Over 1,500 artists demand government to avoid “catastrophic damage” to music

The #LetTheMusicPlay campaign launches today

Artists including The Cure, Johnny Marr, Dua Lipa, Nick Cave, PJ Harvey, Dizzee Rascal, IDLES, The Rolling Stones and more have voiced their support for a new campaign which calls on the government to do more to protect the music industry.

In an open letter they state:

“UK live music has been one of the UK’s biggest social, cultural, and economic successes of the past decade. But, with no end to social distancing in sight or financial support from government yet agreed, the future for venues, concerts and festivals and the hundreds of thousands of people who work in them looks bleak.

Like other countries such as Germany and Australia, we need the Government to help the music industry, which contributes £5.2 billion to the economy annually and sustains almost 200,000 jobs to ensure it remains world-leading following the damage caused by this pandemic.

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.”

“Our three key asks of the Government are:

1. A clear conditional timeline for reopening venues without social distancing
2. An immediate comprehensive business and employment support package* and access to finance.
3. Full VAT exemption on ticket sales.”

Read the full open letter here https://www.ukmusic.org/policy/let-the-music-play

They are also asking you to write to your local MP to demand help https://members.parliament.uk/FindYourMP