#LetTheMusicPlay calls for UK government to save live music industry

Over 1,500 artists sign a letter demanding immediate action to prevent damage to live music following the lockdown.

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Let The Music Play

Trending across social media today (2 July 2020) is the hashtag #LetTheMusicPlay, in an effort to pressure the UK government to act urgently in saving the live music industry in the wake of COVID-19.

Dizzee Rascal, Paul McCartney, Dua Lipa, The Rolling Stones and Coldcut are among the list of over 1,500 artists who have signed an open letter to the government for the #LetTheMusicPlay campaign. The letter will be delivered to Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden calling for support. Read some of the facts below.

UK Music, the organisation behind the movement, said in a statement that it is asking three things of the government:

“1. A clear conditional timeline for reopening venues without social distancing
2. An immediate comprehensive business and employment support package* and access to finance.
3. Full VAT exemption on ticket sales.”

In countries such as Germany and Australia, the government has lent a hand to the music industry through the pandemic. In the UK, however, the government is yet to offer up financial support for venues, concerts and festivals and the thousands of people who work in them.

To get involved in the movement, UK Music advises you to write to your local MP and ask them to call on Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak MP to support #LetTheMusicPlay. He will deliver a Summer Economic Update on 8 July, so it’s advised to write to your MP prior to this.

“Until these businesses can operate again”, UK Music says, “which is likely to be 2021 at the earliest, government support will be crucial to prevent mass insolvencies and the end of this world-leading industry” You can read the full letter here and the full list of names here.

See support from producers and artists below.

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