(City of
Durham) (Lab):...I have had huge enjoyment listening to some
of my favourite artists performing online gigs, such as KT
Tunstall, James and a special concert of Irish musicians in support of the
Irish stuck in Australia on temporary visas during this pandemic.
On top of that, Durham music service has been teaching songs and
how to play instruments to children across the county. I have even
signed up to its online ukulele sessions...
...While most music is about enjoyment and entertainment —a pastime
that sustains our lives—for many people, it is also their source of
income. Whether music is their main salary or a top-up to their
existing income, it is vital that, as MPs, we look to support
musicians artists, venues, technicians and roadies
in the coming months. Music is nothing without them, for in the
time it takes for society gradually to reopen, plenty of people
will be wondering whether they can survive as
musicians and artists in this environment, and
that will be a great loss.
The Government have provided some support to the arts, but it is
not enough just to inject some cash and allow unlimited shows to
resume. Too many artists will be left without an income. I am not
asking the Government to proceed recklessly, as if coronavirus
had never happened; I am asking them to do more for individual
artists. musicians and artists do not need
blanket support; they need tailored financial help that enables
them to survive this crisis. They need to be assured that a local
lockdown will not leave them out of pocket and that the lack of
physical gigs will not put an end to their careers altogether.
They need to know that they will be supported to be innovative.
Above all, they need to know that we, as a society, value their
cultural contribution.
Without help, we risk losing a generation of artists, and once
they are lost, it would be very difficult, if not impossible, to
get them back. The time to act is now. In the words of Tim Booth
from James to musicians and poets everywhere:
“Let’s inspire, let’s inflame, create dreams from our pain”.
Music has kept us going during this pandemic. Let us work
together to make sure it is still there when this is all over.
