Study reveals a third of professional UK musicians are earning nothing from music
Florence Lockheart
Tuesday, November 23, 2021
The study, conducted amongst nearly 1,000 professional UK musicians, also reveals that 22% are actively considering leaving the industry
Independent charity Help Musicians has today released research revealing the continuing catastrophic effects of the pandemic on UK musicians. The study, based on a survey conducted amongst 929 professional UK musicians in August 2021, shows that a third are still earning nothing from music.
When discussing returning to pre-covid levels of income and work, the majority of study participants (83%) reported inconsistency in bookings as a major barrier, with lack of venue availability due to the backlog of pre-covid bookings cited by 38%. Tour planning has also been jeopardised by the uncertainties of Covid, and by Brexit roadblocks.
Musicians are also having to juggle rebuilding their career with earning money from temporary work outside music. Today’s study demonstrates the need for this additional income stream, with nine out of ten musicians (87%) currently earning less than £1,000 per month. Help Musicians’ research found that almost half (45%) of the musicians surveyed are not confident about their long-term future in music and 22% are even considering leaving the industry.
The pandemic has also had a huge impact on musicians' mental health, with Help Musicians seeing a 60% increase in requests for mental health support. Today’s study found that around one in eight musicians are currently experiencing a mental health problem that is preventing them from returning to work. Additionally, 30% of musicians surveyed cited a lack of confidence stopping them from returning to perform in front of live audiences.
Help Musicians’ chief executive, James Ainscough, said: ‘Whilst much of the economy is gradually getting back to normal, it will be a long time before musicians expect to return to their pre-pandemic income levels, as we predicted from the start of the pandemic.’ He added: ‘As the industry starts to recover, we are shifting our emphasis towards helping musicians re-build with a wide package of support from advice on diversifying income streams, mentoring to re-build connections, mental health support and much more.’
Help Musicians’ emergency financial support has supplied £18 million in funds to help 19,000 musicians survive the hardship of the past 19 months. The charity is now announcing a new phase of support designed to help professional musicians rebuild their careers. Financial support will still be available to musicians in crisis situations.
You can find out more about Help Musicians at their website.