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Support for Musicians, Bands and Venues is 'Much-needed to Boost NE Culture' - Gordon MP

Support for Musicians, Bands and Venues is 'Much-needed to Boost NE Culture' - Gordon MP

Published date : 25 August, 2021

A North-east MP has welcomed the announcement from the Scottish Government of a £750,000 fund to bring new and additional concerts to venues and festivals in Scotland next year. 

 

Gordon MP Richard Thomson has said the scheme will provide a much-needed boost for the North-east arts, culture and music scene after being unable to perform live in local venues for so long. 

 

‘Scotland on Tour’ will support the staging of concerts across the whole nation from between January 2022 and January 2023 with participating artists, venues and festivals will be announced later this year. 

 

Commenting, Richard Thomson MP said: 

 

“This is a fantastic initiative which I am pleased to support.   

 

“The last 18 months have undoubtedly been hard for people, for businesses, and for a range of activities.  For music and culture, there is a real danger that it disappears off online and the chance to have live music in real venues recedes with all the accompanying consequences that has for our performers, our halls and venues, and the next generation of performers who will keep music live and our traditional music, in particular, alive. 

 

“This initiative is very much to be welcomed and I strongly encourage artists and venues to register their interest now for when the fund opens to applications.” 

 

Culture Minister Jenny Gilruth MSP said: 

 

“Due to the impact of COVID-19, I know many concerts from 2020 and 2021 have been postponed – leaving little opportunity for artists to perform new concerts in traditional venues or concert halls up until late 2022, or even spring 2023. 

 

“So I am very pleased to announce Scotland on Tour, a fund to help artists, venues and the wider music industry by creating new concert opportunities across Scotland next year. 

 

“The fund is not only an exciting opportunity for artists and venues, but also for Scottish audiences, who will have the chance to see the best of Scottish music right on their doorstep.” 

 


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