Following the launch of its #saveourvenues campaign in the UK last week, the Music Venue Trust (MVT) charity has revealed that donations have already passed £1 million (approximately $1.24m).
Instigated in response to the continued economic threat to over 500 grassroots music venues throughout the UK, #saveourvenues is aimed at artists, music fans and the wider music industry, with a plea for music companies in particular to contribute donations to the #saveourvenues fund.
The milestone follows “six figure pledges” from Beggars Group, Amazon Music/The BPI, The Mayor of London and “very substantial donations” from several other companies including Sony Music SJM, Kilimanjaro Live and DHP.
At the time of writing, the Crowfunder campaign has seen over 9,900 supporters donate over £1.2m ($1.5m).
Crowdfunder is covering all of the campaign’s platform and transaction fees, meaning that all monies raised will go towards supporting music venues.
To date, #saveourvenues has seen venues launch individual crowdfunder pages linked to the campaign with artists raising money for individual venues in crisis with whom they have a personal connection.
Artists are also being asked to support the #saveourvenues initiative via their social media platforms using the #saveourvenues hashtag and directing their fans to shows they are performing as part of this initiative and signposting the way to the www.saveourvenues.co.uk website where donations can be made.
“We fully support this campaign. Live music in small venues is where it all starts for most of our artists, and many of our best times are spent in them.”
Martin Mills, Beggars Group
Martin Mills, Founder and Chairman of Beggars Group, said: “We fully support this campaign. Live music in small venues is where it all starts for most of our artists, and many of our best times are spent in them.
“Whether it’s White Stripes at the Dome, Dry Cleaning at the Lexington or Adele (and Aldous Harding) above a pub in Islington, we need these places to survive and thrive. We miss them.”
“It’s been great to see many in the music community come together for the #saveourvenues campaign to help protect and save grassroots music venues across the UK.”
Paul Firth, Amazon Music Europe
Paul Firth, Director of Amazon Music Europe, said: “The UK live music industry is incredibly special and a key part of British music culture and in uncertain times like these it’s been great to see many in the music community come together for the #saveourvenues campaign to help protect and save grassroots music venues across the UK.”
“These industries are so important to the fabric of our city during the day and night, and they will play a key role in helping us to recover from this public health crisis.”
Sadiq Khan
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, added: “The coronavirus outbreak is having a significant impact on every aspect of life in London, and that includes our culture, creative industries and night time economy.
“These industries are so important to the fabric of our city during the day and night, and they will play a key role in helping us to recover from this public health crisis.
“I’m pleased to be working together with Music Venue Trust, the LGBTQ+ Venues Forum, the Creative Land Trust and the BFI to offer this emergency funding to those areas most at need, but we need the Government to step forward and provide the comprehensive support this industry needs to protect its future.”
“This is a great start but there is still so much more to do, and we dare not get complacent. We urgently need the music industry to help us so please get in touch if you can support this campaign.”
Mark Davyd
Mark Davyd said: “We cannot begin to say how grateful we are to Beggars Group, Amazon Music/The BPI, The Mayor of London, Sony Music, SJM, Kilimajaro Live, DHP and others for stepping up and helping us with the #saveourvenues campaign.
“These are critical times for over 500 grassroots music venues many of whom simply won’t survive this crisis without donations from the music industry and music fans.
“This is a great start but there is still so much more to do, and we dare not get complacent. We urgently need the music industry to help us so please get in touch if you can support this campaign.”Music Business Worldwide