Industry rallies behind We Make Events in call for government to support live sector
Some of the biggest names in the live music and events industry have taken to social media to show their support for the We Make Events campaign, which is lobbying government for urgent financial support in light of the devastating impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The likes of Radiohead, Noel Gallagher, Nadine Shah and many others have tweeted their support for the campaign, which is today (September 30) holding a day of action raise awareness of the live industry’s plight. A variety of socially-distanced gatherings are taking place across the globe, highlighting the precarious state of the sector, while thousands of international venues will be illuminated in red as part of the initiative.
You can find out what’s taking place near you at https://www.wemakeevents.com/global-action-day/
Launched earlier this year by trade organisation PLASA, #WeMakeEvents has become an independent entity run by a collective of industry trade bodies, including PLASA, businesses and freelancers. It held its first day of action on August 11, when over 715 venues and buildings across the UK were lit up in red to signal the urgency of the situation. In London, a boat illuminated in red travelled along the Thames, passing the Royal Festival Hall, the London Eye, the National Theatre and the Tate, which were all lit in red.
The live events business is a major contributor to the economy, with the creative sector generating more than £100 million every year. According to a 2019 UK Music report, the UK music industry contributed £5.2 billion to the UK economy in 2018, with the live music sector contributing £1.1 billion. The industry was also found to employ almost 200,000 people in the same year.
Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic earlier this year, the live events market has been devastated, with thousands of jobs affected following the cancellation of all gigs, festivals, theatre productions and trade shows. Touring crew, engineers and production staff – many of which are freelancers – have been without work for more than six months, with no sign of events returning until summer 2021 at the earliest. Numerous venues have also been forced to close, while artists and performers have had to cancel all tours and live appearances until further notice.
Without sufficient financial support from the government, the industry may be impacted to the point that it is unable to recover to its pre-pandemic heights. For more information on how to get involved with We Make Events and make the industry’s voice heard, visit https://www.wemakeevents.com.
Here’s what some of the industry’s biggest names, from artists, companies and MPs, having been saying on social media.
The #WemakeEvents Global Action Day is in full swing!
Below are just some of the amazing pictures from our industry colleagues in #NewZealand and #Australia.Follow the hashtag and be sure to posts photos from your region! More pics to come… #LightItInRed #StandasONE pic.twitter.com/6pYts2X8S5
— #WeMakeEvents Campaign (@WeMakeEventsoff) September 30, 2020
Today we are supporting the #WeMakeEvents campaign and calling on the UK Government to support and provide financial aid to protect the live music industry. Nothing can come close to that magic, freedom and connectivity the audience and us feel at our live shows. pic.twitter.com/QhtrTADJnL
— Years & Years (@yearsandyears) September 30, 2020
Tonight at 8pm we'll again be lighting our buildings red in support of today's global @WeMakeEventsoff #StandAsOne campaign
Please follow hashtag #WeMakeEvents and share today's powerful messages of support for the people who make live events happen pic.twitter.com/BNAbnh7AKR
— Sound Technology Pro (@soundtechpro) September 30, 2020
Martin Audio is proud to #WearRed in support of #WeMakeEvents Global Action Day, highlighting the urgent support the live events industry needs from national governments in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic. Find out how you can do your part here: https://t.co/0nAp7nIxRs pic.twitter.com/GgJreJrh5N
— Martin Audio Ltd (@MartinAudioLtd) September 30, 2020
We support the #WeMakeEvents campaign and the hundreds of thousands of people working in the live events sector who’s 'back to work’ date is next summer at best. https://t.co/RDDJLsBAlX@suggsgmcpherson @CBoyForeman @MikeBarson108 @I_be_MarkB @leethompsonska @woodymadness pic.twitter.com/ZpNMnzlTvo
— Madness (@MadnessNews) September 30, 2020
We join the global music community in highlighting the urgent support the live events sector needs from governments to survive the Covid-19 crisis.
More info: https://t.co/eIW7jMTJtl#WeMakeEvents pic.twitter.com/S3M1vYFBjP
— Mark Knopfler (@MarkKnopfler) September 30, 2020
We need to support the live music and events industry. Please get behind #WeMakeEvents' day of action on Wednesday. https://t.co/ZvXZf2g8jW pic.twitter.com/zjz5UMnTqa
— Emily Eavis (@emilyeavis) September 28, 2020
Today the events industry takes part in the @WeMakeEventsoff global day of action making itself heard in over 25 countries, asking governments to listen, and take action. We encourage everyone to take part. Together, we will get through this: https://t.co/hm7v1Ug9sk #WeMakeEvents pic.twitter.com/FnLS2nEWI4
— d&b audiotechnik (@dbaudiotechnik) September 30, 2020
We are proud to support the #WeMakeEvents campaign. So many lives have been devastated by the sudden stop to the live music industry. This is a forgotten industry that is desperate for help. Please support in any way you can. https://t.co/4e0iGO4lwQ pic.twitter.com/VxdWRYRNu8
— I D L E S (@idlesband) September 30, 2020
What we do onstage is only part of the equation of putting on a good show. Our crew are at the heart of making it happen for all of us, band and audience alike. They’re incredible and that’s why we’re supporting #WeMakeEvents and invite you to do so as well, if possible. CEJPT x pic.twitter.com/QD5AIrZ4Gu
— Radiohead (@radiohead) September 30, 2020
https://twitter.com/glastonbury/status/1311259420215726081
Pleased to join hundreds working in theatre & live events on the #PantoParade bringing their case for more support to Parliament
They’ve been hit hardest by Covid & abandoned by the Govt
Theatres & other creative venues need support now#WeMakeEvents @bectu @EquityUK pic.twitter.com/gfmoyA83yD
— Caroline Lucas (@CarolineLucas) September 30, 2020
The events industry, including theatre and live music, has been shut out of Rishi Sunak's jobs support scheme.
My constituents are worried that many grassroots venues will not survive this pandemic.
I'm supporting the #WeMakeEvents campaign to protect jobs and the arts. pic.twitter.com/87BT1V797Z
— Nadia Whittome MP (@NadiaWhittomeMP) September 30, 2020
#WeMakeEvents
The UK events sector looks unlikely to re-open until next summer at best… hundreds of thousands of people that work in the industry need gov support to survive the crisis.
To help raise awareness you can write, share, call or record. Info: https://t.co/2j0rcEvAW5 pic.twitter.com/xrAhHpZLKZ— Fatboy Slim (@FatboySlim) September 30, 2020
We need our government to recognise that immediate action must be taken to protect our events industry. No crew, no show, no joy. Howay. #wemakeevents pic.twitter.com/NgK3qs5QcC
— Nadine Shah (@nadineshah) September 30, 2020
Proud to support #WeMakeEvents today. https://t.co/OzdawLOI47 pic.twitter.com/lf6HPxPst6
— Frank Turner (@frankturner) September 30, 2020
The events industry is in crisis. Standing in solidarity with #WeMakeEvents campaign to call for urgent support for live events, which contribute to the fabric of society & billions to the economy. Find more on how you can help here → https://t.co/aBOukn0iJH pic.twitter.com/sacSSGg5sz
— Green Man (@GreenManFest) September 30, 2020
https://twitter.com/NoelGallagher/status/1311310585531969536
We're off! Taking part in the #PantoParade as part of the @WeMakeEventsoff Global Day Of Action. #FreelancersMakeTheatreWork#WeMakeEvents pic.twitter.com/OE0RjpNuV9
— Freelancers Make Theatre Work (@FreelancersMake) September 30, 2020
For decades, the music world and events industry have stepped up to play their part to support people around the world facing hardship – now they themselves are being left stranded. Entire elements of our culture face extinction if we can’t find a solution #WeMakeEvents pic.twitter.com/0li3xmwMCg
— Tim Burgess (@Tim_Burgess) September 30, 2020
Thinking about our fans & crew today…
We make events.
The live music industry must be saved before it is lost.
Make your voice heard now at https://t.co/25apZnlck4 x #wemakeevents @WeMakeEventsoff pic.twitter.com/5exuoGhqP1
— FOALS (@foals) September 30, 2020
elbow are proud to support #WeMakeEvents calling on the government to protect our live events industry. We need to ensure that these highly skilled men & women are supported until they can get back to doing what they do best. https://t.co/I1ghG0Qyfu#WeMakeEvents#elbowcrew pic.twitter.com/wNDO67ZNru
— elbow (@Elbow) September 30, 2020
https://twitter.com/SkunkAnansie/status/1311273164924690432
To highlight that the live events sector urgently needs support from governments to survive the Covid-19 crisis, today is the day of global action!
Find out more and get involved here:https://t.co/acAa13oXII @WeMakeEventsoff pic.twitter.com/57qup1IyQk
— Mel C / Melanie C (@MelanieCmusic) September 30, 2020
https://twitter.com/GlasgowKings/status/1311320047244259330
Today, the Bloodstock team stands with our friends & colleagues throughout the music industry to call on the government to provide urgent support to protect an industry which means so much to so many #WeMakeEvents https://t.co/n8z1yk8wzu pic.twitter.com/iVJlYZxrUT
— bloodstockfest (@BLOODSTOCKFEST) September 30, 2020
Hi guys. The live music events scene right now is unfortunately struggling greatly due to the worlds current pandemic and a lot of the people that we artists rely on to bring music to you guys need our help! Click the link below for more❤️#wemakeeventshttps://t.co/PWjFvwYtHe pic.twitter.com/fAHvWWPuYC
— Izzy Bizu (@IzzyBizu) September 30, 2020
https://twitter.com/OfficialBHAFC/status/1311214700139487233
https://twitter.com/TheLondonEye/status/1311312366555074560
Today we're standing with our friends and colleagues across the live industry and calling for urgent support for the incredible, skilled workforce who work tirelessly behind the scenes to make events happen.
Find out how you can support >>>https://t.co/d8Xq3ZJ0J3#WeMakeEvents pic.twitter.com/LpyKTaZwRH
— Roundhouse (@RoundhouseLDN) September 30, 2020