Over 1, 500 artists team up for the #LETTHEMUSICPLAY campaign

Radiohead, Nick Cave, PJ Harvey, The Cure, Paul McCartney and Dua Lipa are among a list of over 1, 500 artists who have co-signed an open letter to the UK government to demand immediate action to stop "catastrophic damage" to the live music industry in the wake of the Coronavirus.

On Twitter, artists are asking that fans share photos or video footage on social media of the last concert they attended, using the hashtag #LETTHEMUSICPLAY in order to spread the word.

Music Venue Trust initially wrote the letter last month, and it was signed by around 560 of their venues. The letter calls for a swift £50 million (roughly €55.5 million) cash bail out, in order to prevent permanent closure to hundreds of UK venues and allow the venues to 'hibernate' until October. According to the letter, around 92% of festival businesses are in danger of permanent collapse.

Glastonbury organiser Emily Eavis said in a statement: “if the Government doesn’t step up and support the British arts, we could lose vital aspects of our culture forever.”

Rita Ora, Liam Gallagher, and Lewis Capaldi are also among the signees.

Read the full letter below."

“Dear Secretary of State,

“UK live music has been one of the UK’s biggest social, cultural, and economic successes of the past decade. From world-famous festivals to ground-breaking concerts, the live music industry showcases, supports, and develops some of the best talent in the world – on and off-stage.

“As important as it is, our national and regional contribution isn’t purely cultural. Our economic impact is also significant, with live music adding £4.5billion to the British economy and supporting 210,000 jobs across the country in 2019.

“Like every part of the entertainment industry, live music has been proud to play our part in the national effort to reduce the spread of Coronavirus and keep people safe. But, with no end to social distancing in sight or financial support from government yet agreed, the future for concerts and festivals and the hundreds of thousands of people who work in them looks bleak.

“This sector doesn’t want to ask for government help. The promoters, festival organisers, and other employers want to be self-sufficient, as they were before lockdown. But, until these businesses can operate again, which is likely to be 2021 at the earliest, government support will be crucial to prevent mass insolvencies, and the end of this great world-leading industry.

“Government has addressed two important British pastimes – football and pubs – and it’s now crucial that it focuses on a third, live music. For the good of the economy, the careers of emerging British artists, and the UK’s global music standing, we must ensure that a live music industry remains when the pandemic has finally passed.”