Fatboy Slim and Massive Attack are amongst the flurry of artists pledging their support for #LetUsDance today (23rd July). A brand new initiative, #LetUsDance is an urgent request from major names in dance music aimed at the UK government for further support for the dance music sector during the coronavirus pandemic. 

Although the UK government awarded the music industry a £1.7b emergency fund after an eruption of protests from fans and musicians alike, it is unconfirmed whether this fund will accommodate electronic dance events, nightclubs, and music festivals. These beloved events kept the dance scene thriving across the country for decades before coronavirus paused life as we knew it.

So far, it does not appear that the government has recognised the importance of funding these music events in the same regard as the performing arts like live music or theatre. Fourtet, Caribou, and Thom Yorke, to name a few, have taken a stand against this by signing the #LetUsDance campaign today.

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#LetUsDance is an urgent plea for the UK Government to recognise that the dance music club and events sector must be protected and recognised as an important part of the nation’s art and culture in parity with the wider Live Music sector. The government narrative to-date on the allocation of this support has not included Dance music clubs, events, and festivals to receive funding from this package for the arts. Dance music clubs and festival culture are a vital part of British heritage as well as generating millions of pounds in revenue for the economy, it adds to the ever-growing nightlife tourism figures boasting 300 million visits a year across the UK. You can add your support by posting your favourite picture from a recent nightclub, festival or event with a note including the hash tag supporting its place within arts and culture.

A post shared by Fatboy Slim (@officialfatboyslim) on Jul 23, 2020 at 7:07am PDT

A follow up to the wider music industry initiative, #LetUsDance comes after the widely influential #LetTheMusicPlay campaign. Launched earlier this year, #LetTheMusicPlay is a bid to save the music industry from complete obliteration by Covid-19.

Some key industry players at the forefront of the #LetTheMusicPlay campaign include The Cure, Coldplay, Johnny Marr, and Nick Cave. Other industry giants that pledged their allegiance to the #LetTheMusicPlay campaign are The Rolling Stones, Dizzee Rascal, and Radiohead. This eclectic mix of artists banded together earlier this year to sign an open letter to Her Majesty’s government demanding instantaneous action to protect the music industry during the Coronavirus crisis.

Bristol-born dance music guru Roni Size also joined #LetUsDance today. Size urged the government to acknowledge the UK dance scene’s worth, financial and otherwise: “We call on the government to recognise this sector as a significant part of the nation’s art and culture, and ensure fair access to the support offered to the wider live music sector. Clubs are being forgotten and the discussion on festivals remains unclear. We need your help and support! I want to see you back on the dance floor soon.”

Association For Electronic Music (AFEM) spokesperson Greg Marshall recently spoke out regarding the dance music sector and the #LetUsDance campaign. Speaking out in a recent press release, Marshall relayed that: “Nightclubs and festivals are the beating heart of the UK dance scene; providing collective joy to millions of fans each year, providing employment and incomes for an interdependent network of hundreds of thousands of people while also contributing hundreds of millions to the economy.” 

However, David Martin, General Manager of the Featured Artists Coalition, relayed his worry for the future of the UK dance music scene. In a recent public statement, Martin said “as many as 38% of artists have fallen through the gaps between income support schemes and have received nothing for almost four months. Those that have had support will soon see that lifeline come to an end.” Artists and music lovers everywhere can only hold out hope that the dance scene won’t be disregarded in wake of the government’s music sector emergency fund.