{"id":42012,"date":"2020-12-02T23:17:50","date_gmt":"2020-12-02T23:17:50","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/thevoiceoflondon.co.uk\/?p=42012"},"modified":"2020-12-02T23:17:50","modified_gmt":"2020-12-02T23:17:50","slug":"save-our-scene-to-protest-lack-of-support-for-musicians-during-covid-19","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.westminster.ac.uk\/thevoiceoflondon\/save-our-scene-to-protest-lack-of-support-for-musicians-during-covid-19\/","title":{"rendered":"Save Our Scene to protest lack of support for musicians during COVID-19"},"content":{"rendered":"

Two-wheeled protesters gathered outside the Marble Arch station on Wednesday 2 December to raise awareness of those musicians who have as yet received no financial support from the UK government during the COVID-19 pandemic.<\/strong><\/p>\n

More than 200 people on bicycles weaved through streets of Central London on Wednesday evening, chanting “Save Our Scene” the night England enters a tougher version of its three tier system of restrictions.<\/p>\n

Followed by a DJ, sitting in a jeep, revellers marched to Parliament Square. The DJ kept the music going throughout, changing genres from jungle, house to sing-along tunes.<\/p>\n

George Fleming, the 26-year-old organiser of the protest SOS told the Voice of London: “We are trying to remind people about the music industry during the pandemic.<\/p>\n

We hear different sectors struggling, yet music is being swept under the rug.”<\/p>\n

As well as putting pressure on the government to act – Save Our Scene is also raising money for the Help Musicians COVID support fund.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Photo by: Monika Laimaite<\/p><\/div>\n

Lorena, who biked along with her two DJ friends, told the Voice of London: “Everyone is in such a good spirit, the government must step up to bring our lives back.”<\/p>\n

She added: “This reminded me of how much I truly miss loud music and the dancing floor.”<\/p>\n

Many musicians and artists have fallen through the gaps of government support, leaving many with no income since March, which inspired campaigners to bring attention to the suffering music sector.<\/p>\n

The protest obeyed with current coronavirus restrictions including wearing masks and imposing social distancing.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Photo by: Monika Laimaite<\/p><\/div>\n

Fleming himself was surprised for the turnout and mentioned he has plans to hold a Christmas themed protest the next time. Save Our Scene is planning to protest for as long as it will take for the government to take action.<\/p>\n

Save Our Scene march in action:<\/strong><\/h3>\n