News

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.

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.

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!