Melanie C, Tom Walker, Alfie Boe and Big Narstie support PRS Emergency Relief Fund 24hr gig
Over 50 artists from across four continents taking part
A-listers and emerging artists from across the music community are coming together on Friday 24 April 2020 for 24 hours from midday BST to take part in PRS Presents LCKDWN, a virtual gig hosted in aid of the PRS Emergency Relief Fund supporting music creators facing significant financial hardship as a result of the global coronavirus pandemic.
With all genres represented, over 50 artists from across four continents, will take part in PRS Presents LCKDWN, a one-off 24-hour virtual event celebrating the special role music plays in our lives, the positive impact it has and, importantly, the creators behind the music.
Tom Walker, Big Narstie, Alfie Boe, Ankur Tewari, Nadia Rose, Joy Crookes, Katie Melua, Nitin Sawhney, Roachford, Linda Perry, Black Futures, KT Tunstall, D.J S.K.T, Oscar Jerome, Yizzy, Tim Wheeler (Ash), and Shadow Child are amongst the eclectic line-up.
Melanie C, Nick Mason CBE (Pink Floyd), Joan Armatrading, Anastacia, Chris Difford (Squeeze), Rick Wakeman (Yes), Gary Numan, Peter Gabriel, Imelda May, Muff Winwood, actor and comedian Matt Lucas, and classical composer Howard Goodall CBE, are just some of the music royalty to offer video messages of support to the cause.
All proceeds raised from the virtual gig will go towards the PRS Emergency Relief Fund, launched in March by PRS for Music and its charity partners PRS Foundation and PRS Members’ Fund, to help songwriters and composers severely financially impacted by coronavirus. The PRS Emergency Relief Fund has helped over 3000 people so far.
The live music industry, which is the main income for most music creators, has halted entirely, from arena-sized tours and festivals, to gigs at independent grassroot venues and pubs. With many professional songwriters earning less than minimum wage and no reassurance as to when the live industry will be able to return, there is an urgent need to ensure that support is available to all those that need it.
Songwriters and composers are at the heart of the music we listen to. As a nation we are turning to music, whether on the radio, online, or revisiting our vinyl collections, to get us through this time of isolation. PRS Presents LCKDWN is a way for the music community to celebrate its peers and idols, the music they create, and to lift spirits.
PRS for Music represents the rights of over 145,500 songwriters and composers in the UK and worldwide. Performances will be aired from home studios, living rooms and kitchens, with artists joining from England, Honduras, India, Japan, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales, and USA.
I’m buzzing to be part of PRS Presents LCKDWN alongside such a banging line-up. We’re all figuring this out as we go along, so to still feel part of a bigger collective during this time it’s really inspiring.
The PRS Emergency Relief Fund has helped thousands of music creators since the pandemic began. Thank you, PRS, for helping to keep music alive.
I am honoured to be performing in support of all musicians and the essential work of PRS for Music during this difficult time. My set features three other key members of my band, Nicki Wells, YVA and Anna Phoebe and we will be performing material from across my past albums. Thanks for watching!
We have seen first-hand the difference the PRS Emergency Relief Fund has made and I would like to sincerely thank everyone who has donated so far. PRS Presents LCKDWN is a way for us to collectively celebrate music creators, to support our industry as a united community and to champion the music lifting spirits and getting us all through this challenging time.
Full PRS Presents LCKDWN line-up (in alphabetical order): Alfie Boe, ALYSS, Ankur Tewari, Be Charlotte, Big Narstie, Black Futures, Brooke Bentham, Caitlyn Scarlett, Colin Macleod, D.J S.K.T, GLOWE, Harleighblu, Ivorian Doll, Jamie Lenman, Jenna Reid, Joshua Burnside, Joy Crookes, Katie Melua, KT Tunstall, Lauran Hibberd, LibraLibra, Lilla Vargen, Linda Perry, Lowri Evans, Millie Turner, Minke, Nadia Rose, Neil Cowley, Nick Wood, Nitin Sawhney, Oktae, Oscar Jerome, Roachford, Shadow Child, Sharky, Soumik Datta, Stella Talpo, Still Greedy, Tawiah, The Howl & The Hum, The Nanos, Tim Wheeler, Tom Walker, White Tail Falls, Willa Amai, Wolfe Jackson and Yizzy.
About PRS for Music
Here for music since 1914, PRS for Music is a world-leading music collective management organisation representing the rights of more than 175,000 talented songwriters, composers and music publishers. Redefining the global standard for music royalties, PRS for Music ensures songwriters and composers are paid whenever their musical compositions and songs are streamed, downloaded, broadcast, performed and played in public.
For 110 years it has grown and protected the rights of the music creator community, paying out royalties with more accuracy, transparency and speed. In 2023, PRS for Music paid out £943.6m in royalties and collected a record £1.08 billion in revenues. prsformusic.com
