The Impact of COVID-19 on the futurity of UK Grassroots Music Venues
- Atalanta Tolputt
- Jul 2, 2020
- 3 min read
As you may have already heard, the future of Grassroots Music Venues on the other side of the gatecrashing virus that is COVID-19 is eerily uncertain and unpredictable. Grassroot Music Venues such as The Forum in Tunbridge Wells (250 capacity), Dingwalls (500 capacity) or the Village Underground (720 capacity) both in London all face uncertainty about whether they will be able to operate in a post-COVID world.
Attaining gigs is part of our culture, and with the pubs and non-essential shops reopening, there is hope that the events sector is next, but in the meantime... the events industry is demanding support from the government.
The live music industry is currently struggling largely from the lack of government support in both the inability to offer the industry with a rough timeline for the reopening of venues as well as the financial disregard for the sector. The industry is said to have contributed £4.5bn to the economy in 2019 with facilitating around 210,000 jobs up and down the country. As a result of the Coronavirus is that somewhere around 30-50% of the industry workforce are currently facing unemployment, with events cancelled before lockdown and the possibility of some venues not being able to open at all till 2021. The events industry, and has been pleading for government support.
"Over 400 Grassroots Music Venues in the UK are at imminent risk of being closed permanently."
A new major campaign has been set up by the Concert Promoters Association with the help of other live music stakeholders; artists, venues, promoters, festivals and the likes. To support the campaign use the hashtag #LetTheMusicPlay on social networking sites (Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, etc.). The campaign is calling for people to share their last experiences at the last gig they attended before Coronavirus with the hashtag to gain momentum and the importance of government support for the live music sector.
With 90% of Grassroot Music Venues in the UK under threat of closing their doors completely, the event industry is calling on the government to provide the live music industry with a £50 million cash support package with immediate effect and a reduction on VAT on; ticket sales and bringing tax for UK Grassroot Music Venues on the same scale as their international competitors.
This government support would enable Grassroot Music Venues to stay open and have the money available to pay for outgoings and maintenance costs that have not stopped, even when the venues have shut their doors and the UK is in a nationwide lockdown. This money will go towards the venue's rent, maintenance, and other running costs and is crucial to ensure the longevity of the UK and international music scenes.
The United Kingdom has the second biggest live music events industry and is home to some of the most famous and popular venues; The O2, London (20,000 cap) of course being one of them, however, research shows that they are still set to lose 5 million attendees due to Coronavirus.
In 2019, there were more than 175,000 events held in UK Grassroot Venues and since the 20th March, 2020, there have been none. The impact this is having on the industry, the artists, the venues, the fans is catastrophic.
Together, we can demand support for music venues and work towards sustaining a future for the live music industry, it's venues, artists, producers, promoters, security staff, freelance staff, cleaners, and everyone else that relies on the industry.
Sign the letter to demand a call for government to provide the industry with a re-opening date and timeline, financial aid and more support. <You can find the letter by clicking here>. We have seen the tremendous efforts the teams at the ExCel Centre in London and other various venues up and down the country being transformed to large scale Nightingale hospitals to support the Coronavirus in a matter of days, the importance of the events industry is paramount to the rebuilding of our economy, society and our livelihoods. Our events industry can rebuilt itself, if it gets support now to keep afloat until they are able to re-open for a strong 2021. The events industry is extremely versatile and has shown just how incredible it is.
Get involved, Show your support by sharing you last gig on social media with the hashtag #LetTheMusicPlay and tell us why you love live music and why it is important to you. Without Grassroots Venues, there would be no Dua Lipa, no Adele, no Billie Eilish, no Beatles, no big household name artists. Grassroot venues play a significant part in the live music industry and giving aspirating artists the platform to find their sound, their brand, their voices and paths the way in their careers. These artists have to start somewhere. The future of these Grassroot Venues is in danger. The next upcoming artists are going to suffer. The government needs to act, and act quick.
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