Jonty WareingJun 25, 2024

In the @emf opening ceremony I spoke about how a total lack of government support for the arts has made running UK festivals extremely risky.

When I said that three weeks ago, 42 festivals had cancelled or gone bankrupt THIS YEAR.

It is now over 50.

https://djmag.com/features/fields-dreams-how-do-we-save-uk-festival-sector

Fields of dreams: how do we save the UK festival sector?

Amidst the insurmountable rise in the price of production, and the ongoing cost of living crisis, how are organisers feeling about the crisis in UK festivals? And what solutions are there?

DJ Mag
Show threadJonty Wareing

@emf Remember what this government did to UK culture.

EMF will survive, but only because we have volunteers and attendees who will make huge sacrifices.

Others are not so lucky. Every single shuttered festival, venue, and club was important to a community. We may not get them back.

Jun 25, 2024 at 3:37pmWeb
Show threadJohnJun 25, 2024
@jonty @emf Reminded of that meme about George Osborne at a hospital being confused about how it creates profit. "The arts" are the same - if it's not turning money into more money, and doing it quickly, what's the purpose? It's incredible to see an entire generation raised to assume they'll be the 'ruling elite' and not even understand concepts like 'soft power'.