#LetUsDance: plea to government to save dance music industry

Stars from the UK’s Dance Music sector, alongside festivals, nightclubs, and industry figures, have issued an urgent plea for support from the UK Government that the dance music clubs and events sector must be protected and recognised as an important part of the nation’s art and culture in parity with the wider Live Music sector, to ensure equal access to support. To get involved and lobby your MP, CLICK HERE.

The Culture Secretary, Oliver Dowden MP, has previously said he ‘would not let the arts down’ as the creative industry recovers from the impact of Covid-19 but, when asked about potential support for music venues and festivals on Thursday, July 9 within Parliament, suggested funding would “cover grassroots music venues, concert halls and indoor arenas……those wholly or mainly used for performance of live music for the purposes of entertaining an audience”, with no mention of nightclubs or festivals.

There are over 1,600 nightclubs across the UK which play a significant role in supporting the wider Night Time economy, which generates £66billion in revenue per annum (6% of the UK’s total). Festivals (across all genres) contribute £1.75bn GVA to the UK Economy annually and support 85,000 jobs.

The campaign is supported by a host of artists who are standing up for their art including; Adam Beyer, Amy Lamé, Andy C, Caribou, Charlotte De Witte, Daniel Avery, Eats Everything, Fatboy Slim, Four Tet, Danny Rampling, Irvine Welsh, Maya Jane Coles, Massive Attack, Mistajam, Norman Jay OBE, Pete Tong, Roni Size, Simone Butler (Primal Scream), Thom Yorke.

Michael Kill CEO, Night Time Industries Association (NTIA), said: ‘The NTIA warmly welcomes the announcement last week by the Government that £1.57bn will provide a lifeline to vital cultural and heritage organisations. But we are keen to gain assurances from DCMS and Government that dance music venues and nightclubs will be eligible to apply for the funding and that it will not be reserved purely for venues like the Royal Albert Hall and the West End. The UK is home to a rich and diverse range of institutions, all of whom should be fairly entitled to this investment.’

Maya Jayne Coles, DJ/Producer, said:‘The UK is renowned internationally for its Dance Music Clubs and Festival culture, if it wasn’t for them I wouldn’t have my career, it must get the recognition it deserves and be given an equal opportunity to apply for the Arts & Culture funding, in line with Live Music and Classic arts sector. This also goes beyond just a love of music, for example, with the LGBTQ+ family, for many people these are the only spaces where they can be entirely themselves and meet people like themselves without a threat of violence and hate.’

To get involved and lobby your MP, CLICK HERE.