Live events industry issues ‘Red Alert’ over Covid-19 crisis
SOCIALLY-DISTANCED SOLIDARITY: Live events workers demonstrate in front of Hull City Hall. Picture by Tom Arran
Live events professionals in Hull have issued a ‘Red Alert’ to Government as part of a national campaign to raise concerns about the impact of Covid-19 restrictions on their industry.
Dozens stood in socially-distanced solidarity before the impressive backdrop of the City Hall, which was lit up red along with other venues including the Bonus Arena, Welly, and Polar Bear, to signal the danger to their livelihoods and the places they work in.
It was part of co-ordinated nationwide demonstrations involving hundreds of venues, including London’s South Bank, where a boat made its way down the Thames - passing Royal Festival Hall, the National Theatre, the Tate and others, all illuminated red.
The call to action hopes to raise awareness for more than a million professionals at risk of losing their jobs; 600,000 of whom deliver outdoor events. Around 70 per cent of the workforce is freelance. The imminent closure of the self-employed income support scheme at the end of the month threatens their livelihood, organisers said.
They were able to enlist the support of some of the biggest names in music, including musician and activist Peter Gabriel, and rock band The Cure.
Mr Gabriel said: “The live events sector employs over 600,000 highly skilled people in the UK - event production, audio, lighting, video, logistics, planning, transportation and technology - over 70 per cent of which are freelancers. All of whom have had no work for the past four months, with little likelihood of restarting until spring 2021 at the earliest.
“A lot of high arts have now been given some support, but people working on the festival side of things and in live events have been forgotten about, and I hope they are not forgotten about any longer. Around the UK they’ve created something which I think is the best in the world.
“Many of these people are freelancers, so don’t fall under furlough schemes. So right now, they are feeling the pinch very badly and if we want live events and festivals to stay an important British business then it needs to be supported.”
AT RISK: Demonstrators in Queen Victoria Square. Picture by Tom Arran
Among those taking part in Hull was Jess Addinall, 22, a technician at Hull Truck Theatre and freelance lighting designer.
Miss Addinall, who was accompanied by her dog Odin, who was sporting a red ribbon, said: “This industry is my life - without it I wouldn’t have anything. I don’t think people realise how much events are a part of their day-to-day life.
“It’s not just the Olympics, Glastonbury, Leeds Fest or the other big events, it’s gigs at the Polar Bear and Humber Street Sesh. We’ve come so far through lockdown but now people are really struggling and we can’t just let it fall by the wayside.”
The Hull event was organised by Hugh Jones, managing director of Hull stage, sound and lighting company HPSS, and Chris Clay, managing director of city events production company Dock Street Events.
They said in a joint statement: “Live events across the UK and around the world have been devastated by Covid-19, from major festivals and landmark theatres to grassroots venues, exhibitions and conferences.
“The UK live events industry - worth billions to the exchequer and a net contributor to the economy - is on the verge of collapse. Without further government support, hundreds of venues and supply companies will close, and many thousands of talented full-time staff and freelancers will lose their livelihoods.
“At this time of the year, HPSS Ltd would normally be employing up to 40 freelancers from across the region, all of whom have no work this year. Although the Job Retention Scheme, which we are very grateful for, has helped, when this stops in October, we will still have no work for these people until theatres and concert halls reopen. If these people leave the industry then, even when allowed, events will not happen.”
‘IT’S NOT JUST ABOUT GLASTONBURY, IT’S ABOUT GIGS AT THE POLAR BEAR’: Technician and lighting designer Jess Addinall
The initial ‘Red Alert’ and #WeMakeEvents campaign were announced last week by PLASA, the leading international membership body representing companies and individuals operating in the events technology industry.
The campaign has seen 19 trade associations from the live events sector collaborating for the first time to help save their industry.
Unlike other industries, events, festivals, and performances have been unable to safely reopen due to social distancing guidance. They may not reopen until early 2021 – and opening times keep being pushed back.
With no Government support on the horizon for the event supply chain, redundancies have already begun. Research indicates 25 per cent of companies will have served redundancy notices by end of August, rising to 70 per cent by the end of December.
In Hull, the city council has already asked for Government support for the embattled arts, culture and heritage sectors, seen as vital to safeguarding the legacy of Hull’s time as UK City of Culture in 2017, and the futures of those working in those industries in the city.
Council leader Steve Brady told The Hull Story that arts and culture were “what makes life bearable in times like this”.