#LetTheMusicPlay - Little Mix, Dua Lipa & More Artists Call For UK Government Support As Live Music Industry On Brink Of Collapse

Credit: Twitter

The UK's most influential artists such as Little Mix, Dua Lipa, Sigala & more are backing an open letter to the government to "save" the UK's live music industry.

​UK based artists are worried the live music scene will "eventually collapse" due to the impact of Coronavirus, with gigs and festivals highly unlikely to make a return anytime soon.

Pop stars across the UK have signed an open letter calling for support due to fears thousands will loose their jobs who work in the UK live music industry.

There have already been “hundreds of redundancies” across venues.

The letter to Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden reads: “With no end to social distancing in sight or financial support from government yet agreed, the future for concerts and festivals and the hundreds of thousands of people who work in them looks bleak."

The campaign asks three pointers from the government:
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- A clear conditional timeline for reopening venues without social distancing
- An immediate comprehensive business and employment support package
- Full VAT exemption on ticket sales.

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This was one of our last shows on LM5: The Tour. This was such an incredible night and would not have been possible without everyone working so hard behind the scenes. Due to coronavirus, the live industry is on the verge of collapse, with people losing their jobs and festivals and venues being at risk of closing. It’s time for the government to step up and save the industry #LetTheMusicPlay

A post shared by Little Mix (@littlemix) on Jul 2, 2020 at 3:01am PDT

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#LetTheMusicPlay - an initiative to help the live music industry and all the people within it â–¡ Post a pic of the last gig you went to using the # in support of everyone making these moments possible. This was one of mine back in February at the legendary @rockcitynottingham â–¡

A post shared by Sigala (@sigalamusic) on Jul 2, 2020 at 9:50am PDT

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I miss this so much! I'm so grateful for the opportunities I've been given. Now it's time to pay back to the incredible people who make up the UK music industry including all the crew who work so hard behind the scenes. From the very start of my own career, playing live concerts up and down the country has been a cornerstone for my own career. I am proud to have had the chance to play through all the levels…small clubs, then theatres and ballrooms and into arenas, and of course festivals in between each touring cycle. But the possibility for other emerging British artists to take the same path is in danger and the livelihoods of those who work behind the scenes are at risk. The industry urgently needs Govt support in the interim period before all the various venues, festivals & promoters are ready and able to operate independently again. #LetTheMusicPlay

A post shared by DUA LIPA (@dualipa) on Jul 2, 2020 at 6:31am PDT

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So today I’m joining other artists and fans in the UK to bring attention to live music. God I miss it! The live music industry is still on pause with thousands of jobs and venues at risk long term. I’ve been able to build my career playing live from clubs, to theatres, to halls, to arenas, festivals and stadiums. This is my last gig from 2019, 20,000 of you lovely lot at the Kingsholm Stadium. What a night!! We all want these venues to be able to survive when it’s safe to go back to them. Post your last gig with #letthemusicplay

A post shared by Olly Murs (@ollymurs) on Jul 2, 2020 at 10:54am PDT

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We had the best time in #Spiceworld2019 but it wouldn't have been possible without our amazing band, dancers and incredible touring team #LetTheMusicPlay â–¡ - @timmsy & @lukedyson

A post shared by Spice Girls (@spicegirls) on Jul 2, 2020 at 8:43am PDT

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I’m so lucky to have this as my job, none of this would be possible without you guys and the incredible people behind the scenes that make it all possible. Live gigs and shows are at huge risk and without them these amazing teams are left without jobs. Today we call on the British government to offer their support. Festivals and live shows bring so much happiness to so many people including myself, we need save the jobs of these incredibly hardworking people behind the scenes #letthemusicplay

A post shared by @hrvy on Jul 2, 2020 at 5:59am PDT

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Playing shows is a huge part of what we do. We have been performing in one way or another on stage since we were children & live music has played a huge part in shaping who we are both individually and as Disclosure. Due to the current situation the future of the music industry is under threat. We are asking this government to help protect venues, festivals and the workforce now. Please, if you can help show your support alongside us, use the hashtag #LetTheMusicPlay

A post shared by Disclosure (@disclosure) on Jul 2, 2020 at 6:59am PDT

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This was an amazing moment captured during my last show in Manchester earlier this year... it feels so long ago now. For so many of us in this industry, playing live is what we live for and how we see our music connect. None of this would happen without the thousands of people working in venues around the country, for countless hours, making the live music experience possible for you and me. Let’s share our memories and experiences and let them know how much it means to us all #LetTheMusicPlay □

A post shared by Jonas Blue (@jonasblue) on Jul 2, 2020 at 9:36am PDT