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Record producers have lost 70% of their income due to COVID-19 crisis, says MPG

By | Published on Friday 27 March 2020

Recording studio

The UK’s Music Producers Guild has published the results of a survey of its membership that illustrates the impact the COVID-19 crisis is having on the studio, producer and sound engineer community.

As measures to restrict and delay the spread of COVID-19 have increased in recent weeks, studios have been hit in the same way as venues and record shops. Many are now in temporary shutdown, including some of the country’s highest profile recording studio complexes like Abbey Road and Air Studios in London, and Parr Street Studios in Liverpool.

According to MPG’s survey of its membership, producers and sound engineers have, on average, lost 70% of their income as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, with many having to stop work altogether. The average loss of earnings in March was £3300, rising to £4300 in April. More than half of those surveyed say they will default on rent or mortgage payments in three months or less, and many are unable to cover the cost of their studio premises.

It’s hoped that many of those negatively impacted within this community in the UK will be able to access the grants announced last night for the self-employed. Though it remains to be seen how many producers qualify for that support, plus – like the rest of the music community – waiting until June for payment will be problematic for many.

Other measures may also be required to ensure the country’s studio network can survive the enforced shutdown. The MPG noted that if its members “lose their studios and equipment they will never get back into the industry, and the UK will lose huge swathes of talent”.



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