Donations flood in to save jazz venues
Mark Davyd, CEO of the Music Venue Trust, spoke to Jazz FM Business Breakfast about the live music outlook in England, outlining the challenges faced
Last updated 17th Aug 2020
Live music has returned to England after lockdown, but social distancing restrictions mean many intimate jazz venues still can’t open their doors.
From Saturday, audiences can once again attend indoor performances, but only if they follow government guidelines, which say venues should consider how many people can safely attend, be sensible about selling food and drink, and enforce social distancing between households.
Mark Davyd, CEO of the Music Venue Trust, told the Jazz FM Business Breakfast that the new rules were “bittersweet”, as only a third of all venues can physically handle social distancing, and only a third of those can make it work financially.
“We’re obviously pleased that we’re one step closer to getting back to normal,” he said. “But This is not really getting venues open.”
The news coincides with the launch of a fundraising campaign to keep grassroots venues going. For a minimum £5 donation to the Passport: Back to Our Roots fund, concert lovers are entered into a prize draw to win tickets for when venues are back up and running.
Pop and rock artists like Elbow, Ash and Public Service Broadcasting are committing to intimate gigs to support the campaign, and while Mark acknowledges there are no jazz stars on his list right now, there are “jaw dropping” events still to be announced. Crucially, the fundraiser will support venues that play all kinds of music.
“The money that we receive is being used directly to stop venues closing. A lot of the jazz venues across the country have already received some support from us – we’re supporting them to make applications for the funding to which they entirely. We’re doing everything we can.”
You can hear the full interview here:
You can find out more information about the Passport: Back to our Roots campaign here, and you can head directly to pledge your support in the crowdfunder here.
COVID-19 is clearly having a huge impact on the music and entertainment industries. If you would like to find out what else you can do to help, you can read our guide on how to support jazz musicians and the music industry in a challenging time.