A new report was released today that I would urge every music fan to read.
It's the result of a survey of over 4,000 music fans in the UK and a series of roundtable discussions about live and electronic music. It also summarises a lot of other research and discussions with various groups who live and breathe music.
Lord Brennan, enthusing about seeing Joni Mitchell and Bob Marley, sets the tone in his opening remarks:
"This review has listened intently to the voice of fans. It is a call to all involved in music to turn the volume dial up to 11 in their favour."
What really struck me was the ways in which the report and the fans' charter focusses on the public good of music. Perhaps it's just me feeling repulsed by the corporate for-profit music industry for far too long, but I felt a bit emotional reading this bit:
Part of the appeal of live and electronic music is the collective experience. Whether it’s attending events with friends, family, or by themselves, fans describe gigs, concerts and club nights as shared moments that stay with them. Many find a sense of community, forming friendships that last for years. Time and again, fans told us that live and electronic music helps address loneliness, with venues of all sizes offering spaces in which fans feel they belong, can participate, and express themselves freely. This collective experience is a key driver in cultural citizenship, where fans can develop a sense of pride and place-based identity, allowing them to feel at home and connected to where they live. These shared, in-person spaces are also part of the UK’s wider social infrastructure at a time when participation in many other community activities is in decline.
I was probably moved by it because it's really not the sort of thing I see people in power say or publish about music.
It's echoed later in the report too:
Fans see live and electronic music as a social experience which forges connections and a sense of belonging. Some fans spoke about being able to attend gigs alone while still feeling welcome and part of the community, highlighting the important role that live and electronic music plays in connecting people.
The report is just shy of 100 pages long but lots of it is very spaced out and it'll likely only take you 15-20 mins to read with a nice cuppa.
The Fans' Charter is much shorter, with about 50 recommendations that the government, the industry, and and local authorities should implement, from ending ticket touting to improving late night transport and simple things like the live industry sharing timings so fans can plan their night out accordingly.
I'd much rather you read it and let me know what your takeaways are or questions about it might be, as I'm planning a series of podcasts to go deeper into this report in coming weeks.
You'll find it to read/bookmark/add to your reminders here:
One of the most important points is right at the start of the report:
This independent fan-led review of live and electronic music must be considered in full by the government, the music industry, local authorities and other relevant stakeholders to inform their ongoing work to support a thriving live and electronic music ecosystem. We expect the government to respond to Lord Brennan’s report and recommendations within the usual two months, in line with the convention for select committee report publications.
If you have 2 mins, please could you look up your MP and email them a link to the report to ensure that they read it. You can use this website to find out who they are:
There are also local elections coming up, so why not ask the candidates what they plan to do to improve live and electronic music in your area? You can find your local candidates by popping your postcode into this website:
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A few months ago, we published a podcast featuring Lord Brennan recorded live at Sŵn Festival in Cardiff. It was special panel arranged as part of the Culture, Media and Sport Committee’s Fan-Led Review into Live Music and Electronic Music.
Speakers included Sam Duckworth (aka Get Cape,.Wear Cape. Fly), Dr Lucy Bennett, Lecturer at Cardiff University’s School of Journalism, Media and Culture who co-founded the Fan Studies Network; Cathy Long the CEO of Aposto who worked with 64 football clubs at the Premier League (spearheading safety and fan experience), The FSA and co-author of the Accessible Stadia Guide; and Julian Jenkins a seasoned sports executive and entrepreneur with over 25 years of experience in the global sports industry.