PPL has joined forces with the UK’s recorded music sector as part of an industry-wide effort to contribute to a hardship fund that will assist music artists in need as they look to cope with the damaging effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The support is being co-ordinated by record labels association the BPI.
A total donation of £1.5 million, which comes on top of individual initiatives, will be made by music licensing company PPL, UK record companies Sony Music Entertainment UK, Warner Music UK, Universal Music UK, independent labels Cherry Red and Demon Music Group, streaming service Amazon Music and The BRIT Awards to the Help Musicians Coronavirus Financial Hardship Fund and to other initiatives benefitting artists.
The majority of the donation (£1.25 million) will go directly to Help Musicians, enabling the organisation to reach a further 2,500 musicians in need of immediate financial help. A further £250,000 will be made available to support musicians through other channels, including other musicians’ wellbeing charities and support to the grassroots live sector.
Geoff Taylor, Chief Executive BPI & BRIT Awards, said,
“All sectors of the music industry have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, but grassroots artists who rely on festivals, touring and recording sessions for the bulk of their income are particularly hard hit. Labels and digital services are responding to their own challenges, but we felt it is important collectively to support those who face the most immediate threat to their livelihoods, to add to the welcome measures announced by the Government. The music community always comes together when called upon, and we hope this contribution drawn from all parts of the industry will help to sustain artists in need through this very difficult time.”
James Ainscough, CEO Help Musicians, said,
“Musicians’ continuing need for emergency financial relief saw the Coronavirus Financial Hardship Fund surpass 15,000 applications last week. It is only thanks to the generous input of the UK’s record labels, streaming services and BRIT Awards, as co-ordinated by the BPI, that we are able to process these applications and extend the fund. This incredible donation will allow us to help a further 2,500 musicians facing immediate crisis and provide essential support to those in need.
“Help Musicians has worked hard to make a meaningful difference to the lives of musicians for nearly 100 years. Our work has never been more vital or relevant and it is only though partnership and collaboration from many in the music industry that we are able to make the biggest possible difference at this crucial time.”
PPL Chief Executive Peter Leathem added,
“PPL is delighted to be able to contribute further funding to the Help Musicians Coronavirus Financial Hardship Fund as part of this pan-industry collective coordinated by the BPI. We further welcome the donations being made to musicians’ charities and the grassroots live music sector, extending the reach of our support deeper into the music community. As the days pass by, we know the demand for financial support increases; we will continue to explore ways to help those affected by this pandemic both in the immediate and longer term.”
