Complete chaos can be the only way to describe what's happened since the Federal Government announced a ban last week on all non-essential gatherings of above 500 people to minimise the spread of coronavirus.

That ban was upgraded to a restriction on gatherings of more than 100 people, effectively killing off any plans venues had to operate at a reduced capacity such as the Cambridge Hotel.

Everything from major festivals like Groovin The Moo, Splendour In The Grass and Bluesfest, all the way down to your humble covers gig at your corner pub has been postponed or cancelled.

The financial ramifications for musicians, promoters, venues, roadies, sound technicians, publicity officers and many others is impossible to gauge. However, self-reporting website I Lost My Gig has already recorded an estimated loss in income of $150 million in three days.

Speaking to several Newcastle promoters during the week there was genuine fear about how businesses would survive if these coronavirus restrictions remain in place for up to six months as Prime Minister Scott Morrison has touted as a possible scenario.

Ever since the internet decimated the traditional revenue stream of physical records sales, touring and selling merchandise has become the bread and butter of the music industry.

Kurri Kurri alt-country songstress Tori Forsyth posted on Instagram the predicament most musicians face in the coming months.

"Within a whole 10 hours, all of my shows for April have been cancelled," she wrote. "If I'm being totally honest, it is confronting to see your month's wage just evaporate."

Newcastle-bred indie-pop artist Kira Puru called on commercial radio stations to help support Australian musicians through the COVID-19 ban.

"A challenge to Australian radio stations to play mostly/exclusively Aussie artists to jack up our royalties while we wait for our gigs to pick up again," Puru wrote. "1 small, literally free way to aid local artists."

During the summer bushfire crisis the music industry were among the most generous sections of society in banding together to raise funds for affected communities through various charity gigs.

So how can music fans help during this period of self-isolation?

Get online and listen to music through your favourite streaming services, and even buy a CD, vinyl record or band t-shirt.

And most importantly, when the COVID-19 drama passes, get out and enjoy some live music. God knows it'll be needed.