Thurrock violinist backs live streaming service supported by Simon Cowell

VIOLINIST and composer Hannah Woolmer has earned about £10,000 since she joined Lounges.tv in January and started streaming full time from May.

She was initially sceptical of live streaming, believing it was “like busking or for people who use TikTok and hope to become famous”.

But Hannah has completely revised her opinion after Lounges.tv, which is backed by X Factor talent guru Simon Cowell, has provided her with a fresh revenue stream and a new fanbase.On top of her income from streaming performances, she also earns ‘tips’ from fans and viewers – including up to £500 during one 45-minute concert.

And like every other performer on the platform, she receives 80% of her streaming income within 24 hours of going live.

Hannah, who is in her 30s and from Thurrock said: “It’s really exciting to be able to stream online because you can take control of your career and finances.“The top performers may earn more at a concert and get a better choice of venues, but streaming is levelling the playing field and making art available for all.“Lounges has definitely allowed me to tap into a fanbase I would not otherwise have had access to.

“It allows people to become a deeper fan of your work.“You can have much more control over your audience and curate your fanbase so they are kind, friendly and respectful to each other. It’s like performing in an open exhibition at a museum.“

People have to really like your music to travel to your concert – but with the flexible pricing of the live streams they don’t have to make too much effort to ‘trial’ you live.

 “Through the pandemic, when everything closed down, there was a huge shift to online concerts.

“It’s a new, legitimate way to enjoy art. It’s a movement – just like when radio or TV started.

“I began looking for a better platform to do this and Lounges came up. I believe it’s the future of what is a growing industry.”

Hannah, who has composed and performed music for movies, typically live streams three gigs a week and charges between £1.50 and £3 per show.

Her free ‘Friday Fun’ performance is the most popular draw, and is an opportunity for new viewers to get to know her music – and anyone who gives a tip is invited to a private Q&A session afterwards.

Simon Cowell said: “I’m proud to be involved with and to support Lounges.tv. You never know where the next great talent will emerge from and I really believe that creating as many opportunities as possible for talent to be discovered and to build their own fan bases is great for everyone.

“The artists and the audience, rightly, are making 100% of the decisions and Lounges.tv is giving talent another new type of platform to promote themselves.

“I was really interested to learn that on Lounges.tv creators get paid within 24 hours and I thought that was a really good idea and hopefully will make a difference.”