MUSIC INDUSTRY
The chief executive of the Help Musicians charity has described the return of live music as “massively important”, but warned of an increase in mental health issues among performers.
Monday will see limited audiences return to theatres, sports stadiums and music venues, many for the first time this year, as lockdown measures are eased.
James Ainscough, whose charity has supported the industry since live music was effectively halted in March 2020, welcomed the move, describing live performance as an important part of the “ecosystem”.
Latitude fans still face an anxious wait to hear the fate of the festival
– Credit: Archant
However, he predicted the unlocking would come with both financial and mental health challenges for musicians.
He told the PA news agency: “It’s huge. It is probably around 50% of total earnings and this is a £5 billion-plus industry, so this is a big thing.
“The music is an ecosystem and live, particularly in small venues, is where musicians first learn their trade. All the big stars started out somewhere small.
“And so to get…
