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The brutal truth to earning a living as a Musician in 2023 starts here

Birmingham Music Network works with the local music community to stimulate growth, inspire, and share knowledge. We offer practical based industry experience and are not genre specific.

Being a musician involves composing, conducting, or performing music as a profession or as a hobby. Musicians create, perform, and interpret music in various styles, either alone or as part of a group or ensemble. A music performer is generally either a singer who provides vocals or an instrumentalist who plays a musical instrument. Musicians may specialise in different styles of music depending on their background, training, and interests. Additionally, being a musician may involve recording and releasing music as a recording artist, which involves creating both a musical work and a sound recording protected by copyright. Ultimately, being a musician is a passion for creating and sharing music with others. But it’s not easy to earn a living as a musician.

Musicians, like all of us, are facing the biggest decline in living standards in living memory. Millions of people up and down the country are now dependent on foodbanks, with over 100,000 having to access warm banks each week and many more are taking on multiple jobs just to keep the radiators on in their homes and to put food on their table.

Over a decade of austerity, cuts and the Covid-19 pandemic has taken its toll on almost every single aspect of modern society. The lasting negative impact of the cost of living crisis remains to be seen but, for the live music and entertainment industry, it may just be the latest hammerblow to a sector where serious financial issues have gone unaddressed for too long.

Last month, the Music Venues Trust released its annual report for the year 2022 which highlighted the fragility of the British live music industry, which brings in £500m to the UK economy and has a total sector expenditure of just over £499m — leaving a profit margin of just 0.2 per cent.

This, shockingly, is despite 22 million of us enjoying live music performances last year.

It is fair to say that, without urgent action from the government, we could lose a number of important community assets that account for over 30,000 jobs and an incalculable music heritage in towns and cities in every part of the country.

37% of young festival-goers put off by increased prices – Access All Areas buff.ly/3AcFLGS

Musician explains why AI will never be able to replicate art & music as humans do ‘Disappointed feeling that there are smart people out there that actually think the artistic act is so mundane that it can be replicated by a machine,’ https://scoop.upworthy.com/musician-explains-why-ai-wont-be-able-to-replicate-art-like-humans-do

Ukrainian orchestra’s key members refused visas to play in UK buff.ly/3KXkmaQ

German band ‘refused entry to UK in Brexit rules row’ buff.ly/3UVnrM8

Glasgow venue ‘struggling’ as Brexit rules are ‘killing’ independent music scene buff.ly/3Ado89Q

Britain is a dying nation in need of new curators | Stewart Lee buff.ly/3GXyZIZ

In Brexit Britain, the arts are being treated as hobbyist luxuries for the independently wealthy. A day job is a reality for many it’s how artists, writers, & musicians, not blessed with independent or inherited wealth, keep themselves afloat buff.ly/40kVtdP

Dominion Festival debut cancelled with only 5% of tickets sold – Access All Areas buff.ly/3Lh3g8c

Ian MacKaye on the “depressing” state of the music industry https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/ian-mackaye-depressing-state-of-the-music-industry/

New US visa 260% price hike will impose further pain on UK touring musicians buff.ly/3okKpzT

British Musicians Suffer from the Cost of Living Crisis – Skipping a Meal, Performing Less, and Finding a New Job Is on Today’s Agenda buff.ly/40qUqc1

Music by the many for the many – SAM SWEEK highlights the devastation Government policies have visited on the music industry
https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/f/music-by-the-many-for-the-many

Government accepts key Committee recommendations to provide greater transparency on music streaming work and a more proactive approach to cultural policy
https://committees.parliament.uk/committee/378/digital-culture-media-and-sport-committee/news/194466/government-accepts-key-committee-recommendations-to-provide-greater-transparency-on-music-streaming-work-and-a-more-proactive-approach-to-cultural-policy/

38 Million tracks on music streaming services were played ZERO times in 2022. Nearly a quarter (24%) of the 158 million tracks on music streaming services monitored by Luminate in 2022 attracted ZERO plays that year. That’s approximately 38 million tracks
https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/38-million-tracks-on-music-streaming-service-were-played-zero-times-in-2022-elon-musks-book/

Robomagic’s James Massing on putting artists and the planet first
https://accessaa.co.uk/robomagics-james-massing-on-putting-artists-and-the-planet-first/

Festival Lab 2023 course to tackle lack of diversity in festival industry – Access All Areas
https://accessaa.co.uk/festival-lab-2023-course-to-tackle-lack-of-diversity-in-festival-industry/

UK Music calls on Chancellor to back eight-point plan for jobs and growth | M Magazine
https://www.prsformusic.com/m-magazine/news/uk-music-calls-on-chancellor-to-back-eight-point-plan-for-jobs-and-growth

U.S. Visa Hike May Impact Future Mobility of Touring Musicians
https://americansongwriter.com/u-s-visa-hike-may-impact-future-mobility-of-touring-musicians/

Music venues and clubs warn of mass closures after government spring budget revealed
https://www.nme.com/news/music/music-venues-and-clubs-warn-of-mass-closures-after-government-spring-budget-revealed-3414142

The Price of Music: Artists explain how the monumental expenses of touring make it an unfeasible reality
https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/the-price-of-music-artists-touring/

British Musicians Suffer from the Cost of Living Crisis – OperaWire ?
https://operawire.com/criticism-on-fridays-british-musicians-suffer-from-the-cost-of-living-crisis/

The economy is so bad for British musicians that 25% are having to skip meals – Alan Cross
https://www.ajournalofmusicalthings.com/the-economy-is-so-bad-for-british-musicians-that-25-are-having-to-skip-meals/

British musicians forced to cancel US tours as visa costs rise
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2023/03/01/british-musicians-forced-cancel-us-tours-visa-costs-rise-badenoch/

Music Venue Trust calls on local councils to help save gig spaces after Preston City Council gives £150k to Own Our Venues scheme
https://www.nme.com/news/music/music-venue-trust-calls-on-local-councils-to-help-save-gig-spaces-after-preston-city-council-gives-150k-to-own-our-venues-scheme-3411676

Cost of living and last minute gig-goer decisions “a perfect storm” for grassroots music venues
https://www.nme.com/news/music/music-venues-grassroots-uk-gigs-cancelled-fans-last-minute-cost-of-living-3391412

Leaked letter: ‘A toxic culture of fear and paranoia’ at the BBC, from the D-G down – SlippediscSlippedisc | The inside track on classical music and related cultures, by Norman Lebrecht
https://slippedisc.com/2023/03/leaked-letter-a-toxic-culture-of-fear-and-paranoia-at-the-bbc-from-the-d-g-down/

Artists in UK public sector making far below minimum wage, survey finds | Arts funding | The Guardian
https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2023/mar/12/artists-in-uk-public-sector-making-far-below-minimum-wage-survey-finds

Tour Management: Crossing the UK/EU Border Using a Carnet
https://ironmanrecords.net/2022/07/tour-management-crossing-the-uk-eu-border-using-a-carnet/

Tour Management: Going to Ireland and crossing the UK/EU Border using a Carnet
https://ironmanrecords.net/2022/11/tour-management-going-to-ireland-and-crossing-the-uk-eu-border-using-a-carnet/

German punk band Trigger Cut refused entry to UK to tour because of Brexit
https://louderthanwar.com/german-punk-band-trigger-cut-refused-entry-to-uk-to-tour-because-of-brexit-bullshit/

German punk band ‘humiliated’ after being refused UK entry due to post-Brexit rules
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2023/apr/10/german-punk-band-humiliated-after-being-refused-uk-entry-due-to-post-brexit-rules?

In Conversation with Dodgy’s Nigel Clark: all things Britpop, Billie Eilish, and why Britain just isn’t being ‘Good Enough’ to its musicians – The Mancunion
https://mancunion.com/2023/03/10/in-conversation-with-dodgys-nigel-clark/

Let me be clear. If you don’t buy direct from Artists and Musicians, and if you don’t buy physical products from Artists and Musicians, those Artists and Musicians you like won’t be able to survive much longer. Please make your purchases now or make your way to the exit as the store will have to close soon. You have the power to keep Artists and Musicians in work. Think what you are doing. And if you don’t act, those subscription services you like so much…. might just be all that will be left.

Bandcamp Friday – If you have the means to do so, please support Bandcamp Friday & buy direct from artists & labels. It’s a way to support independent musicians directly & sustain their work https://bandcamp.com/ And if you don’t have the means to make a purchase, leave a comment and share, share, share. Everything helps.

Subscribe to the Birmingham Music Network Newsletter on Substack here https://birminghammusicnetwork.substack.com/

If you find any other good articles worth sharing, get in touch.

Tweet us @BirminghamMN

9th October 2017 Music Network Meeting Minutes

Birmingham Music Network / Screen Image Network Meeting – 9th October 2017

Present: Mark Badger, Anthony Hughes, Rachel Mayfield, Mark Arnott-Job, Sarah Marshall, Monnei Lamar, Mark Malone, Joel Wilson, Ian Davies.

At The Gunmakers Arms, Birmingham

Chair: Mark
Minutes: Anthony

Mark:
Introduction to BMN and overview of the meetings from 2000 to 2017.

Meetings are for anyone working in music or related activities, to promote and share knowledge

Introductions:
Mark (Iron Man Records, BMN, Tour Management, Music Promotion etc) https://ironmanrecords.net

In the process of releasing Rachel Mayfield’s album Winter Of Desire on Iron Man Records.

Discussion about Tour Management and what it involves. Continue reading

Register now for Birmingham Music Network Meeting – 4pm Monday 9th October 2017

Birmingham Music Network meeting starts at 4pm on Monday 9th October 2017 and will take place at Gunmakers Arms, 93 Bath Street, Birmingham, B4 6HG.

Register now on our EventBrite Event page here, it’s free.

“We started Birmingham Music Network and The Screen Image Network to act as a meeting point, and gathering place, for the regions Music and Film community. Together we are creating a way to work. The two networks are an organic thing that have grown directly out of the enthusiasm of a disparate group of creative individuals. The meetings are for people who are trying to find a way to make a life and express their ideas outside the structures of conventional business models, academia, government, and the creative funding machinery of the West Midlands.”

The Music Network Meeting will also include Birmingham Screen Image Network. Anyone involved in Music or film in the region is welcome to attend.

On completion of the meeting, you may find yourself to be part of the Opening Night for Show Me Your Birmingham – Visual Arts Exhibition. This will be a Free event. All are Welcome. You will have a chance to view the city, and its people, through the eyes of Birmingham’s Visual Artists. Meet the artists and view the Work. Pick up a brochure of the weeks events, or buy yourself a pass. And all while enjoying the company of other like minded people, discussing recent events, and enjoying fine Ales and other drinks from The Gunmakers Arms Bar.

Please pass this invite on to Musicians you know or anyone else who you think may benefit.

There is parking outside Gunmakers Arms but its pay and display.

Birmingham Music Network Meeting – 4pm Monday 9th October 2017

The next Music Network meeting will be led by Mark Badger and Anthony Hughes. The meeting starts at 4pm on Monday 9th October 2017 and will take place at Gunmakers Arms, 93 Bath Street, Birmingham, B4 6HG. Register on our EventBrite Event page here, it’s free.

“We started Birmingham Music Network and The Screen Image Network to act as a meeting point, and gathering place, for the regions Music and Film community. Together we are creating a way to work. The two networks are an organic thing that have grown directly out of the enthusiasm of a disparate group of creative individuals. The meetings are for people who are trying to find a way to make a life and express their ideas outside the structures of conventional business models, academia, government, and the creative funding machinery of the West Midlands.”

The Music Network Meeting will also include Birmingham Screen Image Network. Anyone involved in Music or film in the region is welcome to attend.

On completion of the meeting, you may find yourself to be part of the Opening Night for Show Me Your Birmingham – Visual Arts Exhibition. This will be a Free event. All are Welcome. You will have a chance to view the city, and its people, through the eyes of Birmingham’s Visual Artists. Meet the artists and view the Work. Pick up a brochure of the weeks events, or buy yourself a pass. And all while enjoying the company of other like minded people, discussing recent events, and enjoying fine Ales and other drinks from The Gunmakers Arms Bar. Updates and more information will be posted on our Twitter

Read minutes from previous meetings here: https://birminghammusicnetwork.com/category/minutes/

Birmingham Music Network: https://birminghammusicnetwork.com Facebook Twitter

The Music Network organises NETWORKING EVENTS for the benefit of music related businesses in the West Midlands region.

If you have any involvement in music, come and talk about what you’re up to and meet some new people. These Networking events are about all things music in the region. They’re about helping you to do it, by yourself, for yourself and encourages you to share the knowledge with others. If you are a musician, a student, someone who works with musicians, represents musicians, has involvement with the music industry, or are looking to make new contacts…..the meeting will be useful.

If you have news to report, a presentation to give, an event to promote, any new points for discussion, a pitch to make, business cards or flyers to hand round, an appeal for help, advice or guidance or even if you only want some serious discussion…you are invited.

Please pass this invite on to Musicians you know or anyone else who you think may benefit.

I have updated the Music Strategy page here, there are a number of interesting articles on the subject of Music, Birmingham and what can be done to inspire, develop and promote music from the region.

If anyone would like to contribute any other articles for inclusion, please send an email with further details, files, or links to mark at birminghammusicnetwork.com.

Birmingham Music Network Meeting – 4pm Thursday 28th April 2016

“We started Birmingham Music Network and The Screen Image Network to act as a meeting point and gathering place for the regions Music and Film community. Together we are creating a new way to work. The two networks are an organic thing that have grown directly out of the enthusiasm of a disparate group of creative individuals. The meetings are for people who are trying to find a different way to make a life and express their ideas outside the structures of conventional business models, academia, government and the funding machinery of the West Midlands.”

The next Music Network will be led by Mark Badger. The meeting starts at 4pm and will finish at 5.30pm on Thursday 28th April 2016 in Room 435 at Birmingham City University, Millennium Point, Curzon Street, Birmingham, B4 7XG. Updates will be posted on our Twitter

The Music Network Meeting will also include Birmingham Screen Image Network.

Anyone involved in Music or film in the region is welcome to attend, its free and there will be tea and coffee provided.

Read minutes from previous meetings here: https://birminghammusicnetwork.com/category/minutes/

Birmingham Music Network: https://birminghammusicnetwork.com Facebook Twitter

Then Creative Networks from 5.45PM UNTIL 8.45PM www.creativenetworksonline.com

5.45pm Registration followed by complimentary food/refreshments and networking in our Cafe

7.00pm Speaker: BCU Millennium Point Lecture Theatre, 8.15pm Q & A, 8.45pm Event ends

To join us for this FREE event, please register at www.bcucreativenetworks.eventbrite.co.uk

or email creative.networks@bcu.ac.uk or call 0121 331 5400.

Alternatively, register online at our website www.creativenetworksonline.com

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