FAC & MMF encourage members to register to vote and “crash the party†17 Jun 2024
Potential voters have until 11.59pm tomorrow to register online for the July 4th General Election
FAC’s David Martin & MMF’s Annabella Coldrick highlight some of the key manifesto commitments impacting artists and music managers
With just over 2 weeks before the 2024 General Election, the Featured Artists Coalition (FAC) and Music Managers Forum (MMF) are encouraging artist and manager members to participate on 4th July, and ensure they have registered to vote by 11.59pm tomorrow (June 18th)
Full details can be found at: https://www.justvote.uk/crashtheparty/
#JUSTVOTE24
#CRASHTHEPARTY
This year, voters have to provide photo ID to confirm their identity. See details here.
Anyone who does not possess the necessary photo ID will need to apply for a Voter Authority Certificate by 5pm on 26th June. See information here.
Details of your local polling station for 4th July can be found here.
With the Conservatives, Green Party, Labour and Liberal Democrats all having published their manifestos, the FAC’s David Martin and MMF’s Annabella Coldrick have highlighted some of the key music-related commitments made so far.
David Martin, CEO, Featured Artists Coalition:
It’s reassuring that the importance of British music is recognised in all the manifestos published so far. The FAC’s priority is to ensure that the momentum to drive forward artist-friendly reforms of streaming and the sustainability of the live music ecosystem continue into the next Parliament. The next government must take forward the work that was started by the Culture Media & Sport Select Committee in these areas. We can’t let progress slip.
There are plenty of challenges facing our industry, but with a UK music strategy for growth the next government can maximise its untapped potential. Through practical changes to the way we do business - such as implementing fair royalty rates or a live ticket levy that directly supports artists - British music will thrive. The new government should legislate on these issues if industry consensus cannot be found.
Over the next couple of weeks, I would encourage our members to read through the party manifestos and back the FAC's campaigning work. And most importantly of all, make sure you register to vote by June 18th!
Annabella Coldrick, Chief Executive, Music Managers Forum
After the disruptions of Brexit and COVID on touring, and with the still unknown impacts of AI on our future, this General Election has huge implications for the entire music industry.
All the manifestos published to date contain pledges that will affect business in varying degrees, but I was especially pleased to see some specific commitments for the music sector - particularly those from the Labour Party and the Liberal Democrats that prioritise new improved touring arrangements for UK artists wanting to perform in Europe. The MMF and FAC have pushed hard for this with our #LetTheMusicMove campaign, and as part of our membership of UK Music and LIVE.
Given the MMF’s role in establishing the FanFair Alliance, I am also delighted to see specific pledges from Labour and the Lib Dems to take comprehensive action against exploitative online ticket touting.
Separately the Conservatives and Labour have both said they are committed to continue the economics of streaming discussions with Government and industry post-election.
MMF is actively supporting the #JustVote24 #CrashTheParty campaign and l hope all our members and everyone in the wider music sector takes the opportunity to register by June 18th and casts their vote on July 4th irrespective of political allegiances.
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THE HEADLINES
Creative professionals and organisations protest the unlicensed use of creative works to train generative AI models (see News)
Why do we care more about pop stars’ marketing than their music? (see Features)
Value of British music exports rose by 7.6% in 2023 (see News)
Questions asked following the death of Liam Payne (see Features, Showbiz)
Impala reacts to UMG's acquisition of [PIAS] (see Comment)
AIM's 2024 Independent Music Awards - winners announced (see News)
Vinyl Alliance criticises claims of a drop in US vinyl sales (see Reports)
The case for more transparency in music (see Opinion)
Liam Payne dies in Buenos Aires at 31 after fall from hotel balcony (see News, Features)
How patient artist development can bring music back to the heart of British culture (see Comment)
Report reveals big drop in album sales in the US this year (see Analysis)
[PIAS] co-founders announce sale of remaining shareholding to UMG (see Business)
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy made her first address to the music industry (see News)
Beyond the obvious: Building future-focused strategy (see Comment)
Is it time to stop and rethink how we're strategising marketing? (see Comment)
Inside TikTok’s money squeeze on independent labels: ‘this is a classic divide-and-conquer situation’ (see Digital)
Proper Group AG is "riddled with debt" (see News)