Central Bristol illuminated red once again in support of #WeMakeEvents campaign

Central Bristol illuminated red once again in support of #WeMakeEvents campaign

Posted on: 13 Oct 2020

Over 200 events professionals welcomed The Survival Tour to the city amid the ongoing campaign.

 

Members of Bristol's events industry came together yesterday in support of the #WeMakeEvents campaign, greeting The Survival Tour cycling team at landmark venues across the city to raise awareness of the struggling sector.

 

Made up of five industry professionals, plus another driving a support bus, The Survival Tour are cycling between 80 and 125km per day to stop off at 100 of the UK's most iconic festival and performance venues, all of which have been unable to reopen since lockdown.

 

The tour aims to raise awareness of the plight of over a million events workers in the UK, and raise funds for the #WeMakeEvents campaign's chosen charity, Backup, which provides support for affected employees, freelancers and their families.

 

 

In recognition of the tour's arrival in Bristol yesterday, members of the industry gathered in protest on St Augustine's Parade, each holding their own red light in solidarity with campaigners nationwide.

 

Representatives from across the city's creative community, from Upfest and St Paul's Carnival to Crosstown Concerts, Tokyo World, Bristol Sounds, Bristol Open Doors, Theatre Bath and many more, were in attendance.

 

A selection of the city's venues - Motion, the O2 Academy, Bristol Beacon, The Louisiana, Thekla and the Bristol Hippodrome - also lit their buildings in red to show their support, with lighting installations provided by Utopium and Evans Staging.

 

Speaking during yesterday's demonstration, Todd Wills, Artistic Director of Bristol Beacon, said: “As a city, Bristol is full of creatives, musicians, producers, organisers and venues, responsible for many of the UK’s flagship events.

 

"The #WeMakeEvents fundraising is critical for individuals in crisis and we’re proud to play our part and stand with every part of the industry today.”

 

 

As a creative and cultural hub of the UK, Bristol is home to hundreds of renowned venues and festivals, bringing upwards of £300 million into the local economy annually and employing over 40,000 people.

 

The current state of the UK's events industry - and the lack of adequate support from the government - since the beginning of lockdown has been brought into sharp focus by the #WeMakeEvents campaign, but there is still work to be done to safeguard the livelihoods of thousands of people employed in the industry.

 

For more information, or to show your support, head to the #WeMakeEvents website, consider a contribution to their fundraising page or follow updates on social media.

 

Venue and business owners affected by the ongoing coronavirus crisis are encouraged to visit the #WeMakeEvents support page.

 

Main Image: Colin Moody for Plaster

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Article by:

Matt Robson

 

Editor - 365Bristol.com & LOUD Magazine
 

Matt is a Journalism graduate and writer, passionate about supporting Bristol music, art and independent business. Get in touch via email at matt@365bristol.com.