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'People are forfeiting meals': musicians on the struggle to financially survive [UK]
https://www.theguardian.com/music/article/2024/may/14/people-are-forfeiting-meals-musicians-on-the-struggle-to-financially-survive‘People are forfeiting meals’: musicians on the struggle to financially survive
Following our report into how bands are struggling to make ends meet from touring, over 100 musicians shared their stories with us – from Brexit woes to the cost of rehearsing
Alfie Packham
Tue 14 May 2024 07.20 EDT
Indie rock frontman Sam Griffiths has made a spreadsheet listing the costs of his band’s upcoming tour of Europe. It is a long list.
“Petrol: £750. Merchandise: £2,000. Euro crossings: £400. Van hire: £2,700. Accommodation: £3,500 …”
The running total climbs to £24,990. Meanwhile his income adds up to £14,664, after his agent’s deductions. “I haven’t included little expenses we won’t see coming,” he says. “I’m having to work really hard to make sure that everyone gets paid.”
This kind of admin would normally be done by a tour manager, but Griffiths wants to avoid adding another fee to his nicely formatted document. “My day job is administration for the NHS, so I’m a dab hand at Excel.”
[...]
Following our report into how bands are struggling to make ends meet from touring, over 100 musicians shared their stories with us – from Brexit woes to the cost of rehearsing
Alfie Packham
Tue 14 May 2024 07.20 EDT
Indie rock frontman Sam Griffiths has made a spreadsheet listing the costs of his band’s upcoming tour of Europe. It is a long list.
“Petrol: £750. Merchandise: £2,000. Euro crossings: £400. Van hire: £2,700. Accommodation: £3,500 …”
The running total climbs to £24,990. Meanwhile his income adds up to £14,664, after his agent’s deductions. “I haven’t included little expenses we won’t see coming,” he says. “I’m having to work really hard to make sure that everyone gets paid.”
This kind of admin would normally be done by a tour manager, but Griffiths wants to avoid adding another fee to his nicely formatted document. “My day job is administration for the NHS, so I’m a dab hand at Excel.”
[...]