An uncertain future amid the COVID-19 pandemic has prompted entertainment industry gig workers to take to the streets of Manchester. More than 300 venues are also participating in the demonstration, dubbed #RedAlert, by installing red-tinted lighting in their spaces.
Wielding signs with slogans such as “Without us there are no events” and “First industry to stop, last to return” were security staff, audio engineers, cleaners and tour managers. The marches were not confined to Manchester. According to BBC, the Aberdeen Arts Centre and the Britannia Panopticon Music Hall in Glasgow as well as the The Mac in Belfast, and the Blackwood Miners’ Institute in south Wales have also been lit up in red.
Peter Gabriel, Imogen Heap and The Cure have also cast their support. “Without major, immediate support from government, the entire live events sector supply chain is at risk of collapse,” said the latter act in a joint statement.
Last month, the U.K. government announced a £1.57 billion cultural relief fund – some of which they have said will go towards gig workers.
Image credit: Alexander Popov
