Cost of living: Bristol bands struggling as small venues close

Band members have said they are struggling to continue making music as the cost of living crisis continues.

Getdown Services band member Josh Law, who lives in Bristol, said he deals with the situation "by being poor and accepting that".

Others said they are going into overdrafts and living on cans of tuna.

Sarah Woods, CEO of a music charity, said bands are facing "a myriad of factors" negatively affecting their ability to develop a career in music.

She added that the cost of living crisis is affecting venues and touring, which then has a knock on effect on bands trying to get booked for gigs.

Mr Law, who has been one half of Getdown Services for two and a half years, often finds himself short of money after paying his rent.

"The only way we can afford our band is because we record ourselves and don't have to rent big vans for instruments," he said.

"I don't have any money ever and if it's a struggle for us, I can't imagine what it's like for other bands with higher costs."

The other half of the duo, Ben Sadler, added: "Bands can be quite mysterious about money, but I think it's important to talk about, because it's not fair that only people who are in these lucky positions get to make music."

Mr Sadler added that he can only afford to be in the band because he is currently able to live rent-free with friends.

He said things got worse after the Covid pandemic.

"After lockdown, everyone was excited to come out and spend money - that's changed," Mr Sadler said.

"It's noticeable in Bristol. Bands we used to play with can't afford it anymore."

The UK Musicians' Census Report from Help Musicians and the Musicians' Union surveyed almost 6,000 musicians in September last year and found that a third reported low mental wellbeing.

According to the survey, the UK musicians' average annual income from music work is £20,700 - but nearly half earn less than £14,000.

Ms Woods, chief executive at Help Musicians and its sister charity Music Minds Matter, said: "The cost-of-living crisis has affected everyone, including the places where musicians traditionally earn money and grow their fan bases, such as music venues and pubs, who are having to make difficult decisions about the number of events they can afford to put on."

While touring was once a "vital income stream" for musicians, it has become increasingly challenging, and increasingly expensive to navigate, Ms Woods added.

"The price of fuel, accommodation, the paperwork required and even food have all risen which is putting further strain on musicians being able to break even when they're out on the road, never mind turn a profit," she said.

'Do it for the music'

Band members have now said they are stuck between touring and not being able to work, or having to stop making music altogether.

Marcel Wloch, from Bristol band Pack of Animals, said: "It's hard to think of it as a stable income. We do it for the sake of it, not for the money."

Another band member, Henry Walker, added: "We're budgeting, going into our overdrafts and eating cans of tuna.

"There's this aesthetic of the struggling artist but cost of living going up is making it worse.

"People know you want to play, and you're supposed to feel honoured to be able to play."

Community support

There is still some hope though, Getdown Services said.

When their gear was stolen while on tour in Manchester, they thought they would have to quit because they could not afford to replace it.

But the community came together to fundraise and keep them going.

Mr Sadler said: "It really humbled us and changed our perspective on the band.

"We saw how much it meant to people, some of whom we don't even know. I never experienced anything like it, it was amazing. Especially as everyone is so skint."

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