Music

Government must recruit "an army of music teachers" to avert the risk of a lost generation of talent, leaders in the music industry have warned.

A manifesto published by UK Music ahead of the general election expected next year, calls on a new government to develop a comprehensive, medium- to long-term music strategy for growth.

In addition to investing millions in music education and boosting the number of teachers, it calls for controls in relation to the use of AI, action on the difficulties faced by artists touring in the European Union and the introduction of a tax credit to encourage new UK music production.

The manifesto also calls for an end to "rip-off" secondary ticketing practices.

UK Music’s Interim Chief Executive Tom Kiehl said: “We run a real risk of a lost generation of musical talent in the UK without urgent action to stem the decline in music education.

“The government must put music education front and centre by recruiting and training an army of new music teachers to give young people the chance to learn to play an instrument and the potential of a rewarding career doing something they love.

“Unless we invest in our young people and give them the opportunity of musical education, there will be an existential threat to the talent pipeline on which the music industry relies."

A music group arranged an anti-Brexit demonstration during the Last Night of the BBC Proms on Saturday (9 September).

The group in question, Thank EU For the Music, handed thousands of EU flags outside the Albert Hall on Saturday (9 September), which were waved by audience members throughout the evening, including during a performance of Rule Britannia.

An open letter shared on their Facebook page and addressed to BBC Director General Tim Davie said audience members took the European flags inside “in solidarity with musicians who feel (like countless others) the destructive impact of Britain's recent isolation from Europe”.

“We appreciate that the BBC strives to avoid controversy at all costs, but would gently point out that in doing so you might on occasion have chosen reticence rather than objectivity with regards editorial policy on Brexit matters,” the letter continues.

“I'm sure it cannot have escaped your attention that the artistic endeavours on stage now happen despite, not because of, the limitations that Britain's departure from the European Union have imposed on the creative industries.”

The display provoked backlash from Brexiters and Eurosceptics. Former Conservative MP Harvey Proctor led calls for an inquiry by the BBC.

“Disgraceful & misguided BBC messing up a British tradition; a political gesture which would make Sir Henry Wood turn in his grave. Utterly vulgar & wrong. Rule Britannia, not Rule EU!” he posted on Twitter/X.

A survey suggests that 82% of UK musicians impacted by Brexit have experienced a loss of earnings, with DJs and vocalists among the worst affected.

Commissioned by UK Music, the survey questioned 1,461 musicians, vocalists, composers, songwriters, lyricists, producers and DJs about the challenges they have faced since the UK left the EU more than three years ago. 

The results show that 30% of music creators have seen a change in their earnings during that period. Of those whose income had been impacted, 82% said their profits had decreased, while 18% said their incomes had improved post-Brexit. 

Nearly two-fifths of those hit by Brexit said it was no longer financially viable for them to tour EU nations. 

One of the biggest problems cited by artists affected by Brexit was securing visas and work permits, with 59% of respondents considering it a significant issue. 

Other barriers to touring in the EU cited by participants included administration costs (56%), transport costs (55%), shipping and logistics (54%), production costs (34%), carnets (32%), and cabotage (13%). 

UK Music Interim Chief Executive Tom Kiehl said, “Restrictions on visas, work permits, truck hire and merchandise sales along with excessive red tape are making touring simply unviable for many.

“The ability to tour internationally in the early stages of an artist’s career is crucial to their success and our sector’s ambition to grow British music exports amid fierce global competition. 

“We need the Government to make it a priority to secure a Cultural Touring Agreement with the EU to remove these barriers.”

Sheffield's live music venue, The Leadmill, has launched a campaign to save it from closure that has resulted in more than 5,000 supporters emailing Tom Hunt, the new leader of Sheffield City Council.

Hunt, who has been in post less than three months, has yet to publicly express an opinion about the 'hostile' takeover of The Leadmill, 

The Leadmill's campaign - dubbed ‘Battle for the Soul of Sheffield’ - is calling on Hunt to back its bid to save the historic venue and has asked supporters to lobby him via email or postcard or by using the #TellTom hashtag on Twitter/X.

“This isn’t just about The Leadmill,” a spokesperson from the venue said. “Everything that’s made our city what it is today is at stake. 

“It may start with us, but it goes much further than that. If we don’t stop this hostile takeover, the very soul and character of our great city is at risk.”

The spokesperson said that the venue’s 80 staff members were “all so tired of the ongoing situation”, adding that “time and energy is being spent on trying to retain our jobs and The Leadmill”.
 
Hunt “of all people, should know that this hostile takeover risks fundamentally and forever changing the course of our city, heritage, and culture”, the person said.

The BBC has confirmed the sale of its Maida Vale recording studios.

The studios have been sold to a partnership between Tim Bevan & Eric Fellner and Hans Zimmer & Steven Kofsky.

According to a statement released by the broadcaster, the purchasers have agreed “Maida Vale’s legacy as a centre for pioneering music-making will continue, with plans to keep the original façade of the building and to preserve the ethos of Maida Vale”.

Initial plans state the building will remain as a studio space, with a multi-million pound refurbishment plan for its existing studios. 

There will also be the creation of a not-for-profit educational facility, and a long-term commitment to providing local jobs, innovation and investment.

The sale of the studios, which have been owned by the BBC since 1933, has been on the cards since 2018 when the BBC announced intention to move its music studios and performing groups to a purpose-built recording and studio space within the East Bank cultural quarter in Stratford that is scheduled to open in 2025.

“We look forward to being able to continue to deliver world-class music to BBC audiences with our new tailor-made BBC Music Studios in the wonderfully rich cultural district of London’s East Bank,” said Lorna Clarke, Director of Music at the BBC.

Commenting on the Maida Vale sale, Clarke added: “We are so pleased to secure a sale which looks to continue the bright, vibrant future of music making in this iconic building – not only providing new studio spaces but jobs and an education facility.”