Today Save Our Scene UK (SOS) has announced further protests to raise funds and awareness for musicians, who are still yet to see any financial support from the British Government.
This follows the successes of their London protest in October and marking the end of the second UK lockdown, SOS is launching two further bike ride protests, in London (Dec 2nd) and Bristol (Dec 3rd).
The protest in October saw hundreds of musicians and music lovers take to the streets in the capital and cycle to The Houses of Commons, alongside a rickshaw equipped with a DJ (Josh Parkinson) and some very loud speakers.
This time SOS will be taking to the streets and being led by a Land Rover with a fully-equipped DJ booth. Leading the London protest will see Jess Bays b2b with Josh Parkinson. Jess regularly performs with the likes of Annie Mac, Hannah Wants, MK, Derrick Carter and most notably Sam Divine, whose label DVINE Sounds has become a key part of her career.
“The industry has never needed our support more than now. The majority of musicians rely on events to make a living and right now we’re not making a living. I’m urging everyone to get behind this campaign, we need your support.” – Save Our Scene co-founder and DJ Josh Parkinson
The campaign, which raises funds and awareness for musicians all over the UK has partnered with Help Musicians, the UK’s only charity that is currently supporting musicians.
Started by 26-year-old campaign organiser George Fleming, Save Our Scene UK is an Instagram fundraiser that has to date raised more than £3,900, going directly to Help Musicians.
Save Our Scene founder George Fleming said: “As instructed by the Government, the music industry is getting on their bike. Our aim is to bring music lovers and professionals together and show the Government how important it is to protect the arts. We will be protesting until we see change, we cannot stop and must stand strong for what we believe in.”
The protests will not stop at London and Bristol. George Fleming has further plans to continue protesting across the UK in major cities including Leeds, Manchester and Edinburgh.
Protest dates:
London
Date: Wednesday 2nd December
Time: 19:00
Location: Hyde Park (Speakers Corner) to Parliament Square
DJ’s: Jess Bays b2b Josh Parkinson
Bristol
Date: Thursday 3rd December
Time: 19:00
Location: Clifton Downs to St Andrew’s Park.
DJ’s: Got Some b2b Pablo Bravas
What can you do to help Save The Scene UK and support Help Musicians?
- Write to your local MP and express how important it is we protect the entire industry for our future generations, you can find local MP details here: https://members.parliament.uk/FindYourMP
- Be vocal on social media. (Share a favourite musical memory, tag @SaveOurSceneUK and nominate 4 to do the same)
- Watch your favourite DJ’s and bands online.
- Buy merch for Christmas presents. @KeepHush @WeMakeEvents @SaveOurVenues @SaveOurSceneUK – all profits go to the music industry.