Tag: west midlands (Page 1 of 6)

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

April 10, 2023 /

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

The Industry Report 2023 by Entourage Pro Ltd.

March 8, 2023 /

The Industry Report 2023 has sought to provide some context around members hopes, fears and considerations on topics such as the cost-of-living crisis, mental health, diversity, prediction, industry sentiment and pay.

Entourage Pro Ltd, the world’s first free, verified crew network and entertainment industry research and insights company, has published a report based on member’s feeling and predictions for the year ahead.

In conjunction with technical industry measurement, and with input from the global freelance crew community, manufacturers, rental houses and key industry stakeholders from the live entertainment sector, The Industry Report 2023 has sought to provide some context around members hopes, fears and considerations on topics such as the cost-of-living crisis, mental health, diversity, prediction, industry sentiment and pay.

Over 1000 respondents took part in the survey, providing a comprehensive and detailed sample range for the purpose of the report.

Read the report here

“We’ve spent a lot of time speaking to industry bodies, crew members, suppliers, manufacturers and the wider music industry,” says Entourage Pro Director, Joel Perry. “Whilst there are some concerns for the year ahead, there is also a feeling of optimism. Areas such as education, people value, exploring new ways to build relationships and to undergo training, etc., are being brought to the forefront of attention and from this, as an industry, we are ready and able to react.”

“We’ve published results as they’ve come into us and remain impartial,” adds Entourage Pro co-director, James Stanbridge. “As we measure the industry in more detail moving forward, in terms of kit, market share, venues, and trend, we hope that this direct approach is helpful and useable to all segments of the industry.”

“Now is the perfect time to listen intently to the industry and those operating within it, and really act upon the issues and challenges we continue to face,” concludes Harvey Goldsmith, who joined the Entourage Pro board at the end of last year. “Where better to gain valuable insight than from those at the very sharp end of the experience economy, and who better to action change moving forward?”

To read the report, visit https://www.entouragepro.com/industry-report

Birmingham Music Network Newsletter

January 2, 2023 /

Birmingham Music Network is a Music Networking organisation, leading the way by working with the local music community to stimulate growth, inspire, and share knowledge. We offer practical based industry experience and are not genre specific.

We would like to invite you to our brand new Newsletter on Substack.

The Music Network is a voluntary, not for profit, social enterprise organisation seeking charitable status. “we”, “our” and “us” means The Music Network. We are working for the benefit of the wider music community and encourage others to do the same.

Since 2000, The Music Network has pulled together a community of independent music organisations, based in the West Midlands. We offer access to some of the most innovative and exciting new contemporary music being produced today.

Musicians are finding it hard to survive. Brexit has been a hammer blow, Coronavirus has been a hammer blow, and now everyone is trying to tour and release music all at the same time. Audiences are overwhelmed with new music and concerts to go to. It’s hard for people to know what to choose with limited financial resources. Ticket sales are down, merch sales are down, every band with the ability to do so is out touring and asking for support. There’s little or no significant money coming in from downloads or streaming platforms.  But it’s not all bleak….there are lots of things to do.

Joining the mailing list and buying physical merch from Artists direct can really help. If you are struggling for money yourself, you can help in other ways by leaving a comment, sharing an Artist’s latest work or messaging them to tell them you are still there.

Birmingham Music Network seeks to encourage a positive attitude and a desire to find a way through all this.

“Pessimists sit around telling each other how hopeless everything is. It’s the optimists who get things done.”- Robert Anton Wilson.

Stay up-to-date, stay positive, and keep going. Subscribe to get full access to the Birmingham Music Network newsletter. You won’t have to worry about missing anything. Every new edition of the newsletter goes directly to your inbox.

Be part of a community of people who share your interests.

Join us on substack and keep in touch

https://birminghammusicnetwork.substack.com

You know what to do

New Birmingham Venue and ‘Vinyl Bar’ opens: Dead Wax Digbeth, 28 Adderley St, Digbeth, Birmingham, B9 4ED.

November 26, 2019 /

Dead Wax Digbeth

“. . . an optimistic mind-set finds dozens of possible solutions for every problem that the pessimist regards as incurable.” – Robert Anton Wilson, Cosmic Trigger I: Final Secret of the Illuminati

– 45 Birmingham and Midlands artists and DJs launch Dead Wax Digbeth from Thursday 28th November
– Venue will be home to a collection of 4000 records, operating an ‘all vinyl, all the time’ policy
– Music fans invited to play the venue’s records or bring own vinyl to play at city’s newest music destination
– Craft beers from Beavertown, Laine Brew Co. and local breweries on offer all year round

Dead Wax Digbeth
28 Adderley St, Digbeth, Birmingham B9 4ED
www.deadwaxdigbeth.pub | @DeadWaxDigbeth

Richard March

A new Birmingham venue and ‘vinyl bar’ will open its doors to music fans this weekend with a huge four-day launch featuring 45 bands, musicians, artists and DJs from across Birmingham and the Midlands.

Dead Wax Digbeth hosts a series of specially curated free events running across its three spaces from Thursday 28 November to Sunday 1 December – including two all-dayers, late-night DJ sets, rare live performances and acoustic sets.

Some of Birmingham’s hottest live acts, including Swampmeat Family Band, Brain Food, Violet, RISCAS, The Empty Page and Wax Futures will take to the stages at the 120/230/100-capacity multi-room venue, formerly punk, rock, metal and alternative haunt The Wagon & Horses in the city’s creative quarter of Digbeth.

Fully transformed by Brighton’s Laine Pub Co, Dead Wax Digbeth features a renovated and expanded building incorporating live music spaces both upstairs (120 capacity) and outside in the ‘Duck Bath’ yard (230 capacity).

The main bar area (100 capacity) will present a craft beer offering from Beavertown and Laine Brew Co. alongside guest draft lines from local breweries including Dig Brew Co, plus a Dead Wax Pizza menu with fresh carnivore, vegetarian and vegan choices overseen by city food tastemaker Anthony Duffy.

Music fans and vinyl lovers will be encouraged to choose and play albums and singles from the bar’s large 4000 record collection as well as enjoy vinyl-only sets from a diverse line-up of DJs in a bright and vibrant setting in the heart of Digbeth designed and created by local artists.

A mural, curated by in-demand street artist Gent48 featuring influential Birmingham bands, musicians and DJs including Big Bear Records, Birmingham Promoters, Catapult Club, Chicks Dig Jerks, ColdRice, Die Das Der, Distorted Tapes, Iron Man Records, Punch Records, This Is Tmrw, and Sweat amongst others will complete the visual identity for this latest addition to the city’s live music landscape.

The launch comes as good news in light of a number of concerns around Birmingham’s music and pub mainstays with city-centre venues including The Flapper, Scruffy Murphy’s and the Eagle and Tun all under threat from closure due to redevelopment.

Leading city live music bookers Birmingham Promoters, KILLER WAVE, Sonic Gun, and DIE DAS DER have all leant their industry expertise and support to the new venture, managed by former Sunflower Lounge boss and recording artist Ben Drummond.

Speaking ahead of the opening, Drummond said, “Its an incredibly challenging time for venues and bars in the city and across the UK so we’re doubly thrilled to be bringing Dead Wax Digbeth to life this week with a team that has worked very hard to create a very special offering. We’re hugely grateful to all of the local creatives who’ve helped us put together a full and exciting launch weekend programme and we look forward to contributing to the city’s cultural fabric, live music offering and UK touring map over the coming months and years.”

Selexterhood

“We need more positive thinking and especially well researched, well thought out, positive thinking. Running a Music Venue is not an easy task. Doing it yourself and taking risks is easy, but doing it properly and maintaining a music venue will be tough. By the looks of what I’ve seen so far, Dead Wax Digbeth stands a good chance of doing it properly and music and art will be stronger for it. Anyone who makes an effort to champion Live Music and Music on Vinyl gets my full support. I’m looking forward to seeing the place for myself. Music brings us all together. Here’s to hoping for a brighter future.” – Mark, Iron Man Records

20 DJs from a number of well-known city music brands will take part in the opening weekend, including Cherry Bomb, Distorted Tapes, Kaleidoscope, Night Owl, Sweat Club, and Takin’ Care of Business, whilst the live billing boasts 25 live acts drawn from Birmingham and the Midlands’ flourishing indie, psych, art-rock, acoustic, rhythm and blues, heavy, punk, soul, math and pop scenes.

Dead Wax Digbeth launch weekend listings

Dead Wax Digbeth Opening Night Party
1700 – 0300 Thursday 28 November 2019
Free

Main venue performances (1800 onwards) from:

Swampmeat Family Band
The Good Water

Main bar vinyl DJ sets (1800 onwards) from:

Richard March (Bentley Rhythm Ace, Pop Will Eat Itself) & Daniel Finnemore – DJ set
Cheese Dip (Sweat Club)
Joel Webster (Killer Wave, PNKSLM Recordings)

Duck Bath outdoor stage DJ sets (1800 onwards) from:

Cherry Bomb (Elizabeth Ilsley & Jonny Murphy)
Carlton Wainwright (Takin’ Care Of Business)

Killer Wave present Dead Wax Digbeth launch Friday

1800 – 0300 Friday 29 November 2019
Free

Main venue performances (1800 onwards) from:

Cherry Pickles
Witch Fever
Brain Food
The Devil & Saint Joseph
Elephant Peel

Main bar vinyl DJ sets (1800 onwards) from:

Selextorhood
‘T-Bird’ Thomas Jones (Takin’ Care Of Business)
Mazzy Maryam Snape (The Night Owl)

Duck Bath outdoor stage DJ sets (1800 onwards) from:

Dizcoh
Sonic Gun

Saturday Dead Wax Digbeth Launch Alldayer
1200 – 0300 Saturday 30 November 2019
Free

Main venue performances (1700 onwards) from

Violet
RISCAS (DJ set)
George Pannell
Alex Ohm
Faux Palms
Boat To Row
Cheap Thrills (DJ set)

Duck Bath outdoor stage DJ (1300 onwards) and live performances (1400 onwards) from

Paid in Full (DJ Wayne Lango)
Issy Holmes
Louise Woodley
Jen North
Paper Buoys (acoustic set)
Alex Lleo
Midge
Esther Turner

Vinyl-only DJ sets in main bar (1200 onwards) from:

Weird Wax
Kaleidoscope
I Dig Your Wig (Dan Finnemore)
Randy Billings (The International Submarine Club)

DIE DAS DER present a Dead Wax Digbeth launch event
1500-2200 Sunday 1 December 2019
Free

Main venue performances (1500 onwards) from:

The Empty Page
WAX FUTURES
Exotic Pets
Modern Literature
SUE
Liars at the Witch Trial

Main bar DJ sets (1500 onwards) from:

Distorted Tapes
Ollie/NC

Birmingham Promoters

Birmingham Promoters are an independent live music, events and gigs promotions company based in Digbeth, Birmingham. They have hosted a diverse array of artists including Ed Sheeran, Ben Howard, Jake Bugg, Editors, Bastille, Peace, GZA (Wu-Tang Clan), Skepta, Tinie Tempa, Royal Blood, Gabrielle Aplin, Tom Odell, The Staves, Nick Mulvey, The Fall, Metronomy, Sam Fender and much more.

KILLER WAVE

Killer Wave has been putting on gigs and parties for seven years, pushing their brand of garage rock and psychedelia on stereos and promoting local, UK and worldwide live acts such as Black Lips, Shame, Sunflower Bean, King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard to local favourites Black Mekon, Swampmeat, Mighty Young etc, working closely with PNKSLM records pushing parties all over the world.

DIE DAS DER

DIE DAS DER is a community of like-minded musicians, artists, bloggers, photographers, film-makers and journalists. They curate and organise events and aim to highlight Birmingham’s thriving underground music scene; assisting acts with exposure and encouraging mutual promotion, resource sharing and networking.

Laine Pub Co

Founded 23 years ago, with a single pub in Brighton, Laine Pub Co has grown to become one of the most innovative pub companies in the UK. With over 60 pubs in Brighton, London and Birmingham including some of the most creative experiential pub offerings in the industry, ranging from retro gaming to escape rooms, virtual reality, circus acts and immersive theatre, Laine is now at the forefront of the UK’s leisure sector. Taking its inspiration from the vibrant pub and beer scene in the city of Brighton and Hove, Laine Brew Co creates beer imbued with flavour, experimentation and good times. Its beers are unpasteurised and uncompromising, meaning more flavour and more love. With a focus on consistent, sessionable beers, 2×3 supported with market-leading design and POS, Laine creates highly individual and authentic craft beer which is accessible to all.

Birmingham Music Network and Screen Image Network into 2017

December 22, 2016 /

Established in 2000 our networks offer an industry platform for regional creative and cultural clusters. With over 6000 subscribers and online participants, we are a key knowledge transfer and engagement platform –  promoting regional business, developing national and international opportunities and enhancing sector skills.

The monthly Music and Screen Image Networks are changing.

The regular monthly meeting on the last Thursday of each month will no longer be at Millennium Point: Birmingham City University.

For details of meetings, public events and services, please subscribe to our mailing list.

For additional updates please follow us @BirminghamMN and keep an eye on the Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/BirminghamMusicNetwork

Our main point of contact remains http://www.birminghammusicnetwork.com

« Older posts

© 2023 Birmingham Music Network

Theme by Anders Norén — Up ↑