#letthemusicplay
#letthemusicplay

A campaign called #LetTheMusicPlay has been created by the Concert Promoters Association, National Arenas Association, PSA, Music Venues Trust, Agents Association and many individual companies. It is a campaign that is supported by thousands of artists including Coldplay, Muse, Iron Maiden, DJ Wilkinson, Radiohead, The Cure, Dua Lipa, Nick Cave, Johnny Marr, Dizzee Rascal, Primal Scream, Paul McCartney, The Rolling Stones and many more.

The UK Government lockdown is currently being challenged in the courts by Simon Dolan, and the Keep Britain Free campaign. The crowdfunding page has received over £200,000 in support for legal fees. Interestingly, on the day of action (2nd July 2020) for #letthemusicplay the challenge goes to the High Court.

READ THE FULL LETTER HERE:

Dear Secretary of State,

UK live music has been one of the UK’s biggest social, cultural, and economic successes of the past decade. From world-famous festivals to ground-breaking concerts, the live music industry showcases, supports, and develops some of the best talent in the world – on and off-stage.

As important as it is, our national and regional contribution isn’t purely cultural. Our economic impact is also significant, with live music adding £4.5bn to the British economy and supporting 210,000 jobs across the country in 2019.

Like every part of the entertainment industry, live music has been proud to play our part in the national effort to reduce the spread of Coronavirus and keep people safe. 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.

This sector doesn’t want to ask for government help. The promoters, festival organisers, and other employers want to be self-sufficient, as they were before lockdown. But, 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 great British industry.

Government has addressed two important British pastimes – football and pubs – and it’s now crucial that it focuses on a third, live music. For the good of the economy, the careers of emerging British artists, and the UK’s global music standing, we must ensure that a live music industry remains when the pandemic has finally passed.

Yours,

Leading UK artists, music professionals & venues (read the full list of signatories here)

What can you do? 

On Wednesday 8th July Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak MP will deliver a Summer Economic Update.

Please write to your local MP and ask them call on the Chancellor to support Let The Music Play.

You can find your local MP here.

Support the campaign on social media with #LetTheMusicPlay. Download assests here.