From Covid to Brexit to the cost of living crisis. The last few years have seen a devastating effect on the UK live music scene and its venues.
Record numbers of musicians left the industry according to bodies like the Musicians Union, The Help Musicians Org and The Music Venues Trust. Now the energy crisis has another new – and again troubling – knock on effect for the future and viability of live music.
Emilia Shovelin at This is Money writes: “Hospitality and leisure businesses are becoming increasingly worried about the energy price crisis, with as many a quarter of bosses thinking of shutting up shop in the next 12 months, a new survey shows.”
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So now, chillingly, the energy bills crisis means places usually offering live music will either temporarily close or vanish. This week the government is set to announce the details of its support for businesses – and it needs to hit the mark.
As far back as 2020 and in the face of the easing Covid regulations, the Concert Promoters Association reported the grassroots music venue sector had already seen revenues tumble by 75 per cent with many venues predicted to close or disappear forever, a prediction that tragically became a fact.
Now medium to small venues are reporting that energy costs are easily outstripping their monthly ticket income and it looks like many are considering closing until energy prices return to pre-crisis levels.
