Posted on: 03.04.2020
Last Updated: 04.05.2020
As the impact of the COVID-19 becomes ever more real, we are all seeing a huge impact on our lives, our loved ones, our finances and our wellbeing. For many across the music industry however, those realities have hit more quickly and have the potential to have an even deeper effect than most. While the live industry was one of the earliest victims of the pandemic, many in our industry are realising that we may be the last to receive the support that’s so desperately needed.
We fought incredibly hard to see parity in the support for the self-employed workers, collecting data which enormously supported our case to DCMS, Treasury and No. 10. There are gaps in this support however, as currently structured it doesn’t reach everybody that needs it and there will be a delay, so we fight on.
The data we collected so far is stark and we have called upon those in our industry with the broadest shoulders to do their fair share to support our community. This is the time to be united, supportive and non-partisan, if any part of the industry fails, we will all be poorer for it when this finally passes (and it will pass). We have seen some incredible spirit throughout this crisis though, and with this in mind, we have been collecting advice, tips, news and support resources which we will host on our website and continue to update as long as it is needed. If you’re doing something, need something or we’ve missed something, or you just want to reach out, please contact me –david@thefac.org– and we will do all we can to help you. For now, please take a look at this page, please take care of yourselves and stay safe.
David Martin – General Manager, FAC
Contents
1. Government Financial Support (for individuals)
2. Housing Support
3. UK Hardship Funding
4. Health & Wellbeing
5. Government Financial Support (for businesses)
6. Live Streaming
7. Campaigns, overseas & other schemes or good practice
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Please note: We have been collecting information and reporting back to Government on problems being faced in registering for universal credit, please continue to contact us on info@thefac.org with your experiences in applying for advice or any of the Government’s support packages.
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1. Government Financial Support (for individuals)
a) The Self-Employed Income Support Scheme (SEISS) has launched. We are seeking urgent advice from the UK Government about notable gaps in this support.
b) The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme allows employers with a PAYE scheme to apply for support to continue to pay up to 80% of their employees’ wages.
c) Information on income tax payment deferrals for self-employed workers has been published by the UK Government.
d) Businesses and self-employed people with outstanding tax liabilities, may be eligible to receive support with their taxes through the UK Government HMRC Time to Pay Service.
e) The UK Government has launched a Coronavirus Information Service on WhatsApp.
f) The UK Government’s general COVID-19 guidance for employees, employers & businesses has been published.
g) Full details of the UK Government’s self-employed support scheme are included here. [Updated: 8th April 2020]
h) The UK Government has announced that the eligibility cut-off date for the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme has been extended to 19 March 2020, therefore allowing more workers to be furloughed. [Updated: 27th April 2020]
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2. Housing
a) The UK Government has agreed mortgage repayment holidays with UK lenders for those facing financial difficulty. The Financial Conduct Authority’s advice is here.
b) The UK Government’s advice for landlords, tenants and local authorities has been published.
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3. UK Hardship Funding
a) Organisations including the FAC, UK Music, Council of Music Makers and others are supporting Help Musicians UK as the central resource for distributing hardship funding. Their CoronaMusicians.info site is the main resource for support. We advise everybody to read it.
b) The Musicians’ Union has a hardship fund and is also fundraising to try to make more funds available for those that require support.
c) PRS have launched their emergency Coronavirus fund offering grants for those who have made over £500 in royalties or been a member for at least two years. Make sure you’re using the correct email address when applying!
d) The Incorporated Society of Musicians has a fund for self-employed musicians that are unable to work as a result of the pandemic.
e) Spotify has launched the COVID-19 Music Relief Project, match funding up to $10m of support for music charities in the UK, USA, Canada and France.
f) The Production Services Association has a small benevolent and welfare fund, Stagehand fund which may be accessible to some members.
g) PRS Foundation’s Sustaining Creativity Fund, to help creators impacted by the effects of COVID-19 opened on 6th April 2020. The fund is supported by Spotify’s Music Relief. [Updated: 8th April 2020]
h) Sony Corporation which owns major label and publisher, Sony Music and Sony/ATV has launched a global, $100m COVID-19 relief fund. The fund will aim to support frontline medical workers, children and educators and those in then creative community. [Updated: 8th April 2020]
i) Global entertainment organisation, Live Nation, has launched Crew Nation, it’s fund to support the backstage staff that are often missed by other schemes but keep the live industry alive. [Updated: 8th April 2020]
j) UK independent music representative body, AIM launched a £500’000 fund on 6th April 2020 with a goal to eventually distributed £1m to contractors and freelancers in the independent music community. [Updated: 8th April 2020]
k) Amazon Music have made a “significant donation” to Help Musicians UK’s Coronavirus Financial Hardship Fund. [Updated: 27th April 2020]
l) Arts Council England have updated their COVID-19 support page to outline all of their funding measures and how to access the £160m of funds that they’re making available. [Updated: 27th April 2020]
m) The BPI has announced that the UK’s labels and other parts of the industry have come together to announce £1.5m of donations to Help Musicians UK’s Coronavirus Financial Hardship Fund and other initiatives during the pandemic. [Updated: 27th April 2020]
n) PPL, the UK recorded music collecting and licensing organisation has pledged £700’000 of donations to various hardship funds, to support various cohorts within the UK’s music industry. [Updated: 27th April 2020]
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4. Health & Wellbeing
a) UK Government’s advice to support mental health during the Coronavirus outbreak has been published.
b) Public Health England have published mental health and wellbeing guidance for coping during the COVID-19 outbreak.
c) The Music Industry Therapist Collective (MITC) has produced a Guide to Anxiety Relief & Self Isolation.
d) UK charity Music Support can provide support to those who are suffering from mental, emotional and behavioural health disorders.
e) Jack Williamson of Music & You has developed a tip sheet of 9 ways to manage your anxiety during Coronavirus.
f) The NHS COVID-19 guidance is here.
g) Yale are offering a free wellbeing course via Coursera. The course starts on 2nd April 2020.
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5. Government Financial Support (for businesses)
a) UK Government advice on business VAT deferrals has been published.
b) Business FAQ’s from UK Government are here.
c) UK Government advice on the statutory sick pay rebate for small to medium sized businesses has been published.
d) Small business that pay little or no business rates, may also be eligible for the UK Government’s small business grant funding.
e) Small businesses in the retail, leisure and hospitality sector can access the UK Government’s cash grants of up to £25’000 per property.
f) The UK Government has confirmed that businesses in the retail, hospitality and leisure sector will not pay business rates for 2020-21. We are seeking clarity on the definition of various music premise types and their eligibility for the support.
g) The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme allows employers with a PAYE scheme to apply for support to continue to pay up to 80% of their employees’ wages.
h) The UK Government has launched the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme for small and medium business. We are seeking an urgent review of the administration of the scheme in respect of music organisations.
i) The Chancellor has extended the scope of the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme, meaning smaller businesses are now eligible, requests for personal guarantees on sub £250k loans are banned and banks are required to move more quickly to offer support. [Updated: 8th April 2020]
j) The full range of the UK Government’s business measures have been summarised and outlined here. [Updated: 8th April 2020]
k) The UK’s Furlough Scheme will now run until the end of June. The UK Government has provided more details about the extension here. [Updated: 27th April 2020]
l) The UK Government has announced a new loan scheme, allowing businesses struggling to access existing loans, to apply for up to 25% of turnover with a maximum payment of £50,000. The Government will offer 100% guarantees and pay interest for the first 12 months, with no repayments due in the first year. Loans are intended to be fast and simple to access. [Updated: 27th April 2020]
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6. Live Streaming
a) Online platform TWITCH have created a guide to get started with streaming, helping artists to stay connected with fans as well as explaining how to get paid.
b) FAC Advocate, Emma McGann hooked up with MusicTech to provide her 8 pro tips for live streaming.
c) Many creators are using Patreon as a way to create income during the crisis.
d) See FAC Advocate, Emma McGann’s TED talk, Livestreaming My Life for her story and why she got into live streaming.
e) Brooklyn-based writer, Cherie Hu has created and shared a Virtual Music Events Directory which also includes a list of tools which can be used to host virtual events.
f) Many artists have already started streaming. Frank Turner used GoFundMe to accept donations in order to support his team and crew through COVID-19.
g) FAC Advocate, Emma McGann’s channel on YouNow has lots of ideas and angles for streaming video – check it out for some inspiration.
h) Tag us in your live streams, stories and other posts on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.
i) Resident Advisor has launched Streamland, a listings hub for virtual events, making it easier to connect fans and streamers around the world – submit your virtual events here. [Updated: 27th April 2020]
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7. Campaigns, schemes, overseas, best practice & good news
a) We’ve teamed up with Bandcamp to help more of you get set up on the platform to make some money from your music or merch. Their guide for artists is here but you can also contact us for support.
b) The MU has launched its campaign make sure no musician is left behind by the Government’s self-employed scheme. It includes a template to write to your MP.
c) On 20th March, Bandcamp ran a 24-hour campaign, meaning that more money ($4.3m) made it to artists and independent labels with zero commission.
d) PPL UK has announced a Q1 distribution of £87.6m and other measures that it’s taking and considering to support artists.
e) UK label, Defected held its first ever virtual festival in response to restrictions, reaching over 10 million fans. It’s now hosting a hosting a virtual residency.
f) Beggars Group founder, Martin Mills has released a statement of support and details of measures that the company is taking to support the industry here.
g) Soundcloud has announced a series of measures, as put forward by CEO, Kerry Trainor.
h) The UK music industry has come together to adopt the #musicbusinessadvice hashtag on social media for any advice that is being shared.
i) Organisations including AIM, PRS Foundation, BPI, PRS and PPL supported the British Music Embassy Sessions to host artists that had been set to play at SXSW.
j) The German Federal Government announced a €50bn package for its creative and cultural sector. We think this helps to bring short term stability and long-term sustainability.
k) Online music magazine, Resident Advisor has launched its SOS campaign with an open later signed by our General Manager, David Martin, outlining ideas and initiatives, for supporting the electronic scene.
l) The music community has launched the #LoveRecordStores initiative to support independent music retailers through the current crisis.
m) Independent artist Self Esteem aka Rebecca Lucy Taylor ran the PXSSY PANDEMIQUE digital festival which was closed by our very own Roxanne de Bastion and raised almost £6000 for Women’s Aid.
n) The Creative Industries Federation have launched their Pay It Forward campaign with Crowdfunder to help support creative businesses through this time.
o) We Are Hear are launching a Fundraiser in conjunction with Roland to support musicians and teams, the FAC is also supporting UK distribution of funds.
p) Online music educator MusicGurus have provided a number of courses (including an FAC one!) for free to help keep musicians motivated and supported through COVID-19.
q) Iconic instrument makers, Gibson have launched their HomeMade Music on their TV channel to support artists who are affected by restrictions on their ability to tour.
r) The Phonographic Performance Company of Australia (PPCA) has put in place a programme for artist advances.
s) Iconic guitar manufacturer Fender launched Play Through.Play On to provide access to three months of free lessons to support up half a million people during the pandemic.
t) London charity, Music Matters has announced that it is waiving all of its fees (normally £2750) for the 2020/21 cohort of it’s Team Teach instrument teaching courses to help combat the impact that COVID-19 is having on the arts. [Updated: 8th April 2020]
u) The UK’s Night Time Industries Association has launched is Big Freeze campaign which brings together landlords and tenants with the aim of freezing mortgage and therefore rent payments for a part of the industry, which has been heavily impact by COVID-19. [Updated: 8th April 2020]
v) Universal Music Group announced it’s‘global commitment’ in responding to COVID-19. UMG is offering ‘interest free advances and waived fees to artists, songwriters and independent labels in need’. We’re slightly unsure what this means. UMG has also made an undisclosed financial contribution to the MusiCares fund and agreed to ‘match it’s US employees’ contributions to qualifying charities’. [Updated: 8th April 2020]
w) Music Venue Trust has launched its Save Our Venues campaign which aim to raise funds to support the grassroots music venues which have been heavily impact by UK lockdown measures. The FAC is an official partner to this campaign. [Updated: 27th April 2020]
x) A number of US-based music bodies (ARA, A2IM, MAC, NMPA, NSAI, RIAAand SONA) have launched a website signposting guidance and resources for the American music community impacted by COVID-19. The site aims to help navigate the US government support schemes. [Updated: 27th April 2020]
y) Frank Turner and Independent Venue Week teamed up to present Independent Venue Love where a live show is streamed for fans with their donation going to raise funds to support a specific venue. FT and IVW are inviting other artists to do the same. [Updated: 27th April 2020]
z) Apple have launched their music fund. The $50m fund is available to indie labels who have a direct distribution deal and earn over $10’000 minimum on a quarterly basis via Apple. [Updated: 27th April 2020]
aa) BBC Local Radio has launched the Make a Difference campaign. It acts like a virtual noticeboard and links people in need of help with those who can provide it. To date, the campaign has been contacted by the public 155,952 times. [Updated: 27th April 2020]
ab) Manchester’s Off The Record launched Isolation Albums, in association with Help Musicians UK and Record Store Day, the campaign brings together recognised names to nominate their favourite albums that are helping them through the lockdown. [Updated: 27th April 2020]
ac) Complete Music Update (CMU) have launched “Lockdown Webinars” for those hoping to learn something whilst in self-isolation. The sessions are available at a reduced price of £20 and are four for the price of three. [Updated: 27th April 2020]
ad) Ableton have created a webpage outlining the things that they’re putting in place to support creators during the pandemic. Their measures include free sample packs, free books, a significant discount on their software and extended free trial periods. [Updated: 27th April 2020]
ae) Ableton have made their book Making Music: 74 Creative Strategies for Electronic Music Producers available to read online for free to give producers some creative tools to consider during lockdown. [Updated: 27th April 2020]
af) Jud Friedman GSW (Global songwriters workshops) are offering heavily discounted online song writing workshops for anyone around the globe. The workshops are run by Los Angeles based Oscar, Grammy, Golden Globe nominated award-winning billboard no 1 hit songwriter and record producer Jud Friedman. Best known for ‘Run to You’ – Whitney Houston – ‘The Bodyguard’. [Updated: 4th May 2020]