Due to current events we’ve had to move around our weekly music news, however we will still be here every Tuesday with a Leicester music update for you in partnership with PPL PRS Ltd.
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NEWS
Aziz Ibrahim – The Soundhouse
Saturday 24 October 2020
Wake up promotions present x 2 intimate all seated shows featuring ‘Lord of the strings’ ex-Stone Roses guitarist, Aziz Ibrahim. Tickets limited to 30 per show. TICKETS.
Braids – Firebug
Wednesday 20 October
This Montreal-based Canadian three piece make an experimental indie-rock sound, encompassing elements of post-rock and shoegaze with electro beats and grooves. Original date re-scheduled and will now take place at Firebug. TICKETS.
Unplugged at The Musician
Friday 25 September
Factory Girls, Evie Ward, Lee Rushin and Emily Carr join the line-up for this all seated reduced capacity show at The Musician. TICKETS.
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INTERVIEW: PPL PRS Ltd launch Restore The Rhythm
For this week’s interview we’re catching up with our Music Guide sponsors, PPL PRS Ltd. The national music licensing company is based right here in Leicester and has recently launched a campaign called Restore The Rhythm, aimed at using music to help people settle back into office environments and also to feel more comfortable when out shopping. We caught up with Beth and Greg from the management team so find out a little more about it.
There’s no denying what a huge impact the pandemic has had on the music industry. Whilst much focus has been on the restriction of live music events, many might have overlooked the knock-on effect of musician’s royalties which come the licensing of businesses such as bars, offices, warehouses, beauty salons and shops playing music.
PPL PRS Ltd, the Leicester-based music licensing company is now launching a new campaign, Restore the Rhythm, which encourages businesses to get back to their best.
Of course, all businesses and organisations who play music to their customers and employees are legally required to obtain TheMusicLicence from PPL PRS. When the Government made the announcement on 23rd March that all non-essential business should close, this also meant that the music enjoyed by so many, be that live or recorded, could no longer be heard in those businesses and venues.
Back in March, PPL PRS, working with their parent companies PPL and PRS for Music, took the decision to stop charging businesses for TheMusicLicence for the period of closure. Greg Aiello, Head of Commercial at PPL PRS, commented, “We very quickly recognised what a challenging time this was going to be for everyone involved. Through suspending the costs of TheMusicLicence for that period it goes a little way to assisting with some of the outgoing strain on businesses.”
“Of course, the closures also affected performers, songwriters, record labels and publishers directly whose royalties from public performance licensing will be reduced. Bethany Grundy, Senior Trading Manager, commented, “For them, TheMusicLicence means that they receive royalties whenever their music is played, and the closures put a stop to this”.
Both PPL and PRS for Music provided financial aid for artists in need during this time. PRS for Music launched their Emergency Relief Fund, which raised more than £2.1m and helped over 4,000 songwriters and composers facing hardship. PPL contributed over £1 million to funds set up by Help Musicians, The Musicians’ Union, AIM UK, the Music Managers Forum and others, to help those who had been affected. Beth added, “The knock-on effect to their members has been significant. Many in the industry rely on these royalties for a living and these funds were intended to offer some short-term support to those most affected.”
Now, as many businesses bring employees back to the office, as shops welcome back customers, and venues begin to work to their new normal, PPL PRS recognise that customers and employees may be anxious about returning. This is what inspired the launch of Restore the Rhythm.
“Music can really help with anxious customers or help nervous employees to feel more relaxed and comfortable in a new workplace setting”, Beth added. “We want to encourage as many businesses and venues as possible to use music in a positive manner as we begin to look ahead to life post-lockdown.”
There’s no denying that the world we’re returning to is very different to the one we left in March. A summer without festivals, stadium tours or parties has meant that people have been without that live music experience for such an unexpected duration, but now there’s an opportunity for businesses and employers to inject a little music, familiar comfort and enjoyment back into people’s lives.
It’s now over 3 years since PPL PRS moved into their offices at Mercury Place and staying close to the local industry and community has been of huge importance to them. Greg commented, “So many of us who work here are here because we love music. I used to be in a band and being involved in an organisation that works with the music industry on a national level is such a great opportunity.”
Beth added, “We always try to support the local scene wherever we can. From visiting our neighbours, The Soundhouse, to open mic nights at Firebug or holding our summer party at LCB Depot, those times may have changed but we’ll hopefully be back there soon!”
PPL PRS believe that music can help to restore the rhythm back to the UK economy. When a business plays music, they are not only welcoming their customers and workforce back, they are helping to keep the music industry alive.
To find out more about PPL PRS, TheMusicLicence and Restore the Rhythm please visit www.pplprs.co.uk.
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WEEKLY PLAYLIST
Enjoy this week’s best of Leicester playlist packed full of suggestions, recommendations and top local talent.
Have a listen and get in touch to tell us which tracks you’re loving.
MORE MUSIC NEWS NEXT WEEK
