UK public wary of live music as industry calls for £50m rescue package

A survey by the Music Venues Trust (MVT) of 28,640 members of the public found that while 89% of respondents said they were eager to return to gigs, they have mixed feelings about actually attending. The findings, announced first in the Guardian, come as MVT – whic represents 819 independent UK venues – has called for £50m to support them beyond the end of June, as the government prepares plans to allow them to reopen with social distancing. I understand how underthese guidelines you can open a Tesco, but we don’t have anyone singing, dancing or being close to each other in a Tesco.” The gig-goers who do feel ready to return will struggle to find venues to accommodate them. “Or we can do the sensible thing and accept that the scientific advice is that we shouldn’t be open and we can act accordingly: put in a financial package to keep venues closed and protected.” MVT has itself raised £2m in donations via the #saveourvenues campaign. The idea is that they will work together, in detail, to develop that roadmap, which is so badly needed,towards performing safely.” The classical music sector also targeted Dowden with an open letter this week, signed by representatives from the Musicians’ Union, BPI, PRS for Music and others, arguing: “Opening at 30% capacity under social distancing will not work without huge subsidy.” Some enterprising promoters are staging drive-in cultural events while traditional venues remain closed.