LIVE calls on the Prime Minister to create a new safety net for summer shows

20.04.2021.

LIVE has written to the Prime Minster to formally propose that a portion of the remaining Culture Recovery Fund is used to create a contingency scheme in order to stimulate economic activity in the Summer and beyond.

The absence of commercial insurance for cancellation cover makes the prospect of any activity, but particularly that at large scale and cost, fraught with risk.

Dozens of festivals have already cancelled activity for this summer, such as Cornbury Music Festival, Download, Belladrum, Shambala, Bluedot & Glastonbury, and hundreds more will do so in the coming months if no cover is forthcoming. This issue is not confined to summer festivals – almost all live music activity of any scale becomes untenable if it can be cancelled at short notice with no financial protection.

LIVE believes there is no better or more efficient way to use CRF funds to drive money through the live music ecosystem – from artists and venues to technical staff and freelance crew – than to enable people to get people back to work.

The live music industry is ready to work with officials in Government and other bodies to get a straightforward scheme operational in time to capitalise on the NHS’ world-leading vaccine rollout.

Read the full letter to the PM here.