Gloucestershire’s Music Scene Under Pressure: A New Report Calls for Action
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Alright, music lovers—Gloucestershire’s gig economy just got put under the microscope, and the results are raising some serious alarms. A new report from Out The Box Productions has dug into the state of local music, and guess what? Things aren’t looking great.
From Brexit and COVID-19 gutting musicians’ incomes, to dodgy ticket pricing leaving fans frustrated, to the tricky balance between international and local talent, the findings highlight some of the biggest challenges facing not just Gloucestershire, but the UK’s entire music industry.
So, what’s actually going on?
1. Musicians Are Struggling to Make Ends Meet
We all know streaming doesn’t pay the bills, but throw in a post-pandemic hangover and Brexit’s never-ending admin nightmare, and you’ve got a recipe for financial disaster.
The report gathers insights from musicians like Gez O’Connell, The Tonics, and Sam Swancott, all of whom shed light on just how tough it is to survive as a working artist today. With funding streams shifting, fewer gigs, and a reliance on streaming platforms that pay pennies, something’s gotta give.
2. The Internationalisation Dilemma
Here’s a tricky one: how do you encourage international talent without pushing local artists out of the picture?
According to the report, Gloucestershire’s music scene is caught between two worlds—big-name acts that draw crowds and homegrown talent that needs space to grow. There’s tension between bustling county hubs and smaller towns/villages, with live music strategies often prioritising big, headline-friendly names over local acts who could be the next big thing.
It’s a balancing act, and right now? The scales are tipped in favour of international artists.
MP Cameron Thomas (Tewkesbury) chimed in, saying:
“If we’re going to improve [the availability of music], then that needs to happen at a governmental level.”
In other words, without proper support, Gloucestershire’s local talent might never get the break they need.
3. The Ticketing Problem That Won’t Go Away
If you’ve ever tried (and failed) to buy tickets because of mysterious price hikes or bots snapping them up in seconds, you’re not alone. The report, featuring insights from LIVE’s Jon Collins, found that nearly half of ticket buyers have missed out on gigs due to dynamic pricing tactics—you know, the system where prices skyrocket based on demand, leaving fans either priced out or furious.
The solution? More transparency, better consumer protections, and making sure young and grassroots fans don’t get locked out of the scene before they even get started.
So, What Needs to Happen?
Out The Box Productions is calling for urgent changes, including:
🎶 More support for grassroots music scenes and young musicians
🎫 Stronger protections for fans against dodgy ticketing practices
📢 Better communication between the music industry and its audience
With input from academics, artists, industry experts, and local politicians, this report isn’t just about Gloucestershire—it’s about the future of live music across the UK.
Because if we don’t start fixing these issues now, where will the next generation of festival headliners even come from?
Want to dive into the full report? Check it out here.
