‘Tidal wave of redundancies’ coming for ‘forgotten’ Manchester music industry, claims Nightlife Adviser
Rishi Sunak's latest support scheme will replace furlough from November 1, but according to members of the Manchester music sector, these new measures do not protect employees.
The Chancellor has been accused of ‘turning his back’ on music and nightlife in Britain – with key figures in Manchester responding in dismay to his new winter economy package.
Speaking in the House of Commons on Thursday (24 September), Rishi Sunak said his latest package – which involves subsidising wages of staff working fewer hours than normal – aimed to prevent mass redundancies in a challenging economic climate.
The new support scheme will replace furlough from November 1, but according to members of the Manchester music sector, these new measures do not do enough to protect employees.
The Chancellor admitted he “could not save every job”, and the music industry is concerned they will continue to be hit hardest.
According to nightlife representatives, the music sector has been left “forgotten”.
While these new financial aid measures are helpful, they do not go far enough to keep many businesses viable, and I predict a tidal wave of redundancies across the UK night time economy as we enter the end of the year.
Sacha Lord, the Nighttime Economy Adviser for Greater Manchester, responded in detail to the Chancellor’s statement on Twitter, predicting that the lack of support would result in “a tidal wave of redundancies” nationwide.
“While these new financial aid measures are helpful, they do not go far enough to keep many businesses viable…” commented Lord.
“At the start of the crisis, the Chancellor assured us he would stick by all businesses, but today has turned his back on this commitment. Live Music Venues, Nightclubs, Musicians, Performers, Freelancers, Events. All forgotten.
“In hospitality alone, there are 900,000 workers still on furlough, and a further 1.3million people across the UK work within the nightclub industry. For many operators, it will be easier to remove these individuals from payrolls completely than go under.”
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The Parklife and Warehouse Project founder added: “We need reassurance that the workers who will inevitably be out of work will be able to claim benefits easily and quickly, that they can apply for retraining schemes, grants and initiatives where possible, and that their mental health will be supported throughout this time.
“Those caught in the midst of local outbreaks, including the hospitality operators in Bolton who have been forced to close, will undoubtedly suffer and the local lockdown support packages will not be enough to maintain their survival.”
The government also announced a Bounce Back Loan Scheme (BBLS) as part of the winter package – which “enables smaller businesses to access finance more quickly during the coronavirus outbreak.”
However, this has also gone down like a lead balloon with local performers.
Hacienda legend Graeme Park called the government response “absolutely disgraceful”.
Speaking directly to the Chancellor, the DJ asked: “Why should I take out a ‘bounce back loan’ when my main source of income has completely disappeared? How do I pay it back when I receive zero financial support from the government and my sector remains closed?”
So, @RishiSunak why should I take out a “bounce back loan” when my main source of income has completely disappeared? How do I pay it back when I receive zero financial support from the government and my sector remains closed? Absolutely disgraceful. #ForgottenLtd#ExcludedUK
The Music Venue Trust has also denounced the government package, with CEO Mark Davyd claiming that “no part” of the sector is in a position to take advantage of the latest support.
“The new job support programme is built around the premise of returning to work, and employers returning to some level of income arising from that work to support those workers,” said Davyd.
“The government has made it clear that it does not believe that the time is right for the live music industry to return to work, and where limited events, under substantial restrictions, are permitted, the income generated is insufficient to meet any of the government targets for employer contributions.
“Bluntly, no part of the live music industry is in a position to pay 55% of its employees salaries in order to access the government support which is entirely conditional on doing that.”
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Oasis merch prices as huge flagship stand opens in Manchester city centre
Daisy Jackson
An official Oasis merch stand has opened in the heart of Manchester, selling all the Gallagher-printed wares your heart could desire.
The Oasis Live ‘25 Touring Flagship Stand has sprung up on St Peter’s Square today, where it will remain for the duration of the Manchester reunion shows.
Stacked with everything from band tees to bucket hats, plus posters, tote bags, and that exclusive adidas x Oasis collection, the merch stand is already pulling in some serious queues.
And with a few days still to go until Oasis Live ‘25 hits Heaton Park (those dates, if they aren’t burned into your brain, are 11, 12, 16, 19 and 20 July) there’s still plenty more time to shop.
The merch stand has opened in addition to the official merch fan store across town in Spinningfields.
And it’s at the heart of the Music for the Senses art trail, which has seen painted guitar artworks installed all over the city centre.
Back to that Oasis merch stand in Manchester though – there are pieces from their adidas collection, including a sky blue (obviously) three-stripe long-sleeved jersey for £55, a tour jacquard football jersey for £85, and a classic Firebird track top for £90.
Event-specific merch like t-shirts in various colours emblazoned with the Oasis Live ‘25 artwork will set you back £40, and you can choose from photos of the brothers back together in 2025, or back in their pre-split heyday.
Oasis merch prices as huge flagship stand opens in Manchester city centre
There’s also a £70 black hoody with the tour dates on the sleeve, plus a What’s The Story blue-tone hoody for £70, and a blue tone sweatshirt for £50.
A range of posters starring Liam and Noel are priced at £40 apiece.
There’s an Oasis Live ‘25 tote bag for sale at the merch stand in town, which costs £20.
Then the most Manc item of all – a reversible bucket hat (black on one side with the Oasis logo in the centre, or a collage of Oasis logos on the other side) – is £35.
The stand is home to city-specific event items, exclusive adidas lines, and other exclusives.
The Oasis Live ’25 Touring Flagship Stand is open from 10am to 8pm Monday to Saturday, and 11am to 6pm on Sundays, then 10am to 7pm on Oasis show days.
Levi’s are the latest fashion brand to launch an Oasis collection
Danny Jones
In case you missed it amid the tidal wave of merch currently flooding our feeds and shops everywhere, global fashion brand Levi’s has become the latest label to launch an Oasis collection.
With the Live ’25 world tour now officially underway, it feels like not only are Oasis back on top, but that there’s a large-scale Britpop revival happening here in the UK and overseas.
In terms of fashion, the 1990s and early 2000s style has been steadily making its way into contemporary culture once again in recent years, but with seemingly every big name trying to hop on the marketing machine that is the Oasis reunion bandwagon, you can’t move for crossover.
Be they official collaborations like the one with Manchester City, adidas Originals; American fashion brand Abercrombie & Fitch bashing out merch, or a local t-shirt maker on Bury Market, that famous logo is absolutely everywhere – cue Levi’s latest launch:
Releasing just five or five main pieces (not including individual item variations), Levi’s Oasis gear has been kept pretty straightforward, simply relying on a less is more philosophy and the quality that the denim specialists are renowned for.
Nevertheless, there is an undeniably 90s feel to the approach.
As well as the standard Oasis band tee design, available in the brand’s main red, white and blue colour, as well as black, white and light blue – the Manchester City influences never stray too far, after all – there are a couple of other types of tee.
However, while we’re sure plenty of people might have a penchant for the parka, the undeniable star of the show for us is the Type II Trucker Jacket with the group’s name and ‘Live Forever’ stitched on the breast pocket.
Still, at £170, these sure-to-be collectors’ items don’t come cheap, and that’s not even the most expensive in the Levi’s x Oasis collection. Regardless, if you fancy treating yourself, you can find them here in Manchester and at the likes of The Trafford Centre.
Any of it pique your interest?
Don’t worry if not because, as mentioned, there is absolutely tonnes of Oasis clobber at various different price points all over the place at the minute.