UK MUSIC DEMANDS CLARITY 

British lobbying body UK Music has called on the Government to set up a task-force to help revive the music industry as it battles the coronavirus pandemic. Chair Tom Watson has declared the latest lockdown guidelines from Prime Minister Boris Johnson as lacking “the clarity that the U.K. industry so desperately needs.”

The latest Government proposals detail a three-step plan for easing out of lockdown measures. Cultural and sporting events could be allowed to take place behind closed doors for broadcast at the beginning of June, while the reopening of the hospitality sector, including pubs and restaurants, could happen beginning in July as long as certain tests are met.

As of now, there’s no specific guidelines on when gigs and organized mass gatherings, such as festivals, could return.

UK Music is asking for a proposed date when the industry could consider reviving organized concerts, gigs and festivals. It also wants the range of support packages to be maintained in full while large parts of the industry cannot work, and clear protocols and guidance to ensure record stores and instrument shops can be in the first wave of shops in June to return.

Watson has urged the Government to work with the music industry “to ensure our businesses and events are COVID-19 secure” so companies can plan for the months ahead.

“These latest proposals on the easing of the coronavirus lockdown are missing the clarity that the U.K. music industry so desperately needs,” he said. “There is a risk the British music industry will be left behind as other countries come out of lockdown.

“It is vital that while we all work towards getting the live industry under way again and record stores reopened, that all the Government support packages are not cut back until we get back on our feet.”