NME.com (01/05/21) Moore, Sam
A new report from UK Music breaks down its strategy for restoring Britain's live music industry once it is safe to do so. The "Let the Music Play: Save Our Summer 2021" report says a lack of coronavirus cancellation insurance is the biggest obstacle to this revival, and urges the U.K. government to implement an insurance framework as it has done for the film and TV industries. Also recommended is setting "an indicative date for a full capacity restart" for venues and festivals, a government-supported indemnity scheme, and targeted financial backing for the live music sector. UK Music is further calling for an extension to the value added tax rate reduction on tickets, a rollover of the paid 2020 Local Authority license fees for festivals to this year, and an extension to business rates relief. "Government is rolling out the vaccine and is openly speculating about returning to normal by the spring — but there is a serious risk that even if this proves to be a reality, lack of notice and available insurance options will mean much of the 2021 summer music season can't go ahead," warned UK Music CEO Jamie Njoku-Goodwin.
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