Belfast Council is to look at setting up a music fund for Belfast musicians and venues based on the 'Bristol Nights' model devised by a council in England.
SDLP Councillor Séamas de Faoite has successfully proposed that Belfast City Council engage with Bristol Nights with a view to adding a one percent surcharge on live music tickets to create a fund for the music scene in Belfast.
Councillor de Faoite said at the February meeting of the council’s City Growth and Regeneration Committee: “Bristol Nights have done a feasibility study in relation to the foundation of the Bristol Music Fund. Effectively what they have done is work with all of their stakeholders, venues, promoters, producers etcetera to place a one percent addition to tickets for all live music in the city of Bristol.
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“They haven't started the scheme yet but they are in the process of implementing it. Their intention is to use the funds that are raised to support music within the city, particularly in relation to independent venues, to the promotion of music with young people, and the development of music skills.
“Considering the number of conversations a number of us have had, that (Green) Councillor Brian Smyth and myself have had with certain music venues, and given some of the programmes in the city, there is a real and dire need for sustainable support.”
He added: “There is plenty the council has already done, in things such as the UNESCO City of Music etcetera, but I think this would be a worthwhile piece of engagement with Bristol Nights. To see if we could replicate something similar here, and to see what they had to do to get their feasibility study of the ground. If there is a collaboration to be done, we should do it.”
Sinn Féin Councillor Conor McKay: “I would be very interested in access to music for people who don’t come from musical families, who come from lower income families, if that would be something that could be explored in this.
“I appreciate this (fund) would support artists, but artists know who to go to and to what institutions. I want to know if there is a way to bring people in who are not so au fait with it all.”
Councillor de Faoite said: “That is part of what is covered in the Bristol Nights (project). They talk about what their guiding principles are in terms of external access to music. It is definitely part of it, and it is core to it. The only way to grow the sector is by getting more people involved.”
A council officer said officials had previously contacted Bristol over the Belfast UNESCO music city status, and would continue conversations on Bristol Nights. The officer said they would also look closely at a new Glasgow Council one pound levy on “supergigs” which then goes back into a smaller venue trust fund for the city.
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