Radiohead, Noel Gallagher, Glastonbury and more support #WeMakeEvents Global Action Day
Highlighting the support the events sector needs
Artists, events and venues from across the music world have been voicing their support for the #WeMakeEvents Global Action Day today (30th September).
The #WeMakeEvents Global Action Day is being held to highlight the urgent support the live events sector needs to survive the ongoing Covid-19 crisis.
Using the #WeMakeEvents hashtag, a vast array of musicians including Radiohead, Noel Gallagher, Blossoms, Idles, Paul Heaton, Foals, Fatboy Slim, Courteeners, Frank Turner, Skunk Anansie, Tim Burgess, The Coral, and Elbow have been promoting the campaign on social media.
Then, across the globe from 8pm local time, thousands of venues and places of work will #LightItInRed alongside unique shafts of light, projections, art installations and outreach to raise awareness and drive change.
Today’s action follows the #WeMakeEvents on Tuesday 12th August when over 300 venues around the UK bathed themselves in red light and thousands of out-of-work crew from the arts industry took part in a silent and socially distanced marches across the company.
In July the government announced a £1.57 billion arts rescue package to be used to support arts organisations, however the #WeMakeEvents campaign is calling for greater support and highlighting the massive job losses within the sector.
Sharing a photo of their crew members, Radiohead’s Colin and Jonny Greenwood, Thom Yorke, Philip Selway and Ed O’Brien wrote today: “What we do onstage is only part of the equation of putting on a good show.
“Our crew are at the heart of making it happen for all of us, band and audience alike. They’re incredible and that’s why we’re supporting #WeMakeEvents and invite you to do so as well, if possible. CEJPT x”
The Charlatans’ Tim Burgess wrote: “For decades, the music world and events industry have stepped up to play their part to support people around the world facing hardship - now they themselves are being left stranded. Entire elements of our culture face extinction if we can’t find a solution #WeMakeEvents”
Glastonbury Festival posted an image of The Pyramid Stage lit red and wrote: “The live events sector is in crisis. Today, we join with many others to call on the government to provide urgent support to protect an industry which means so much to so many, and provides billions to the economy. #WeMakeEvents.”
Sharing a montage of photos from their gigs, Idles said: “We are proud to support the #WeMakeEvents campaign. So many lives have been devastated by the sudden stop to the live music industry. This is a forgotten industry that is desperate for help. Please support in any way you can.”
Foals wrote: “Thinking about our fans & crew today... We make events. The live music industry must be saved before it is lost.”
Elbow said: “elbow are proud to support #WeMakeEvents calling on the government to protect our live events industry. We need to ensure that these highly skilled men & women are supported until they can get back to doing what they do best.”
Skunk Anansie also shared a photo of themselves with their crew and wrote: “Huge shout out of support for our brothers and sisters in arms here! And all of the other great souls in the events industry! Please show your support today for them and all the great work they have done and can still do!”
Check out some of the other artists backing the #WeMakeEvents Global Action Day below. You can also find out more about the campaign right here.