The King’s Speech: what’s coming up for live music?

This week’s King’s Speech saw the unveiling of the government’s legislative programme for the year ahead and marked the start of the new parliamentary session.

LIVE was heartened to see presented an ambitious legislative programme which covered the forty bills which make up this programme, on issues ranging from planning reform and fiscal responsibility to devolution and skills. It included measures designed to “take the brakes off Britain” and be the backbone for the economic growth which sits at the heart of the government’s agenda. The Planning and Infrastructure Bill and the Employment Rights Bill stand out as some key examples of the government’s commitment to its mandate of ‘change’, promising accelerated housebuilding and better contracts and remuneration for working people. The proposed move towards nationalised energy and water, via the Great British Energy Bill, and the Water (Special Measures) Bill, is an auspicious shift promising more responsible management of our national resources.

While the speech represents a synoptic big-picture, long-term roadmap for the UK under Labour, it also indicates what the live music sector can expect from the coming years. The new Government’s vehement emphasis on growth anchored by functional infrastructure complements our manifesto pledge to unleash the economic potential of live music: there is potential for a genuinely productive partnership between Government and our sector in this area.
Jon Collins, CEO of LIVE, said: “LIVE welcomes this week’s King’s Speech outlining the new government’s priorities. We look forward to working collaboratively with Labour in Government to unleash the potential of our sector. 
“The government's plans to reset relations with the EU can enable UK artists to tour more easily, and we urge quick action on this. We welcome the creation of Skills England and plans to reform the apprenticeship levy which align with our LIVE Music Manifesto proposals. The English Devolution Bill will be a positive step in awarding metro mayors with greater powers to drive local economic growth.  Having worked with many of these mayors in recent years, LIVE is aware of their commitment to the music sector and recognition that live music can both drive economic activity and bring communities together.

“We recognise government endeavours to improve the safety and security of public venues and keep the British public safe through the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill. We fully support the objectives of this Bill, but the previous draft would have failed to deliver these objectives while placing disproportionate burdens on venues and festivals, so an urgent review of the government's approach is needed. We remain committed to working with government to ensure any new requirements are workable and, crucially, build on existing steps taken by industry to deliver greater reassurance and safety for concertgoers."

Hit the ground running: LIVE to meet with new culture minister

As an indication of this Government’s desire to hit the ground running, LIVE will be meeting next week with the new Culture Minister (following his role in opposition), Sir Chris Bryant MP, as part of a roundtable with the wider music sector.  This will be a rapid fire session providing an early opportunity for LIVE to reinforce policy positions set out to Labour over the last two years.  Priorities for us will include: how we can help Labour to follow through on their manifesto commitments to sort out EU touring and regulating secondary ticketing.  The Minister will, no doubt, also be keen to hear of our progress establishing the LIVE Trust.  This was a key recommendation of the CMS Committee report into Grassroots Music Venues and any progress we can evidence here reinforces our calls for implementation of that report’s recommendations that Government reduce VAT for grassroots venues and undertake research on the wider value of a VAT reduction to the music sector and wider economy.

Proceed with caution: LIVE continues work on Protect Duty in roundtable with Home Office

Also building on the new government’s legislative programme, LIVE is organising a roundtable with Home Office officials to discuss next steps on their plans for the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill, also known as Martyn’s Law.  A complex area, as we note above in our response to the King’s Speech: while we support the principles of counter terrorism preparedness, festivals and events are already covered by multiple regulatory regimes and there is a risk that the Government’s current approach will delay action, increase cost to the public sector and cause confusion.  LIVE remains committed to working with officials and ministers, highlighting the existing, excellent work in place at many festivals and venues designed to deliver safe, vibrant experiences. 

A fresh start: Independent Commission on UK-EU Relations

The Independent Commission on UK-EU Relations reconvened this week to consider how the Labour Government’s plan to reset relations with the European Union could be of benefit to the creative industries and, within it, the live music sector.  The Commission recognises that the UK is home to an incredible amount of talent, not just in terms of musicians but also the technical expertise essential for creative works to reach large audiences.  They appreciate that for large parts of our cultural sector, the nature of our departure from the European Union has had a severe impact.  LIVE was delighted to, once again, help shape the Commission's thinking with our recommendations covering elements the UK government can control (funding, information provision and training) and how best to shape our approaches to the EU.  LIVE fully appreciates the work of the Commission and how it adds its voice to calls for sensible, considered change that would vastly improve the position for UK musicians and crew.

Misogyny in music: LIVE’s work continues 

As we take stock of our priorities for our industry going into the next Parliament, the safety and wellbeing of women and non-binary people is at the forefront of our minds. While the previous Government’s response to the Women and Equalities’ Committee’s report on Misogyny in Music was disappointing, LIVE has been working hard to pick up the shortfall.  A newly established expert working group, formed of representatives from across our membership, is developing a new framework of commitment to tackling misogyny for the fifteen member associations. 
LIVE welcomes Annaliese Dodds MP to her new role as Minister for Women and Equalities, and seconds her recent statements of intention to tackling misogyny, sexual assault, and online abuse via the Equality Act. LIVE encourages the new Government to reconsider the recommendations made by the Women and Equalities Committee in their report published in January of this year. In the meantime, we will continue to push for progress in our sector in three key areas of action: improving representation and visibility, providing gender and misogyny training, and establishing zero-tolerance policies.

LIVE is proud to undertake this work alongside the Creative Industries Independent Standards Authority, and will continue to advocate for the funding of this important body. Having secured in principle support from across theatre, performing arts, music, TV, and film for its mandate to uphold and improve standards of behaviour, CIISA has now launched its funding campaign in order to move through to full operation. Seen as a central pillar of the creative industries’ efforts to uphold and improve standards of behaviour, CIISA’s services, once in place, will include support and advice for those who have experienced workplace bullying or harassment; mediation and dispute resolution between affected parties; advocacy against the use of Non-Disclosure Agreements and on behalf of ethical behaviour policies including the anti-Racism code; and support for those who engage the criminal justice system. LIVE anticipates the arrival of these services and encourages all those who are able to make the contribution that is required of them for the benefit of the more vulnerable elements in our industries. 

Could it be you? Vacancies at the MMF, Julie’s Bicycle, and Attitude is Everything 

If you’re looking for a new role, or a fresh start in live music, take note of these openings at respected industry organisations. The Music Managers’ Forum, one of LIVE’s fifteen member associations, is hiring a Senior Operations Manager to oversee financial planning and strategic targets. Meanwhile, pathbreaking ecological non-profit Julie’s Bicycle seeks an Operations Coordinator to streamline the organisation, and Attitude is Everything – the charity supporting disabled people in the music industry – has a vacancy for a Artist Engagement Coordinator, closing 28 July.