The Association of Independent Music (AIM) has responded to today’s King’s Speech, urging the government to protect independent venues and secure a diverse future for British music.
Earlier today (July 17), King Charles delivered the Labour government’s first King’s Speech in the House of Lords. The speech set out the government’s priorities for the months ahead, as well as the bills they want to pass in the next parliamentary session, following the party’s general election victory.
Alongside the 39 bills outlined were plans to strengthen local economies, reform the Apprenticeship Levy, and place stronger requirements on those developing Artificial Intelligence (AI).
Gee Davy, Interim CEO of the AIM, has now responded to the speech, urging the new government to “strengthen the ‘agent of change principle’ in their housing and planning goals, to protect the UK’s independent venues and the music that makes a building feel like a home.”
This comes amid a period of struggle for the live music sector, with Music Venue Trust’s 2023 report revealing that venues are currently closing at a rate of around two per week. Last year alone, 125 grassroots venues shut down – causing a loss of 4,000 jobs, with 14,500 events no longer possible and 193,230 opportunities lost to musicians.
Another key moment in the speech for the music industry was the new government’s plans to strengthen local economies, by introducing legislation to give new powers to metro mayors and combined authorities. which Davy said “will help ensure music can thrive in every region and nation of the UK.”
The speech also highlighted the government’s plans to introduce legislation surrounding Artificial Intelligence (AI). In April a group of artists, including Billie Eilish, Robert Smith, Stevie Wonder and Nicki Minaj, signed an open letter warning against the “predatory” use of AI in music.
Through the letter, the non-profit organisation Artist Rights Alliance asked that developers, technology companies, and platforms and digital music services “pledge that they will not develop or deploy AI music-generation technology, content, or tools that undermine or replace the human artistry of songwriters and artists or deny us fair compensation for our work.”
The letter continued: “Unchecked, AI will set in motion a race to the bottom that will degrade the value of our work and prevent us from being fairly compensated for it. This assault on human creativity must be stopped. We must protect against the predatory use of AI to steal professional artists’ voices and likeness, violate creators’ rights, and destroy the music ecosystem.”
During the speech, King Charles said the new government would “seek to establish the appropriate legislation to place requirements on those working to develop the most powerful artificial intelligence models.”
This has been welcomed by AIM, with Davy saying: “AIM applauds the suggestion of finding a responsible framework for AI.”
AIM have also welcomed the reforms planned to broaden the Apprenticeship Levy, saying they hope this will “enable businesses of all scales to engage and provide opportunities for young people; and hope that the increased support of workers will include freelancers.”
Davy went on to say that AIM is “looking forward to working closely with the government during this new Parliament to create the most supportive environment for independent music, which has long played a vital role in progressing and promoting British culture globally.”
He continued: “This will be essential to a brilliant and diverse future for great British music.”
Earlier this month, the music industry reacted to news of Lisa Nandy MP’s appointment as Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport.
Davy responded to the appointment, saying: “With Lisa Nandy’s experience in levelling up and international development, we hope she will help drive success for diverse independent music communities in all regions and nations of the UK, and provide strong export support in maintaining British independent music’s global standing.”
Nandy has previously voiced support for struggling nightclubs and live music venues, highlighting the musical heritage of Wigan — her constituency — in particular.
“Every single town has lost a nightclub they feel very strongly about, that was part of our history and our heritage, in Wigan we had northern soul and we miss all of that greatly,” she told Times Radio in 2022.
“Live music venues that used to sustain bands like The Verve, who come from Wigan, who could gig and play around Wigan, now just have to travel into Manchester to do it, those things have disappeared in the last couple of decades.”
Prior to the General Election, Music Venue Trust called upon politicians from all parties to “seize the moment” and help support the live music sector.