The BIG 200 Mile PLASA Commute
More recently, Stagehands work has extended to helping individual PSA members train in Mental Health First Aid.
Donations come in many different ways, some fun (we're thinking DiGiCo Quiz), others challenging.
This is why, during conversations at TPi's office about the PLASA show and how people were getting there, Editor Stewart Hume and PSA GM Andy Lenthall decided to ride there, on bikes, from TPi's offices, in Stockport...200 Miles.
Of course, they're not doing it for free. They'd like the industry to collectively contribute £3000 for the discomfort, those contributions going towards the work of Stagehand as well as our friends at Backup, who are also riding a 100 mile route from Wiltshire.
UK Music issues guidance in the event of a no-deal Brexit
UK Music has issued guidance on the areas that could impact the music industry in the event of a no-deal Brexit.
The advice is aimed at helping those in the music industry prepare for Britain’s departure from the EU if the Government does not reach a deal.
It comes amid warnings from new Prime Minister Boris Johnson that the UK will leave the EU on October 31 whatever happens with the UK/EU negotiations.
Read the advice here: https://www.ukmusic.org/policy/brexit/uk-music-guidance-in-the-event-of-a-no-deal-brexit
London sees rise in grassroots music venues
The number of London’s grassroots music venues has risen in the last year after a nearly a decade of decline, the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has revealed.
Between 2007 – 2016, the number of grassroots music venues in the capital fell by a third, from 144 to 94. Following two years of stability, figures released today show that in the last year the number meeting the Music Venue Trust’s definition has risen by six per cent – from 94 to 100.
In the last year, eight venues have closed and one stopped offering live music, but a total of 15 venues – including three that have newly opened – are now grassroots music venues.
It comes after the Mayor revealed earlier this month that the number of LGBTQ+ venues in London has remained stable for a second year running.
London is the home of the UK music industry, which contributes £4.4 billion to the UK economy and sustains 142,000 jobs, and Sadiq has pledged to do all he can to support the grassroots venues, which are under pressure from development, rising rents and business rates.
That’s why the Mayor’s Cultural Infrastructure Plan introduced tough new planning rules to protect venues in the draft London Plan, created an innovative Culture at Risk Office that has helped support nearly 200 night-time spaces at risk of closure, mapped the capital’s music facilities, and helped to establish the Safer Sounds Partnership to assist organisers in putting on live music events.
Today, further support is being offered to the industry with the release of two new guides on how to open and run grassroots music venues. The guides, which have received funding by the Mayor, have been compiled by the Music Venue Trust, in partnership with Ticketmaster, to provide practical and straightforward guidance to support venues.
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “London is renowned across the globe for the quality of our music industry, yet for too long we’ve seen the number of grassroots music venues in London fall dramatically. These venues are vital if we are to continue developing acts whose songs are played around the world and to support those who love enjoying music in their local community. That’s why I’m working so hard to support these venues in the face of rising rents, rates and development, and why I’m encouraged to see the number of venues hosting grassroots music grow this year.”
Read More at: https://www.london.gov.uk/press-releases/mayoral/london-sees-rise-in-grassroots-music-venues
The Revised UK Good Practice Guide to Working in Safety Advisory Groups
Bev Griffiths, one of our capability leaders, has been working with leading trainer, safety advisor and national subject-matter expert, Vanessa Mawer, to bring this practical guidance right up to date.
Today we launch the publication of the revised UK Guide to Working in Safety Advisory Groups. First published in 2015, the guide has been extensively updated to reflect current risks and challenges in the events industry.
Commenting on the guidance, Bev says; "Balancing today's risks with diminishing resources, never has it been more important for all types and size of events to engage and be supported by a Safety Advisory Group.
There's pressure to deliver 'best in show' events, using ever more complex technologies, incorporating increased risk-taking activities and competing for the most impressive and biggest wow factor. We simply can't emphasis enough how vital it is for event organisers and those involved in staging events to work closely in partnership with local authorities and the emergency services to address all the security and safety risks that could so easily derail and cause major disruption. Take a look at this new guidance - it could really make the difference between and enjoyable success or mitigated disaster. You'll be glad you did."
And don't just take our word for it
The new guidance has the backing from the industry:
"I welcome the publication of this guidance by the Emergency Planning College (EPC). Safety Advisory Groups are critical in assuring that public safety issues are central to the work of the events industry. They have an excellent track record and I have every confidence that the guidance contained here is a strong foundation for future practice. The fact that the Emergency Planning College has worked closely with partners in the entertainment and events industry and in government reflects its commitment to be at the heart of the public safety and resilience community, encouraging debate and reflection where it is needed, and leading the way for practitioners and policy makers in establishing and promoting good practice. I commend it to you and thank my colleagues at the Emergency Planning College for bringing it to you."
Dr Campbell McCafferty, Director, Civil Contingencies Secretariat, Cabinet Office
"It is important that everyone involved in delivering spectator events understands the roles, responsibilities and liabilities. I hope you will find this guide interesting and useful, and wish you every success in the delivery of safe, secure and enjoyable events.
Ruth Shaw, Chief Executive, Sports Grounds Safety Authority
"The College of Policing is pleased to endorse the content of this, the first piece of national guidance on Safety Advisory Groups.
Clive Brooks, Head of Joint Operations, The College of Policing
"I believe this excellent guidance will bring about changes that will lead to consistently positive and beneficial experiences for organisers and safer events for everybody. It has my full support."
Andy Grove, Chair, Local Authority Events Organisers’ Group (LAEOG)
"We are delighted that the Emergency Planning College consulted widely with the industry to produce this guidance which we believe will be of benefit not only to the users but also to the wider events industry."
Steve Heap, General Secretary, Association of Festival Organisers
You can find the guides here at: https://www.epcresilience.com/media/it-s-here-national-guidance-the-revised-uk-good/
Books Launched to Help Create and Sustain Grassroots Music Venues
Music Venue Trust has been working for some time on resources which bring together 5 years of learning, networking and good practice across the grassroots music venue sector. We wanted to help aspiring venue managers open new venues but also realised that reviewing working practices in existing venues or asking experienced venues to look again at the way they run could be beneficial. Therefore, we have created a pair of books: How to Open a Grassroots Music Venue and How to Run a Grassroots Music Venue. Some of the chapters are very similar and the Guidance section is the same in each book, but the tone and emphasis of the two books differs and there are fantastic interviews and photos in both. We see them as a pair but which you might read depends on who you are and what your interest is. We hope you find one or both of them useful.
Music Venue Trust, the charity which protects, secures and improves Grassroots Music Venues, has launched two open source books to offer practical advice to the sector. In partnership with The Mayor of London and Ticketmaster, MVT commissioned writer David Pollock and photographer Jannica Honey to bring together 2 fully illustrated manuals: How to Open a Grassroots Music Venue and How to Run a Grassroots Music Venue. These books are available as downloadable PDFs from both the MVT website (musicvenuetrust.com) and from the Mayor of London’s website.
Each book contains 15 chapters of information, gathered from the experience of our venues network and the past 5 years of MVT’s work. Areas covered include vital topics such as licensing, company structure, what facilities need to be provided and ideas for diversifying what they offer. This guidance is supported by interviews with some of the people who run the UK’s Grassroots Music Venues, to bring the text further to life and share stories of successes as well as some cautionary tales. A comprehensive Guidance section at the back of the books is complemented by cross-referencing with online resources on the MVT website (musicvenuetrust.com/resources) to complete the package. These online resources will be regularly updated to keep the manuals relevant.
To explain why creating these books was important Mark Davyd, CEO, Music Venue Trust said: “When I was 17, I put on my first gig and over the next ten years I met lots of other like-minded people who wanted to do the same. Eventually, after five years of trying, we got together and opened our own venue. Nobody ever gave us advice, and we must have made every mistake possible. Most people I know in the grassroots music sector have a similar story, which is why we wanted to publish these guides. We want these books to inspire people to join us and open their own venues and the message is simple: you can build a stage the band doesn’t fall through, you can get a licence that doesn’t prevent you from opening on a Wednesday, and you can avoid having to rebuild the venue from scratch, only this time with enough doors”.
Amy Lamé - Night Czar, Mayor of London added: “London’s diverse music scene is driven by its grassroots music venues. They provide a vital platform for musicians to hone their craft, play an important part of our musical heritage and help maintain London’s position as a global culture capital. There’s no doubt that challenges exist with rising rents and business rates, but the Mayor and I are committed to doing everything we can to protect these vital cultural assets. I’m delighted that we have partnered with MVT in their work and have no doubt these books will become the go-to-guides for venue owners for years to come.”
Andrew Parsons, Managing Director of Ticketmaster UK, said: “Developing the next generation of talent is hugely important to us, grassroots music venues are an essential part of an artist’s career and a vital cog in the music industry machine. We have worked with MVT since 2015 and know the struggles that these venues face. These guides are another important step to keep music playing in grassroots venues across the UK.”
MVT patron Rou Reynolds of Enter Shikari said: “Grassroots Music Venues are vital spaces for musicians, music fans and communities in general. It’s been a tough time for venues up and down the country over the past few years and there’s been no government support. It’s great that MVT has launched these new books, sharing the knowledge and experience of those who run the venues that are surviving and shining a spotlight on the touring circuit. I think it could help encourage the opening of new venues and support networks.”
A limited print run of How to Open a Grassroots Music Venue and How to Run a Grassroots Music Venue has been produced but the books are available to all in PDF format. Music Venue Trust is looking into the possibility of further development of these guides. If you are interested in possible involvement, please contact us at info@musicvenuetrust.com
UK music community makes historic declaration of climate and ecological emergency.
UK music community makes historic declaration of climate and ecological
emergency.
Universal Music UK, AIM, Sony Music UK, Warner Music UK, Beggars Group, Radiohead, Festival Republic, Opera North, Warner Chappell Music UK, Beth Orton, SJM Concerts,Imelda May, Coda Agency, Crosstown Concerts, Domino, Bonobo, Abbey Road Studios, Nadine Shah, Warp, The BRIT School, Music Venue Trust and hundreds of other artists and businesses amongst initial signatories.
The UK music industry declares a Climate and Ecological Emergency. The declaration has been administered by the newly formed Music Declares Emergency group, an independent organisation created by music business professionals and artists. It represents a significant moment in the music community’s collective response to the climate emergency as Alison
Tickell , MD Of Julie’s Bicycle, a member of the MDE working group, explains:
“It has never been more important to understand the gravity of the climate crisis and to do more.
Music Declares Emergency was created to enable the UK music industry to declare a Climate and Ecological Emergency, to accelerate collaboration and ambition in order to meet critical targets and to call on government to use their policy and investment tools to help us to
reach those goals.’‘
The declaration states:
● We call on governments and media institutions to tell the truth about the climate and ecological emergency.
● We call on governments to act now to reverse biodiversity loss and reach net zero greenhouse gas emissions by no later than 2030.
● We recognise that the emergency has arisen from global injustices and will work towards systemic change to protect life on Earth.
● We acknowledge the environmental impact of music industry practices and commit to taking urgent action.
We will:
● Jointly support one another, sharing expertise as a collective industry and community.
● Speak up and out about the climate and ecological emergency.
● Work towards making our businesses ecologically sustainable and regenerative.
Signatures on the declaration represent the entire spectrum of the UK music community. It encompasses major labels, leading independents, prominent organisations within the live music community, major names in the classical, jazz and folk sectors, artists from all genres, artist managers and individual music professionals.
For a current list of all signatories please visit: www.musicdeclares.net .
Mike Smith, Managing Director of Warner Chappell Music UK, said
“It’s vital that we back this campaign. The threat from climate change is real and we all need to play our part in combating it. Music may not have the impact of some other industries, but we can still do more to reduce our own carbon footprint and use our platform to spread the message that action needs to be taken.”
Paul Pacifico, CEO of AIM, said
"There is no doubt that we are facing a global climate emergency, the effects of which are becoming ever clearer in our daily lives. It is crucial that we do everything we can to change our own behaviours and the behaviours of the world’s biggest corporations, and that we influence governments in order to secure a positive future for our planet.”
Fay Milton, drummer with Savages and member of the MDE working group said
“As I sat at a music festival in the desert, watching Extinction Rebellion’s action unfold so beautifully in London, I realised that something had to change. It seemed like the music world had lost touch with reality, partying like there’s no tomorrow, when ‘no tomorrow’ has become the forecast. On realising I wasn’t alone with these thoughts, Music Declares Emergency was born. The momentum of support has been huge and making a declaration is just the first step to creating real change. We face a climate and ecological emergency and the only proportionate response is to act boldly and act now.”
Tony Wadsworth, Chair, Julie's Bicycle and Senior Music Executive said
“The consequences of inaction on climate change are increasingly evident and alarming. The UK music industry can do two things: reduce our environmental impacts, and amplify our voices. Music Declares Emergency brings the entire community together to do just this.”
Organisations and individuals within the music industry can sign the declaration at
www.musicdeclares.net .
Media contact – pr@musicdeclares.net
Artist contact – artists@musicdeclares.net
Business contact – industry@musicdeclares.net
About Music Declares Emergency:
Music Declares Emergency is an independent group created by music business professionals and artists concerned at the lack of a cohesive, industry wide response to the climate emergency. It believes that the music community can drive forward public understanding and pressure government to take immediate action on climate and biodiversity loss. MDE aims to facilitate industry wide
conversations to harness the collective cultural and economic power of the music business to achieve a net zero greenhouse gas emissions future for the music industry.
Music Is Not Noise - White Paper launched in response to WHO Report.
A White Paper entitled Music is Not Noise has been created by associations of live music, including the UK's Music Venue Trust, across Europe in response to the World Health Organisation (WHO) October 2018 report “Environmental Noise Guidelines for the European Region”. A report that the collective associations believe went significantly beyond the requested scope (transportation noise sources, personal electronic devices, toys and wind turbines), and undertook also to study a concept they labelled “Leisure Noise”, in which they included “nightclubs… concerts or live music venues”. The White Paper, brought together by Live DMA, argues that this categorisation of music as noise is incorrect and that the report has potentially serious implications for the live music industry at all levels if it is not challenged. In the UK, the Music Venue Trust is distributing the White Paper to local authorities and is encouraging all stakeholders to do the same.
For more and to download the white paper CLICK HERE
Mental Health First Aid England publishes its first impact report.
For a good while we've been encouraging individual and company members to consider Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training as part of our drive to improve our sector's approach to mental health. Through our friends at Stagehand, the PSA Welfare and Benevolent Fund, we've been offering 50% funding for individual members to become Mental Health First Aiders. Today, MHFA England has produced its first impact report, highlighting its work and the impact that MHFA training has had for those companies that embrace it.
For further information about funding for individal members, contact the PSA.
The first speakers for AIF Festival congress 2019 have been announced!
What: AIF Festival Congress. Two day conference and Independent Festival Awards.
Where: Sheffield at the Abbeydale Picture House
When: 6th and 7th November 2019.
The theme of this year’s Festival Congress is ‘Utopia And Dystopia’.
The first confirmed speakers include Bing Jones of socio-political campaigning group Extinction Rebellion, and Rock ‘n’ Roll cultural historian Dr. Jen Otter Bickerdike.
Get your tickets along with more information at: https://aiforg.com/festivalcongress/
Government Launches Tourism Sector Deal
As business events for a big part of our members' activities, we're pleased to see that DCMS has launched the Government's Tourism Sector Deal on 28th June 2019, a deal that recognises the importance of maintaining a healthy Business Events sector.
Michael Hirst, Chair of the Business Visits and Events Partnership, of which PSA is a partner, commented: “The Events Industry Board and the Business Visits and Events Partnership welcome the announcement of a Tourism Sector Deal. We are delighted that business events future so prominently in the Deal with the supplementary publication of an International Business Events Action Plan. This is a very positive endorsement of the importance of the sector to showcase the UK key economic sectors, grow trade, exports and inward investment. It will also generate additional international business visitors and improve productivity through the utilisation of capacity across the UK. The opportunity to increase skills and attract talent is strongly featured in the Deal as we move to a more competitive landscape.. The UK has always been a world-class destination for business events. Now there’s a greater opportunity to attract and grow more international events throughout Britain”.
A link to the document itself can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/tourism-sector-deal
A link to the International Business Events Action Plan can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/international-business-events-action-plan
Revised Visa Code Adopted by European Council in June
On June 6th The EC Justice and Home Affairs Council adopted a revised Visa Code. The changes include improvements to the visa procedures for legitimate travellers. The new regulation also aims to tackle illegal migration, by the introduction of readmission conditions. Legitimate travellers will now benefit from faster and clearer procedures, such as:
- possibility to lodge applications up to 6 months, and no later than 15 days, before the trip;
- option to fill in the application form online and signed electronically (provided the applicant has been taken biometric information before);
- a harmonised approach to the issuing of multiple entry visas to regular travellers with a positive visa history for a period which increases gradually from 1 to 5 years.
Having been unchanged for many years, the EU decided and agreed for the costs of a visa to increase from 60 to 80 EUROS.
The new rules do not make any changes to the rule that the visit of third-country nationals is limited to a 90 day stay in the Member States in a period of 180 days. This remains an obstacle for touring artists and cultural professionals whether they require a visa or are visa-exempt third country nationals. Pearle*, the European association of employers in the arts, continues to advocate for a change of this limitation.
Music Venue Trust celebrates 5 years!
This week Music Venue Trust celebrates its first 5 years as the charity which works to protect, secure and improve the UK’s grassroots music venues. An event, titled 5/50/500 took place on 18 June, hosted by long-term MVT supporters Ticketmaster, and brought together companies and organisations which support MVT’s work, as well as venue representatives and artists. When the celebration was conceived it was to mark 5 years, 50 patrons and 500 venues which have joined the Music Venues Alliance, on whose behalf MVT works. In the last few months, particularly since the announcement of the first commitments to funding for venues from the Pipeline Investment Fund initiative and the launch of Arts Council England’s Supporting Grassroots Live Music grant funding scheme, membership of the Music Venues Alliance has grown to 547 venues and we have welcomed three new patrons: musician Bernard Butler and broadcasters Abbie McCarthy and Sarah Gosling.
Bernard Butler said: “I am honoured to be a Patron of the Music Venue Trust. Every musician’s primal instinct is to perform, and those baby steps require a nurturing environment in which to blossom. Music venues around the world from the local church hall to the stadium play an invaluable role in the creative process, allowing an artist’s confidence, technique and craft to flourish. But it does not stop there. Every artist will return to venues of size and location continually throughout their lives, renewing bonds with loyal fans as well as forging new creative avenues. Many of us return with great affection to stages we have trodden many times before, often encountering the same dedicated promoters and sound engineers, often combined into several passionate roles. We sigh at the loss of a venue not through nostalgia or sentimentality, but for the missed opportunities for ourselves as well as future generations. Protecting the network of grassroots venues is to secure livelihoods, access to the arts and to art itself.” .
Abbie McCarthy, from BBC Music Introducing, Kent said: “One of my favourite things to do is go to a gig – that amazing, excitable atmosphere, getting to hear the songs you’re obsessed with performed live, feeling a connection in that moment with your favourite artists, sometimes discovering exciting new acts and meeting fellow music fans. It’s such a buzz and that’s why since I went to my first gig aged 12, there’s not a week that goes by where I’m not at a live show.
Many of the best shows I’ve been to have been in tiny independent venues around the country. It’s the most special feeling when you’re watching an act with only a handful of other people & you can tell they’re going to go on to huge things, you know the magic memory of that intimate gig will stay with you forever. I started my Good Karma Club night to give new artists a platform to develop & learn their craft and we’ve had some incredible performances over the last few years. Without one of my favourite local venues, the Tunbridge Wells Forum, the likes of Slaves, Everything Everything & Frank Turner would not have grown to be some of the best live performers on the planet. Socially, culturally, creatively, venues are crucial, we must protect them at all costs!”
Sarah Gosling, of BBC Music Introducing, Devon & Cornwall said: “Grassroots venues are where I've solidified friendships, developed my passion for discovering soul-shakingly great new music, and had some of the most memorable and defining experiences of my life. The first piece of music journalism I ever wrote focused on the importance of small town venues supporting new music, and it's been the central core of every piece of broadcasting I've done since then. Without them I wouldn't have the incredible job I do today, the unsigned musicians I work with would be left without audiences to hone their craft with, communities would lose their beating, jumping, dancing heart, and the world would lose its technicolour. Yet despite this the most pivotal venues of my youth - and the early stages for all my favourite mid-size bands - are now closed. Only a handful remain in the South West, and they can't keep up with the demands for stage time made of them from musicians across the entire artistic spectrum. Like plants without room to grow, they become stunted, left with nowhere to develop and unfurl the leaves they didn't even know they had. We need a broad spread of music venues catering to all tastes, just as is commonplace with theatres and galleries. The music industry can't be expected to fend for itself any longer, and creative lives can't survive without these venues. That's why I'm incredibly proud to be a small cog working to protect them as part of the Music Venue Trust.”