By: Gideon Gottfried
Adam Gasson/Metal Hammer Magazine/Future via Getty Images
This is what grassroots music venues are all about. The Defiled live on stage at The Exchange in Bristol, May 13, 2013. The UK s grassroots sector is currently booking shows at its own expense in other to facilitate the return of live.The UK s Music Venue Trust (MVT) conducted a survey amongst the more than 900 members of the Music Venues Alliance (MVA), who confirmed 2,500 shows from May 17, when the government s next phase of easing lockdown begins.
May 17 marks phase three of the UK s roadmap out of lockdown. It will allow will allow performances and sporting events in indoor venues with a capacity of 1,000 people or half-full (whichever is a lower number), and in outdoor venues with a capacity of 4,000 people or half-full (whichever is a lower number), as stated on the UK government s website.
UK festivals are under threat of cancellation without Government insurance, The Association of Independent Festivals (AIF) has said.
Following the announcement of the UK government s roadmap to reopening the hospitality and live entertainment industries in June, the AIF has warned that a number of festivals could be forced to cancel their 2021 events if they don’t receive Government-backed insurance and VAT intervention before the end of this month.
Published two days before the 2021 budget (1st March), the AIF said: This is the final countdown for many festival organisers, who will need to decide whether to commit significant costs by the end of the month if they are to stage events this year.
Support for the live music industry ‘must continue’ ahead of planned reopening, sector spokespeople say.
After almost 12 months of shuttered clubs and music venues, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson gave hope to the sector in a press conference yesterday (22nd), announcing that nightclubs across the country could be reopened as soon as the 21st June.
In response to the possible reopening dates, which will only go ahead if the government s four conditions are met at each phase of lockdown easing, workers, organisations and spokespeople for the UK s live music and night time economy have urged the government to continue providing financial support to the sector.
Submitting.
Ian Fletcher, owner of the Waterloo Music Bar in Blackpool with some of the memoriabilia that he has sold to raise funds. Photo: Kelvin Stuttard
This included a major Crowdfunder appeal which has so far raised almost £24,500 due to massive support for the Waterloo - and now the MVT has raised additional funds for all the venues and given £10,000 to the Blackpool operation.
Ian said: I m delighted by this, it s like an early Christmas present and I can t thank the MVT enough, they do such brilliant work trying to help our music venues. But I d also like to thank all the people who have donated to the appeal, the response has been absolutely incredible.