chief warns 'still a long road ahead' for music industry after Boris Johnson announcement

UK Music Acting CEO Tom Kiehl has welcomed Boris Johnson’s announcement that indoor live music performances can resume from August 1 with social distancing restrictions as “an important step”.

However, he warned that the UK music industry, which contributes £5.2 billion a year to the UK economy and sustains 190,000 jobs, still faced a long haul before it was back on its feet.

UK Music Acting CEO Tom Kiehl said:

“It’s an important step to now have a date for reopening live performances with social distancing in indoor venues, but there is still a long road ahead for musicians, performers and the sector as a whole.

“The Government needs to continue to working with the industry as a whole so we can get back to live events and let the music play.”