Industry views
SEPTEMBER | AGENDA
“While this is a
challenging time for
everyone – the live
events business in
particular – we are well
positioned to weather
this crisis.”
Thousands gather for ‘Red Alert’ protest in London
Thousands of event professionals seeing the huge crowds dressed in
gathered along London’s
red was a bittersweet one: “I think
Southbank on Tuesday 11 August, to we had about 2,800 people register
demonstrate the critical condition of in the end, and about another
the events industry.
1,000 walk ups who didn’t register.
Eventprofs in red shirts lined the When I saw all these people in red
entire Southbank from Westminster I thought: “Ah, it’s fantastic to see
to the Tate Modern, as part of
so many people come out. But then
the #WeMakeEvents ‘Red Alert’ the follow up thought is: ‘every one
campaign. They came from all
of these people is an unemployed
corners of the events industry, technician.’”
including the live music, festival,
White Light partnered with
exhibition and conference sectors. fellow suppliers Event Concept
Access deputy editor Stuart and TSL, collectively contributing
Wood was on site and took some around 1,000 red lights to the day of
pictures which can be viewed - action. The White Light team were
alongside the official photos from stationed at the Tate Modern, at the
the event – in our gallery on p32. end of the Southbank route.
At the same time across the UK, Raven added: “Our technical
event venues and landmarks were director wasn’t so happy about us
lit up in red, while marches and lending out hundreds of lights for
demonstrations saw eventprofs free – he was worried we wouldn’t
coming out in full force. In
get them back. But every single
Manchester, production staff
one came back. It was all for a good
marched their flight cases through cause.”
city centre streets while wearing
The mood at the London
red.
event was one of togetherness
In London, a barge bearing a and celebration, although
bright red #WeMakeEvents logo it underscored the financial
sailed down the Thames, ahead difficulties and struggles being
of a boat filled with politicians and faced by the events sector.
journalists who had been invited to Eventprofs waved their phones,
attend by the Professional Lighting lit with red lights, while cheering
and Sound Association (PLASA), and chatting to each other. Many
which organised the day of action. brought speakers and played
Bryan Raven, who was also on music – one on Waterloo bridge
the boat, is managing director of played ‘Another One Bites the Dust’
lighting and production supplier by Queen, which drew some ironic
White Light. He said his reaction to appreciation from those nearby.
Live Nation CEO and
president Michael
Rapino, as revenue
drops 98% year on year
in Q2
“We’re moving heaven and
Earth to make sure that we
do [go ahead in 2021], but
that doesn’t necessarily
mean it’s going to happen.
That’s just wishful thinking.”
Glastonbury founder
Michael Eavis says a 2021
festival is no guarantee
“[By] embracing the new
normal, enhanced by new
technology, the industry will
bounce back in a big way.”
Veteran promoter Rob
Hallett, whose Robomagic
Live has left Live Nation
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