Establishing a busking programme to add the vibe of the markets, artists are paid a base retainer to perform a three-hour set at the markets, from 10am-1pm.

They are then able to busk and sell CDs if they have them available.

Ōtaki Yard supplies a marquee, access to power and a chalk signage board to use for promotion.

Ōtaki jazz musician Graham Rikihana has been performing for more than 50 years.

Although he has another daytime job and doesn't rely solely on money generated from his work as a musician, he said the market has been awesome for marketing his profile.

After performing at the market he has managed to secure a number of additional gigs, with people asking him to play at private functions.

"I've got a lot of interest from people asking me to play three hour sets at 50th birthdays and parties," Graham said.

"I've really enjoyed playing at the market and to promote myself it's been great."

Steve is another of the musicians who has found the market to be a great support both financially and also promotionally in terms of exposure.

After a stressful year, being able to perform in front of people again in a stress-free environment has brought back joy to Steve's playing and added to the community feeling at the markets.

"I love the vibe at the Ōtaki Yard market.

"It's just so friendly and it's been especially nice coming out of Covid-19.

"I've felt a real sense of community and a general joy with people being out and about."

When asked what locals can do to support musicians, Steve said showing up to events is the number one thing people can do to support them.

"Dropping something in the tip jar if the music has touched you is appreciated.

"We hear it all the time now but like, subscribe and share - in the real world not just on social media."