Following this news, many nightclub and venue owners say they are on the “brink of collapse” and that the introduction will lower their numbers even further over the Christmas period, posing “a threat to the very survival of thousands of businesses and jobs”. A recent study revealed that up to 40% of punters aren’t actually showing up to shows they’ve bought tickets to.

This paired with the fact fewer people are buying fewer tickets anyway is causing some major issues for the entire live music industry. Beverley Whitrick, Strategic Director of MVT (Music Venue Trust) states, “A ‘no show’ isn’t just lost ticket income, it’s lost bar take and excess staff costs” adding, “Rapid declines in attendance at this time of year represent an exponential threat to the whole sector, and losses of this magnitude cannot be sustained without throwing hundreds of music venues into crisis mode and at risk of permanent closure.”

 “It’s now the proportionate and responsible thing to move to Plan B in England while continuing to work closely with our colleagues in the devolved administrations so we can slow the spread of the virus,” addressed Boris Johnson to the nation last week. MVT CEO Mark Davyd argued in response, “confusing government messaging had created a ‘stealth lockdown’ with venues apparently able to open but in reality, haemorrhaging money at a rate that will inevitably result in permanent closures unless the government acts quickly to prevent it.”.

 The MVT is also backing the “Revive Live Tour” headlined by Bastille, Becky Hill, and The Coral with the objective to raise money for the industry by associating with the National Lottery. See here for details.

Looking for the perfect gift this Christmas? Grab a buy-one-get-one-free ticket to The National Lottery’s #ReviveLive Tour and give the gift of an experience with some amazing artists this January at grassroots music venues!
https://t.co/wU6Yk8PE9K pic.twitter.com/yulsSoiuh1

— Music Venue Trust (@musicvenuetrust) December 14, 2021

In order to help nightlife survive, the NTIA (Night Time Industry Association, another industry acting as a union for the issue) are calling for a VAT for the sector at 12.5 per cent, additional grants unique to hospitality, and for the government to reinstate furlough for the first quarter of 2022. NTIA CEO, Michael Kill, claims, “Without this, the result is a threat to the very survival of thousands of businesses and jobs.”

The North London based band will be releasing 500 vinyls on Bandcamp, with all the proceeds going to The Windmill. Sorry have taken to Instagram to promote their new live album from their November show at the mentioned music venue. They said,  ‘We’re releasing this live show we did last Nov at the Windmill exclusively on Bandcamp this Bandcamp Friday! 500 vinyl copies only. All money goes to support the Windmill staying open, 2 new unreleased tracks on it – buy a copy at in bio x’

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A post shared by SORRY. (@sorrybanduk)

The albums tracklist is from their debut album released in 2020, ‘925’, plus a further two bonus tracks as promised by the band. The album has been hailed as ‘unashamedly experimental and woozy, without having a bad track on it’ with added help and expertise from Gorillaz producer James Dring during production. Started by best friends Asha Lorenz and Louis O’Bryen, the experimental indie quartet will be charging £20 for the live album as well as donating £925 themselves to the worthy cause.

The Windmill has been described by Billboard as “a divey hangout for indie-spirited DIY musicians”, presenting a welcoming space for musicians to experiment with their sound to a music-fanatic audience. The Windmill have their own fundraiser set up too, which has raised up to £65,000 of the desired £72,000 target.

This is not the only time Sorry have participated in fundraising to save music venues from closure. During May 2020, they and other bands such as Shame and Porridge Radio, participated in a charity compilation, ‘Group Therapy Vol.1’, which raised funds for Music Venues Trust and NHS Charities Together. 

A Night At The Windmill’ will be released on 12th March 2021 but can be pre-ordered now via Bandcamp.

Symbolic tickets were available as donations to the campaign, alongside raffle tickets for exclusive prizes offered by the participating bands. Although the festival itself was free and it is available online, everyone can still head up to their official website and donate to the noble cause and enter the prize draw until 28 December. The organisers have shared the following statement found on the About section of the website:

“The past, present and future of the UK music industry relies on grassroots, independent music venues. We at Five4Five can’t stand by and watch as our venues are left to weather the Covid-19 crisis on their own. We’re proud to partner up with the Music Venue Trust to help ensure they can reopen safely, so we can go back to the loud and sweaty spaces where it all begins. In the meantime, we’ve gathered some of the finest acts to enjoy from the comfort of your own sofa. We hope you enjoy and donate if you can.”

If everyone watching across all platforms donated £5 at https://t.co/3b3Fx5Ik9c right now we would instantly raise £2,500 to help grassroots music venues from closing forever. Please give if you can, stay safe, chins up #545Fest

— five4fivefest (@five4fivefest) December 19, 2020

The first edition of the virtual festival took place earlier this year, in the midst of the first nation-wide lockdown. Enter Shikari and Don Broco acted as the symbolic headliners of the inaugural event over 15 and 16 May, delivering special sets recorded from home. Similarly, the first shows encauraged donation and raffle tickets in support to the NHS Charities Together and managed to raise over £50,000.

The second Five4Five fest selected Brighton rockers Yonaka and Welsh outfit Holding Absence as symbolic headliners across the two days. The Friday show saw official support from The Dangerous Summer, Vukovi, Lizzy Farrall, Delaire The Liar, Rob Lynch, Holiday Oscar, Snake Eyes, Weatherstate, Tally Spear and Paper Mill, with aftershow by Zoe London. The Saturday evening performances included Normandie, GCWCF, Hacktivist, Nova Twins, Chapter And Verse, As Everything Unfolds, The Rhythm Method, Stay Free, Anavae, Haggard Cat, followed by DJ set by Tasmin Taylor.

 

 

 

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A wide range of exciting one-of-a-kind prizes are still available with raffle tickets starting from £5 and available until the random draw on 28 December. Most participating bands have offered exclusive items and bundles including a special merch pack from Holding Absence, sweatshirt and poster from Yonaka, Normandie’s ‘White Flag‘ jacket, an EP by Hacktivist, and many more. In addition, there are also limited prizes by previous headliners Enter Shikari (signed drumskin) and Don Broco (the last ever Rob Bot action figure), as well as a lucky dip for Architects’ merch and a shoes bundle by official partner Vans.

As confirmed in the Terms & Conditions: “Please note, when purchasing a raffle item, you are paying £5.00 to enter with the chance of winning the item. Think of it as your entry fee to the festival, and you might go home with an exclusive prize!“. All donations and purchased raffle tickets “will go directly into helping grassroots venues stay open.”

Goes without saying that gigs couldn’t possibly come sooner. Hope you have enjoyed the next best thing this weekend.#545Fest

— five4fivefest (@five4fivefest) December 19, 2020

MVT is an organization that represents Grassroots Music Venues across the UK and has already raised over 1.2 million with the SaveOurVenues fight throughout the last 8 months. With only 2 weeks left until the campaign deadline, the Traffic Light phase is intended to showcase the venues that are at the highest risk of closing their doors for good.

Traffic Light gets its name because of the coloured categorization of the music venues according to their needs. There are 353 green venues that will be safe without outside funding until March 31st. Amber venues are safe until March 31st if given outside help. Red venues, currently under the spotlight, are the 30 that the organization has deemed in danger of closing without funding in the next few weeks.

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A post shared by Music Venue Trust (@musicvenuetrust)

The MVT has worked with audiences, local communities and councils, news and radio stations and creative communities in order to raise funds to save the venues, but it is now calling on everyone else to call their local councils and demand action and raise awareness. MVT states on their website that if music venues close, ‘they’ll never come back.’

The organization is now in partnership with Crowdfunder, a platform where the public can donate any sum they choose as a donation for the cause. The 30 venues that are on the MVT’s ‘red list’ are now available to donate to individually, so locals can choose to save their neighbourhood venues. 

If one venue receives an abundance of donations, then the extra proceeds will be used to save other venues that may not have been fortunate enough to meet their quota by the deadline. MVT and the venues are offering SaveOurVenues merchandise for the holiday seasons and will be donating the profits to the venues. 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Music Venue Trust (@musicvenuetrust)

Music venues have been hit hard during the Covid-19 lockdowns, but these venues struggle hardest because they do not qualify for government furlough or business funding. Venues are an integral friend to communities, not only providing a platform for artists to grow in their careers but also playing a large role in the success of the economy and culture of the area. The impact of Grassroots Music Venues is important enough to save.

Donations for SaveOurVenues and Traffic Light campaigns can be made through MVT’s Crowdfunding site here. Holiday merchandise can be ordered now, available here. For those who wish to simply raise awareness, use this hashtag on all social media platforms. #SAVEOURVENUES #SAVETHE30

The band shared the news on social media, saying, “Being able to perform is the reason we do this.” There are unlimited raffle tickets available, priced at £5 each, but only 6 prizes to be won. Each prize is the same: There is the incredible opportunity to spend a day as a Bring Me The Horizon tour tech, meet the band, watch the show from backstage, and win a bespoke merchandise bundle. There is no limit to the number of times one person can enter, giving an even better chance of winning, and offering the crew more financial support.

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being able to perform is the reason we do this. enter the raffle, help support our incredible crew and win the chance to spend the day as a bmth tour tech, meet us, and watch the show backstage. raffle closes wednesday 6pm. link in bio. #letthemusicplay

A post shared by ʙʀɪɴɢ ᴍᴇ ᴛʜᴇ ʜᴏʀɪᴢᴏɴ (@bringmethehorizon) on Aug 7, 2020 at 8:33am PDT

Many bands and other industry workers have shared their concern for the future of the music business, both in the UK and around the world. Bring Me The Horizon’s raffle is yet another creative way in which support can be shown, and live music can continue as we know it. Artists including James Bay, Ben Lovett (Mumford & Sons), and Blossoms, have all spoken out about this issue and suggested ways in which their fans can help. But, without urgent Government support, it is unlikely that live events will be able to continue after the Covid-19 pandemic has eased.

Bring Me The Horizon’s announcement follows the release of their latest single ‘Parasite Eve’ at the end of June, as well as four part projects entitled ‘Post Human’, which will feature an upcoming collaboration with Yungblud. It is likely that, despite the time they’ve enjoyed creating four new records during lockdown, the band are eager to start performing live again, and potentially hold a tour to bring ‘Post Human’ to their fans. Currently, Bring Me The Horizon have seven festival dates planned for 2021, which are listed below and can be found on the official website.

02/06/2021 – Nova Rock – Nickelsdorf, Austria
03/06 – Greenfield Festival – Interlaken, Switzerland
17/06 – Vox Heavy Rock Festival – Oeiras, Portugal
18/06 – Southside Festival – Tuttlingen, Germany
20/06 – Hurricane Festival – Scheeßel, Germany
24/06 – Tons of Rock – Oslo, Norway
13/08 – Highfield Festival – Grosspösna, Germany

Their message to the Government, music lovers, music business workers, and anyone who can help, is that “the events sector urgently needs more support to survive the Covid-19 crisis.” On PLASA’s website, they write, “Live events around the world have been devastated, from major festivals and landmark theatres, to grassroots venues and business events. Without major immediate support from government, the entire supply chain is at risk of collapse.”

In a new attempt to gain attention, the organisation has arranged a march to take place in locations around the UK today, Tuesday 11th August. Artists, bands, producers, engineers, managers, cleaners – many more who who work in the music industry – have shown their support and will continue to do so with this ‘Red Alert Day of Action’.

Check out #WeMakeEventMCR marching for #WeMakeEvents! Now it’s up to the rest of the UK to make a statement! #Manchester https://t.co/bayoayFpjX

— PLASA (@PlasaOnline) August 11, 2020

‘Red Alert’ is another slogan created to raise awareness of the closure of venues and festivals, and the loss of both jobs and globally recognised culture. Venues honoured this by lighting up in red to show support, and to ask for financial help during this time. The marches are taking place in cities across the country, with links to register for any given event on PLASA’s website. Find the full list of cities below, with more details on their respective websites.

We are proudly lighting in red in support of #WeMakeEvents

THE LIVE EVENTS INDUSTRY IS NOW AT RED ALERT

Find out how to help support including signing your name here:https://t.co/1CscvhVFCf pic.twitter.com/zfA0Gjzf7P

— The SSE Arena, Wembley (@ssearena) August 11, 2020

Alongside this, PLASA asks that the music industry be supported by the Government through grants (not loans) which would be made available to businesses in the supply chain; the furlough scheme to be extended until the industry is up and running again safely; finally, an extension of the self-employment scheme for all the freelance workers who have lost all work.

Manchester band Blossoms asked fans for help via a video posted to Twitter, in which they explained that their  2020 tour was cut short, and their production suppliers are facing loss of work, and therefore payment. Furthermore, venues are being forced to close as they are no longer receiving business – action must be taken now so that “there will be a music industry to go back to.” Other artists to speak out include Mani, bassist for The Stone Roses, New Order, Nial Rogers, The Courteneers, and King Crimson.

#WeMakeEvents pic.twitter.com/oCRvWJqjbQ — B L O S S O M S (@BlossomsBand) August 11, 2020

Below is Frank Turner’s blog post about his own socially distanced gig, in which he concluded, “This is not the start of a series of shows like this – that’d bankrupt everyone involved.” He did, on the other hand, continue, “But it was, as I say, a gesture of cooperation, an attempt to feel out the situation with an eye to taking steps in a better direction.” Turner admitted that he had really missed playing live to an audience, and said that “It turns out, live music really, really matters.”

A blog post about last night’s show:https://t.co/hrc7q9ILC4

(pic by @CorinneDinDin) pic.twitter.com/nXiMOu6mtU

— Frank Turner (@frankturner) July 29, 2020

With the new rules that come into force on the 8th of August, it seems as though face masks would be enforced if the venues were to open anyway. This would be in the best interests of all those involved in the opening.

It may seem to some as though this is a slight step back but it is a necessary one. From the trials that have taken place, it does seem as though the socially distanced gigs have not quite gone the way they would have hoped them to. Frank Turner recently held a live, socially distanced gig at the Clapham Grand, which was marked as a failure by venue manager Ally Wolf. “It can’t be the future for live music, it can’t be the future for venues”, he said.

Recently, there has been a rise in live-streamed gigs. This could mark the future for gigs during lockdown as they have gone down a treat with those who have taken part in them. This will at least give fans something to watch and venues and artists money coming in.

Neil spoke to Music Week about the urgency of protecting them, saying, “If venues disappear, we’re losing a generation, if not more, of talent.” He continued, “The music that comes from this small island is, across the board, astounding. There’s generations of kids that are going to lose opportunities from study to job opportunities, we cannot fucking rip the culture away from them as well. All they have is this expression.”

Neil, like so many bands and artists, began his career playing in small music venues with Biffy Clyro, and is not only saddened, but angry to think that future musicians could be deprived of that opportunity. There is also something to be said about the cultural effects of this; “One of the few things to admire about our country is the culture and most of these fuckers in the government won’t have been to a gig or a show ever.”

Biffy Clyro are on the cover of this week’s @MusicWeek magazine – read the full interview here: https://t.co/ReWERnovPX pic.twitter.com/Oi2oe3vqKl

— Biffy Clyro (@BiffyClyro) July 23, 2020

While the government finally announced that they would be putting £1.57 billion into all arts industries, this offer comes too late for many. However, thanks to the charity of owners and artists, some have struggled through. Just yesterday, it was announced that Manchester venues Gorilla and The Deaf Institute have been saved from closure.

Numerous other artists have also spoken out about this issue – most recently, James Bay and Mumford & Sons’ Ben Lovett discussed it via video chat and offered fans links to donate to #SaveOurVenues.

Biffy Clyro is made up of members Simon Neil (guitar and lead vocals), James Johnston (bass), and Ben Johnston (drums). The band has released numerous albums, with four reaching the top 5 in the UK Albums Chart and one album, ‘Opposites’, claiming number 1. Formed in 1995, they are currently signed to 14th Floor Records and have headlined many big UK Festivals including Reading & Leeds in 2013. Biffy Clyro have won four NME Awards and received nominations for two Brit Awards. Their hit song ‘Many of Horror’ was covered by X Factor winner Matt Cardle in 2010, gaining it much success.

The band’s new album ‘A Celebration Of Endings’ will be released on 14th August and they are planning to tour later this year, depending on Covid-19 safety advice. Check out the full dates below and find tickets on their website.

25/09/2020 – P&J Arena – Aberdeen, UK
26/09 – The SSE Hydro – Glasgow, UK
27/09 – Motorpoint Arena – Nottingham, UK
29/09 – Utilita Arena – Newcastle, UK
30/09 – Utilita Arena – Birmingham, UK
01/10 – O2 Arena – London, UK
03/10 – Manchester Arena – Manchester, UK
04/10 – First Direct Arena – Leeds, UK}
06/10 – SSE Arena – Belfast, UK
07/10 – 3Arena – Dublin, Ireland
09/10 – Motorpoint Arena – Cardiff, UK
11/10 – BIC – Bournemouth, UK

Since the spread of Covid-19 called for social distancing and isolation measures around not only the country, but the world, the arts industries have suffered, with many grassroots venues closing permanently. As musicians themselves, Lovett and Bay feel passionately about this issue, but they also worry about their teams who might not be as well off, and other artists, such as new aspiring acts.

On this topic, they reminisced about their early careers, which both began as so many do, playing in small music venues. Lovett described this, saying it’s “a place to build up a bit of a fan base but it’s also a place to make mistakes.”

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Caught up with Ben Lovett of @mumfordandsons, @communionmusic and @omearalondon to discuss the current music venue crisis we’re facing. Hopefully this helps to give you a bit of insight into the effects of Covid-19 on the music industry. If you want to help, you can watch my free online gig from Omeara a few nights ago and donate to Save Our Venues! x

A post shared by James Bay (@jamesbaymusic) on Jul 19, 2020 at 12:52pm PDT

After expressing the urgency of supporting music venues, the pair looked at how to remain positive during this time, and what artists and fans can do to help. Bay recently performed a solo show at Omeara which followers watched via livestream, and he explained that although it feels strange playing without an audience, it’s important for venues to have the business. Although Bay’s gig was free to watch, and is still available on his YouTube channel, he is donating all the income from the video to the #SaveOurVenues campaign. So far, over £4k has been raised.

Taking place on 16th July, the singer played his famous hits along with new single ‘Chew On My Heart’, and included a message to viewers in the description box of the video. He wrote, “We must never live in a world where live music venues don’t exist. They are as important for the artist as they are for the countless visitors and of course the dedicated staff that devote themselves to running those rooms like clockwork.”

Fans are encouraged to watch the video back, and to donate to the campaign themselves, or to Lovett’s Crowdfunder page which was set up in May to fund the workers at Omeara and prevent its closure. Furthermore, Lovett opened his new venue, Lafayette, in February, which the campaign will also support.

Despite the worry that both Bay and Lovett are feeling, they did bring up a hopeful element in their video chat, with Lovett saying, “I think hope is important and we’ve been through a lot as human beings, and through everything music has come through the other side of it.”