Rolling Stones and Liam Gallagher among acts calling on government to help UK's live music industry
The Rolling Stones and Liam Gallagher are some of the 1,500 music acts calling for the government to set out plans and provide financial support to help the UK's live music industry.
The open letter to Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden states the industry is at risk of "massive insolvencies" as concerts and festivals aren't likely to return until next year because of the coronavirus, leaving thousands of musicians and crew members potentially out of work.
The artists say: “UK live music has been one of the UK’s biggest social, cultural, and economic successes of the past decade.
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“But, with no end to social distancing in sight or financial support from government yet agreed, the future for concerts and festivals and the hundreds of thousands of people who work in them looks bleak.
“Until these businesses can operate again, which is likely to be 2021 at the earliest, government support will be crucial to prevent mass insolvencies and the end of this world-leading industry.”
It comes after lockdown in the UK caused venues to shut while many gigs and festivals have been cancelled.
Other artists putting signing their name include Dua Lipa, Ed Sheeran, Skepta, Rita Ora, Coldplay, Eric Clapton, Annie Lennox, Sam Smith, Sir Rod Stewart, Liam Gallagher, Florence + The Machine, George Ezra, Depeche Mode, Iron Maiden, Lewis Capaldi and Little Mix.
The letter also calls on Dowden to deliver a three-point strategy for the restarting of the live music sector along with a clear timeline for reopening venues without social distancing as well as a business and employment support package and VAT exemption on ticket sales.
Oasis singer Gallagher said: “Amazing gigs don’t happen without an amazing team behind the stage, but they’ll all be out of jobs unless we can get back out there doing what we love.
“I can’t wait to get back to playing for the fans. But in the meantime we need to look after the live industry.
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“There are so many great people in it and we all need to support them until we can get back to playing live.”
Artists, venues, festivals and production companies are set to post footage and images from their last live events accompanied with the hashtag #LetTheMusicPlay while fans will be encouraged to share about the last gig they attended prior to lockdown.
With additional reporting by PA.
