
Some of the British 21st Century great musicians
By Reuters/NAN
Paul McCartney, Ed Sheeran and The Rolling Stones were among some 1,500 musicians who called on Thursday for the British government to help the live music business survive the coronavirus outbreak.
“The future for concerts and festivals and the hundreds of thousands of people who work in them looks bleak,” the musicians wrote in an open letter to British Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden.
“Until these businesses can operate again, which is likely to be 2021 at the earliest, government support will be crucial to prevent mass insolvencies and the end of this world-leading industry.”
The letter called for a clear timeline on when music venues could reopen, as well as support for businesses and jobs.
Dowden responded to the musicians in a tweet on Thursday saying he is “pushing hard for these dates & to give you a clear roadmap back”.
He said decisions on reopening of live music venues would be difficult as it relates to the future of social distancing.
Music venues, concerts and festivals – including the annual summer Glastonbury festival – were shuttered or cancelled in March when the COVID-19 pandemic took hold in the country.
Britain, whose death toll from pandemic is approaching 55,000, showed a Reuters tally of official data sources, is in the process of gradually reopening retail stores, schools and pubs.
The musicians in the letter said live music added 4.5 billion pounds ($5.6 billion) to the British economy and supported 210,000 jobs across the country in 2019.
The appeal was signed by musicians across genres and generations, including Rod Stewart, Eric Clapton, Bob Geldof, Coldplay, Sting and Dua Lipa, as well as producers and operators of concert halls and clubs.
Join The Conversation
You May Like
Latest
American Gospel singer, Duranice Pace dies at 62
Uganda election: Museveni extends lead over Bobi Wine
Avram Grant speaks on returning to Chelsea
Nollywood Actress Sotonye Dublin-Green dies of COVID-19
Bill Gates now biggest landowner in America
Beautiful New Lagos Airport Terminal ready [Photos]
Albert Okumagba buried in Warri
Biden releases plans to vaccinate 100 million Americans
ASUU begins indefinite strike in Plateau
Police AIG Yunana Babas dies two weeks to retirement
160 Almajirai rescued in Kaduna State
Bobi Wine’s home under siege by Uganda soldiers
EPL: Paul Scholes sends warning to Man United
Eligibility: Senator Abiru urges court to strike out PDP’s suit
COVID-19: Edo Schools won’t resume Jan. 18, new date announced
Video: James Brown calls out Bobrisky for threatening to kill him
Fake News: 18 Kano traders not abducted in Kogi – Police
Trump out, but achievements speak for him
Ogun schools resume January 18, govt. affirms
Nigeria sets new record, posts highest COVID-19 cases
Wike spreading COVID -19 in Rivers, 10 commissioners positive: APC claims