Elbow's Guy Garvey Criticises 'Pay To Play' Promoters
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Monday, 18 October 2010 |
Written by James Conlon
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Elbow singer and songwriter Guy Garvey has criticised UK promoters for taking advantage and ‘ripping off’ young bands. The frontman has called for regulation of the live music industry in order to ensure that all bands receive a far deal from their live shows.
Speaking at the ‘In The City’ music conference in Manchester, Garvey declared that promoters who operate ‘pay to play’ systems should be penalised without hesitation: "There needs to be something really strong in place if a promoter is found to be ripping off young bands. It's really, really unfair. It's basically playing on the hopes and dreams of people who are at the very first hurdle of their musical careers."
"Pay to play" schemes are still used throughout the country, particularly by larger promoters who have less commitment to their bands. The concept outline is that bands are contractually obliged to get a certain number of people to buy tickets for the show, otherwise they are forced to pay the shortfall. The system is especially harsh for new music acts, who can in no way be expected to have a guaranteed overnight fanbase.
Garvey went on to recall some of his own experiences as a struggling band. Elbow were performing for local audiences for almost a decade before releasing an album, and it was longer still before they received any of the critical acclaim which they deserved. He said: "Quite often promoters would promise you that scouts would come in from different record labels. So you would put up with anything that they told you to do.
"If I knew that you could get in touch with the Musicians' Union and I knew there was someone local who you could report said promoter to, that would be the way to do it. It should be the norm that you don't get ripped off. I think it should be policed more."NOTE FROM THE EDITOR
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