I’m someone who has dedicated most of my young adult life to music. Working in the industry from 16 and going to college to get my Live Events and Promotion diploma. So I felt completely lost when it was no longer safe to do my job as a promoter. Not only did I have to work extremely hard to be where I am as a 21 year old girl with 6 years experience in the industry, working 2 or even 3 jobs (usually around christmas time) but I felt like my creative spark, the thing that got my thoughts flowing, went with it. And I know I'm not alone.
I’ve often had people say ‘is that really a job?’ and ‘what you just book bands to play’. Of course it's a job, it’s my career. Just because we love what we do, doesn’t make it any less of a job. But sadly I feel that this was also the response from our government, as many freelancers (often creatives), musicians, independent venues and businesses didn’t get the help, support or recognition they needed during this pandemic. The live music industry supported 210,000 jobs across the country. Music festivals support 85,000 jobs and 90% of grassroots music venues were under threat of closure. Although we seem to have light at the end of the tunnel, there is still so much more that needs to be done to save the UK’s nightlife.
The non-profit organisation Music Venue Trust has been a knight in shining armour for our distressed venues during this pandemic raising over 3.8Million pounds for venues that didn’t qualify for the 1.7billon culture recovery fund run by the government. This is all down to ‘people power’. We have all seen the hashtags #lethemusicplay #saveourvenues and #saveourscenes that have been raising awareness and funds with socially distanced bike rides in the uk with DJ’s such as Josh Parkinson providing the thumping house music we more familiarly heard in the clubs, and via the strength in our social media communities.
Unfortunately we have lost a handful of venues that we all know and loved during this pandemic such as; Manchester Roadhouse, Dance Tunnel, DIY Space, The Bistro, Efes, The Flapper, Five Miles, Styx, Peoples Club, Birthdays. There are still a number of venues that are in dire need of support from us such as: Alchemy, Beehive Jazz, Boom, Dryad Works, Egg, Spiritual Bar, The 1865, The Hot Tin, The Lexington, The Post Bar, The Venue, The Waiting Room, The Windmill, Venue 38.
So what can you do? Buy tickets, socially distanced shows are set to resume from the 17th May. Yes it might not be the close contact, sweaty gig you are used to but it’s a great way to enjoy the music in its purest form. Intimate and mesmerising. Book Ahead, musicians and venues have a lot of making up to do and with a year off working on their music means there will be some brand new live material that you have never heard before. And possibly not played live before. Buy venue and artist merch, because what's cooler than a band-tee to show what a die hard music fan you are. Crowdfunders, Music Venue Trust have curated a list of many venues that are in need, so donate and there may even be little goodies for you to claim if you do.
Music has such an influence on many people’s lives, It’s great for our mental wellbeing, our social lives and our culture. So let’s all come together in a time where music has probably helped a lot of us through, and bring music back alive in the not so distant future.
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