Fatboy Slim and Massive Attack back #LetUsDance campaign to save the UK dance industry
Some of dance music’s biggest names have joined forces to launch a new campaign, calling for the government to pledge its support to the industry during the coronavirus pandemic.
Earlier this month, the UK government announced a £1.57 billion support package for the arts sector, however, plans for nightclubs, dance music events and festivals are yet to be included in the funding.
The #LetUsDance campaign asks the government to recognise the dance industry in the same light as the live music and performing arts sector, providing sufficient funds to ensure its survival while many venues remain closed.
Fatboy Slim and Massive Attack are among some of the big names to show support for the cause, joining the likes of Pete Tong, Andy C, Caribou, Daniel Avery, Four Tet, Irvine Welsh, Roni Size and more.
The new push follows on from the Let The Music Play campaign, which saw a wide array of artists such as Skepta and Radiohead sign an open letter to the government calling for immediate help to prevent “catastrophic” damage to the live sector.
Greg Marshall of the Association For Electronic Music (AFEM) said: “Nightclubs and festivals are the beating heart of the UK dance scene; providing collective joy to millions of fans each year, providing employment and incomes for an interdependent network of hundreds of thousands of people, while contributing hundreds of millions to the economy”
“We call on the government to recognise this sector as a significant part of the nation’s art and culture, and ensure fair & equal access to the support offered to the wider live music sector.”
Roni Size added: “We have to make sure that the UK Government includes our nightclub venues, dance festivals (and all the businesses & artists involved) in its financial support plans”
“Clubs are being forgotten and the discussion on festivals remains unclear. WE NEED YOUR HELP AND SUPPORT! I want to see you back on the dancefloor soon.”
Read next: Darkstar calls on fans to share their favourite UK music venue for new project
