Investigating challenges in 探花直播鈥檚 live music industry
Dr Craig Hamilton, as part of the 探花直播 Live Music Project (BLMP), has been investigating the impact of both Brexit and Covid-19 upon the live music industry, both in the Second City and beyond.
Global challenges听
- led by Dr Patrycja Rozbicka (Aston University) and co-investigated by Craig and Newcastle University's Dr Adam Behr 鈥� set out to explore how 探花直播鈥檚 live music industry is approaching numerous challenges.
Furthermore, the team wanted to investigate how these challenges are being managed and whether any coping strategies could be identified and applied to other areas.
Craig, who is a Research Fellow in the 探花直播 School of Media, feels that the research was needed, particularly with live music on a global scale facing numerous crises.
鈥淭here were numerous existing concerns related to Brexit, mostly due to the lack of clear guidance, but Covid-19 has added an extra layer of worry for stakeholders, as well as immediate concerns over income,鈥� says Craig.
The project was funded by the Creative Industries Policy and Evidence Centre (PEC), which is led by Nesta and funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council.
Liaising with local and national organisations
The team worked with a range of stakeholders, including local musicians, promoters and 探花直播 City Council. They also liaised with national organisations such as UK Music and The Music Venues Trust.
鈥溙交ㄖ辈� is not only a regional music economy, it is a corner of a global one,鈥� Craig explains. 鈥淎longside the bars, clubs and venues, there are recording studios, music managers, graphic designers and many more.
鈥淭hese inter-related, localised musical activities are tied to regional, national and international systems of policymaking. By exploring how to sustain and support a live music industry on a local level, we aimed also to contribute to conversations on a broader scale.鈥�
Craig and the team aimed to uncover how the sector鈥檚 stakeholders responded to the current challenges of Brexit, Covid-19, and everything in between, as well as looking at solutions emerging at national and international levels.
The research comprised of , panel discussions, interviews, city mapping and online surveys.
Far-ranging concerns
Craig and the team are currently writing up their final report, which will reveal some surprising outcomes.
鈥淭here are pockets of activity all over 探花直播 that show great potential for development, given the right support,鈥� he explains. 鈥淏ut we will also show there are many threats that go beyond the imminent problems associated with Brexit and Covid-19.
鈥淚ssues such as zoning regulations, the proposed clean air zone and even the Commonwealth Games all point to the need for information, the sharing of best practice and other support.鈥�
International bids
The BLMP framework has already been adopted by another UK city鈥檚 regional music board, and Craig and the team are working hard behind the scenes to grow their research internationally.
鈥淲e have a larger bid under consideration that will roll out the BLMP processes and methods to look at how the nationwide UK live music sector is responding to and recovering from Covid-19,鈥� he explains.
鈥淲e鈥檝e also co-written a journal article with live music researchers from the Netherlands, and are in discussions with them over developing an international bid.鈥� 听
You can follow the BLMP on and .