Received from: MU
Touring theatre productions and some West End musicals are increasingly using technology to replace live musicians or reduce band sizes. ‘Key comp’ is a system that can be played by keyboard players to replicate the sounds of various musical instruments. This is something Musicians’ Union (MU) members, including keyboard players, are very concerned about.
At a time when streaming royalties are so low and AI poses an increasing risk to musicians’ careers, we must fight to maintain live musicians’ jobs in the theatre. And we know live music is what audiences want and expect.
The live experience of theatre is special and unique and supports creative jobs across musicians, actors, technicians and other professionals. The UK punches well above its weight in live theatre, and we must not allow this incredible industry to be watered down.
We call on the TUC to:
i. support the MU’s Keep Music Live campaign and individual workplace campaigns when live music is replaced with recordings on theatrical productions
ii. write to the secretary of state for culture to emphasise the importance of an increase in arts funding, which has been at a standstill for many years, in order to properly fund the live experience.
Musicians’ Union