UK Music has today published its Let the Music Play: Save Our Summer 2021 report.
The report calls on MPs to name a live music ‘restart date’ and sets out the economic, social and cultural value of live music, along with a blueprint for reviving live music once it’s safe to do so.
‘When live music suffers, the whole music industry suffers’, the report explains. ‘The impact has been felt across the industry. Up to 80% of music creators’ income in 2020 will be lost.’
It also warns that the lack of COVID-19 cancellation insurance available is the biggest barrier to major events happening in 2021, despite it having been provided for film and TV industries.
‘When live music suffers, the whole music industry suffers.’
UK Music Chief Executive Jamie Njoku-Goodwin said: ‘While this pandemic is still raging and continues to cause devastation to lives and livelihoods today, there is an endpoint in sight. Government is rolling out the vaccine and is openly speculating about returning to normal by the spring – but there is a serious risk that even if this proves to be a reality, lack of notice and available insurance options will mean much of the 2021 summer music season can’t go ahead.
‘In this report, UK Music is putting forward a clear plan for recovery: what we need to do to get the live performance sector back up on its feet again in 2021. But the clock is ticking, and any day soon we could see major festivals and events start pulling the plug for lack of certainty.
‘With the right support the live music industry can be at the forefront of the post-pandemic recovery and play a key role in our country’s economic and cultural revival – but there will need to be a concerted effort from industry and the Government together if we are to let the music play and save our summer.’
Jamie Njoku-Goodwin is today scheduled to give evidence at the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee’s inquiry into music festivals.
Organisers of longstanding UK festivals Parklife and Boomtown are also due to give evidence.
The report’s publication will be coupled with an S.O.S call from UK Music to ‘Save Our Summer 2021’ with the campaign hashtag #SaveOurSummer2021.
