London’s Loud and Quiet music magazine is one of many struggling during the lock-down which is in place across the UK. Founder Stuart Stubbs wrote a heartfelt message to Twitter followers asking for their support during this time.
Stubbs created Loud and Quiet in 2005, and the magazine has become popular in London as well as many other towns and cities, including New York. Up until 2018, the publication was a free monthly instalment, but it now continues bi-monthly and fans can purchase it online or in-store in exchange for a printed copy.
A statement about the future (or not) of Loud And Quiet. Subscribe to save us: https://t.co/1tAO6KsPU0 pic.twitter.com/BJqIHIuqSa
— Loud And Quiet (@LoudAndQuietMag) April 28, 2020
In his message, Stubbs explained his concerns to readers, saying “Since the Covid-19 crisis hit we’ve been trying to work out how to keep Loud and Quiet going. Or, should I say, if we can keep it going.” April’s edition was not published as planned, for reasons which follow. Firstly, the stores and venues who usually stock the magazine are closed for the time being, and secondly, advertisers have dropped out due to the lack of live shows and record releases at the moment. Another important set-back is the unsustainable market model which is currently in place for the magazine. Though readers can subscribe, there are not enough who are signed up to receive regular copies.
For this reason, the team at Loud and Quiet have created a new subscription package in which fans can pay the small amount of £50 per year for numerous perks. Included will be six editions of Loud and Quiet over the next 12 months; a commemorative zine showcasing the last 15 years of the magazine; a logo bookmark and pin; entry into an ‘Album of the Month’ vinyl draw. Along with this package, subscribers can still listen to the Loud and Quiet podcasts for free.
Stubbs confirmed that if enough people sign up, the releases will continue from August 2020, however, if this does not happen, the instalment which was released in March will be the last. Fans were glad to hear that as of 5th May, Loud and Quiet have achieved half of their subscriber goal – things are looking up, but there’s still a way to go. Readers can subscribe and discover more information via the website.
We are halfway towards our target of new subscribers to keep L&Q alive. Thank you to everyone who’s signed up already. The second 50% is tougher to reach, we’re told, but we’re feeling a lot more positive about it these days. https://t.co/W9ZwdNypgy pic.twitter.com/7ZPUb4aXdf
— Loud And Quiet (@LoudAndQuietMag) May 5, 2020
Covid-19 has had a significant effect on everyone in the music industry, especially independent record stores and magazines. Many musicians have joined campaign ‘Love Record Stores’ in the hopes to save as many as possible. In the current climate, streaming services and the refusal to buy tickets for local gigs has caused many areas of the music industry to crumble, and will continue to do so as long as society maintains its view that art is not worth paying for. One positive point which Stubbs made in his statement was that perhaps there “will be a reset in what we consider a fair price for the things we love.”
