Iron Maiden, Enter Shikari, Muse & more back #LetTheMusicPlay campaign
It's calling on the government to financially support live music
Last updated 2nd Jul 2020
1,500 artists from across the music world have backed a new campaign called #LetTheMusicPlay by signing an open letter to the government calling for more support for the UK’s beleaguered live music scene.
Since live music was brought to a juddering standstill in March due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Let The Music Play campaign says that the financial impact on venues, events and the people that work on them has been momentous.
Announcing #LetTheMusicPlay today (2nd July), a statement on the Concert Promoters Association’s website says that UK live music supported “210,000 jobs across the country and added £4.5bn to the economy in 2019.”
They explained that “with no end to social distancing in sight or financial support from government yet agreed” the future for the entire scene “looks bleak” and that government support is “crucial to prevent mass insolvencies.”
Addressed directly to the Culture Secretary, Oliver Dowden, the open letter says: “(The) 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.”
Among the plethora of artists who have signed the letter are Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, The Prodigy, Biffy Clyro, Muse, The Rolling Stones, Manic Street Preachers, Radiohead, Feeder, Queens of the Stone Age, Ash, Enter Shikari, You Me At Six, Bullet For My Valentine, Neck Deep, Paul McCartney, Mogwai, The Darkness, Download Festival, Bloodstock Open Air, Boston Manor and many more.
#LetTheMusicPlay on social media
Together with raising live music’s bleak plight, the campaign is calling on music fans to share on social media a film or photo of the last gig they played or saw with the hashtag #LetTheMusicPlay.
Many musicians and bands have been getting involved online too.
The Rolling Stones shared a photo of the setlist from their last live show at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami on 30th August 2019:
Iron Maiden commented: "Every band has to start somewhere (in time), & Iron Maiden were no exception. 90% of the UK's grassroots music venues are under threat of closure due to Covid-19. Please show your support for live music & share a photo/video from the last gig you went to, tagging #LetTheMusicPlay"
Muse wrote: "For Muse, playing live & having the opportunity to connect with you is so important. We're so grateful for the experience that live music gives us all. The government must step up & show the industry the support it deserves in these difficult & challenging times #LetTheMusicPlay."
You Me At Six simply wrote: "We are supporting #letthemusicplay 90% of Grassroots live music venues are under threat of permanent closure. We support our music industry."
In a typically impassioned post, Enter Shikari said: "Today, our friends at Music Venue Trust are asking artists to share a video of their last live show as part of their #letthemusicplay #saveourvenues campaign. This is us in Australia. December 2019. the last time any of us stood on a stage.
"We would not have been able to do what we’ve done for the past decade+ if it wasn’t for the time we spent as teenagers playing a supportive circuit of grassroots music venues.
"But this isn’t about us going off around the world and having fun. UK music exports contribute £2Billion+ to the UK economy.
"Over 90% of UK music venues are at risk of closure unless the government steps in to support them through this time.
"Share that to your mates, and please follow and read the MVT's page for more information on how you can get involved."
Check out more posts right here: