New campaign ‘Let The Music Play’ hopes to protect the UK’s £5.2 billion music sector from crumbling due to social distancing rules.
The UK’s live music scene is on the verge of collapse unless the government intervenes to save hundreds of thousands of jobs and billions of pounds for the economy.
Today the music industry-funded body UK Music launched a campaign ‘Let The Music Play’ to outline their requests to support promoters, festivals, venues, artists, record label, publishers, managers and more from losing their jobs due to the impact of coronavirus.
Their three central asks of the UK government are a clear timeline for reopening venues, full VAT exemption on ticket sales, and business/employment support package with access to finance.
UK Music has joined forces with UK Live Music Group and other music organisations across the nation to form a coalition to highlight the necessity of the music industry within the UK economy.
The sector contributes £5.2 billion to the economy per year and employs 200,000 people across the nation, standing to lose at least £900 million if it remains closed for the rest of 2020.
Artists such as Ed Sheeran, Dua Lipa and Paul McCartney have joined together to sign a letter to Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden calling for support.
How to get involved
On Wednesday 8th July Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak MP will deliver a Summer Economic Update.
UK Music is encouraging you to write to your local MP to call on the Chancellor to support Let The Music Play.
Share a picture or video of the last gig or concert you attended to raise awareness for the significance of the music sector in the UK economy using the hashtag #LetTheMusicPlay and tag the promoter/organiser of the gig.
You can also download their social media asset pack to spread the word about the campaign online.
This campaign builds on the #SaveOurVenues initiative launched by Music Venue Trust earlier this year.
UK Music was established in 2008 to express the core interests of the British music industry and to use lobbying to ensure the voices they represent are heard.
#LetTheMusicPlay
For more information and how to get involved, visit the UK Music website.