Elbow singer Guy Garvey has hit out at the ongoing ‘pay to play’ system used by some promoters.
For emerging bands, obstacles are often stacked in their way. Once they’ve even got past the rehearsal room, new acts are faced with the problem of finding gigs and avoiding ‘pay to play’ schemes.
‘Pay to play’ is a practice which sees unknown groups gain support slots at local venues by promising to sell a certain amount of tickets. If they can’t sell the tickets, then the unfortunate band have to pay the promoter themselves.
Speaking to the In The City conference, Elbow singer Guy Garvey lashed out at the system. Arguing that it impedes the growth of new acts, the frontman has argued in favour of sanctions against promoters.
“There needs to be something really strong in place if a promoter is found to be ripping off young bands” reports The Guardian. “It’s really, really unfair. It’s basically playing on the hopes and dreams of people who are at the very first hurdle of their musical careers.”
Elbow rose from humble origins, before claiming the Mercury with their 2008 album ‘The Seldom Seen Kid’. Reflecting on their beginnings, Guy Garvey explained the avenues open to young bands.
“Quite often promoters would promise you that scouts would come in from different record labels. So you would put up with anything that they told you to do.”
“If I knew that you could get in touch with the Musicians’ Union and I knew there was someone local who you could report said promoter to, that would be the way to do it. It should be the norm that you don’t get ripped off. I think it should be policed more.”
Elbow are set to release their new album next year.
