UK Music have referred to as for pressing help to assist revive “our world-leading music trade” following the “catastrophic blow” the coronavirus pandemic has dealt the sector in 2020.
The organisation, who signify the collective pursuits of the nation’s music trade, made the plea as they revealed their annual Music By Numbers report at the moment (November 18), which reveals the financial contribution of the UK music enterprise to the British financial system.
The official figures within the report cowl the 12 months as much as December 31, 2019, so they don’t mirror the massive influence that the well being disaster has had on the music trade in 2020.
The report states that the UK music trade contributed £5.8 billion to the UK financial system in 2019 (up 11% from £5.2 billion in 2018) and that employment within the trade hit an all-time excessive of 197,168 — a rise of three% from 190,935 in 2018.
The overall export income of the music trade in 2019 was £2.9 billion – up 9% from £2.7 billion in 2018 — whereas it additionally notes that music tourism alone contributed £4.7 billion by way of spending.
British artists akin to Dua Lipa, Stormzy, Ed Sheeran, George Ezra, Lewis Capaldi, Mabel and Dave are among the many names credited with serving to the expansion of the UK’s music trade in 2019.
Dua Lipa (Image: Press)
The report notes, nonetheless, the “marathon effort” required to get the trade again on its toes following the “catastrophic blow” dealt by the coronavirus pandemic.
UK Music say that the next restrictions have “produced a domino impact” within the sector this 12 months, such because the shuttering of music venues throughout the nation which have caused a substantial loss of income for musicians, venue staff and touring crew.
UK Music estimates that as much as 85% of dwell music income has been misplaced since March, and that 65% of musicians’ income will be lost in 2020 — a determine that rises to 80% “for these most depending on dwell efficiency and recording studio work”.
“For these performers, many have seen their revenue scale back to zero since March,” the report provides. “Most music creators are self-employed. The trade depends very closely on freelancers and the self-employed, lots of whom have fallen by the cracks throughout 2020, not qualifying for the help that has been made accessible.
“The UK music trade is a commercially profitable sector that was rising earlier than the pandemic, and may develop once more. Music has at all times been a British success story and a nationwide asset, that delivers at dwelling and overseas. There isn’t a purpose why that can’t proceed, however that future will depend on us saving the music ecosystem that we’ve got and supporting particular person music creators and freelancers particularly throughout this vital interval.”
Minister for Digital and Tradition Caroline Dinenage, writing within the report’s introduction, mentioned that the UK music trade is “the envy of the world” and “a improbable abroad calling card for Britain”.
“Nonetheless, we all know what an immensely powerful 12 months 2020 has been for the music trade on account of Covid-19 which has offered important challenges for the sector,” she added.
“That’s the reason the Authorities stepped in with an unprecedented £1.57 billion Culture Recovery Fund to assist the sector climate the influence of coronavirus and defend music venues, festivals, and our very important cultural property.”
The group at Reside At Leeds 2018 (Image: Andrew Benge/Redferns)
Commenting on the report, UK Music Chief Government Jamie Njoku-Goodwin mentioned that it reveals “simply how profitable our trade was earlier than the catastrophic blow of Covid-19 knocked it down, and the way necessary it’s that we get it again on its toes”.
“When the time involves get better from this pandemic, our world-leading music trade generally is a key a part of our nation’s post-Covid financial and cultural revival – however we’d like the best help to get us there,” he mentioned.
“Our music trade is a key nationwide asset. As this report reveals, it contributes £5.8 billion a 12 months to the financial system, generates £2.9 billion in exports, and helps nearly 200,000 jobs. It boosts Britain’s standing on this planet, bringing a tender energy that few different industries can boast.
“This report reveals simply how useful our music trade is – and the way necessary it’s that we take motion to guard it. The UK music trade was a vibrant, fast-growing and commercially profitable sector earlier than the pandemic hit, and with the best help it may be once more.
Njoku-Goodwin added: “I’m satisfied we’ve got the individuals, the drive and dedication to fireside up our trade as soon as extra and turn out to be a key a part of our nation’s post-Covid-19 financial and cultural revival.”
Final week, the #SaveNightclubs campaign shared an open letter sent to UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson urging the government to step in and help save the nightclub industry throughout the pandemic.
