Simultaneous protests were held in London and Birmingham
A 400-strong ensemble of freelance musicians has played outside Parliament to highlight the plight of the music industry during the current pandemic.
Violinists Nicola Benedetti and Tasmin Little were among the performers who played a short segment of Mars, from Holst’s The Planets, in central London.
They then held a two-minute silence, to put pressure on the government to give more support to self-employed artists.
A concurrent protest took place outside Birmingham’s Symphony Hall.
The events were organised by the Musicians Union, which represents more than 32,000 performers in the UK.
It says 70% of its members have lost more than three-quarters of their regular work during the lockdown, leaving many in financial hardship.
Freelance musicians, who make up 72% of the sector, are particularly affected. Almost half of them are not eligible for grants under the government’s current self-employed income support scheme, the union says.
Standing in Parliament Square, the protestors played for just 90 seconds – approximately 20% of Holst’s Mars – to represent the maximum of 20% support that eligible freelancers can claim from the government.
Benedetti, who filmed the performance for her Twitter feed, called the moment “unimaginably moving”.
400 freelancers gathered today in parliament square, to state their case. (Safely). Their discipline & the sound created brought tears. They are viable & visible and desperate to safely get back to work! work with them #freelancers #letmusiclive @letmusicliveuk #mars https://t.co/YgeTj7KpZY
— Nicola Benedetti (@NickyBenedetti) October 6, 2020
Keith Ames of the Musicians Union, added that concert work is looking scarce “over Christmas and probably through ’til March”.
“That would mean a complete year with no work,” he added.
“Many musicians are facing retraining, many are talking about leaving the country,” Benedetti told the BBC. “That’s not just fabrication, that’s a real-life situation that we don’t want to see happen.
“This is not just about saying we want hand-outs, it’s about everybody talking and finding a way out of this that is safe, but that looks to preserve music [and] performance long-term.”
‘Adapt to new reality’
The protest came as chancellor Rishi Sunak was asked about the plight of musicians, and suggested they might have to find alternative jobs.
“I can’t pretend that everyone can do exactly the same job that they were doing at the beginning of this crisis,” he told ITV News. “Everyone is having to adapt.
“Theatre companies are adapting and putting on different types of performances. Plenty of music lessons are still carrying on.
“So, can things happen in exactly the way they did? No. But everyone is having to find ways to adapt and adjust to the new reality.”
Mr Sunak also highlighted the government’s £1.57bn rescue package for the arts – although that money is principally being distributed to museums, galleries and venues, rather than individuals.
The first announcement on how the recovery fund would be distributed was due on Monday (5 October), but has been delayed by a week for “additional due diligence”.
‘Red alert’
Shortly after Tuesday’s protest ended, a debate on the fate of the live events industry took place in the House of Commons.
MPs used the session to outline the perilous state of the music industry as well as the threat of closure hanging over theatres and venues.
Venues like Wigmore Hall have opened with social distancing rules in place, but the live music sector is in a perilous positionThe debate was secured by Conservative MP Nickie Aiken, whose Cities of London and Westminster constituency includes a number of music venues.
She said it was “vital to consider the impact that theatres, music venues and other cultural attractions have on their communities”, not just financially, but in terms of “community benefit and wellbeing”.
The debate won the support of music industry body UK Music, which says coronavirus has “wiped out at least £900m of the £1.1bn that live music was expected to contribute to the UK economy in 2020”.
While some venues, including London’s O2 Arena and The Sage in Gateshead have announced plans to open at reduced capacity, smaller grassroots venues are said to be on “red alert”.
“We’ve been dangling our feet off the edge of the cliff for the last six months,” said Mark Davyd, chief of the Music Venue Trust last week.
“We can’t leave communities and artists permanently locked out from live music after this temporary lockdown is over. We need a Plan B. We need to reopen every venue safely.”
RUAN-Badkid.96 is a Nigerian recording artist whose music refuses to live inside a single genre. Blending Afrobeat, Afrofusion, trap, hip-hop, melodic rap, R&B, and global influences, he creates records that move effortlessly between raw street energy, soulful storytelling, and infectious melodies. Whether delivering hard-hitting bars, emotional love songs, or rhythm-driven African records, his sound is defined by authenticity rather than limitation.
Inspired by both African culture and international music, RUAN-Badkid.96 embraces the confidence and ambition of global hip-hop while staying deeply connected to his roots. His lyrics explore love, heartbreak, betrayal, friendship, social injustice, hope, and the everyday realities of life. He doesn’t create music to follow trends, he creates music to reflect truth, emotion, and human experience.
Behind his fearless image is an artist who believes in kindness, equality, justice, and genuine human connection. His appearance may be intimidating, but his message is rooted in compassion and authenticity. Every record carries a piece of his journey, proving that strength and vulnerability can exist in the same voice.
For RUAN-Badkid.96, music is more than entertainment, it’s a language, a testimony, and a lifelong mission to connect with people through honesty, versatility, and unforgettable sound.
Entertainment Gists
Meet the Man Who Turned Hype Into a Science: Emmy Blaq, Nigeria’s G.O.A.T. of Hype
If you have ever been at a Nigerian event and found yourself on your feet before the main act even stepped on stage, there is a good chance a hype man was responsible. But not just any hype man. Emmy Blaq, born Ikechukwu Emmanuel Chima and raised in Auchi, Edo State, has spent the last few years quietly becoming the most talked-about name in that profession, and the Nigerian press has taken notice. Punch, Vanguard, The Guardian Nigeria, The Nation, and Independent Newspaper have all sat down with him, and every conversation leads back to the same thing: this man does not just make noise; he makes moments.
What makes Emmy Blaq different is the journey behind the energy. Before the stages, the collaborations with Waje on her “Waje 2.0” album, DJ Consequence, and DJ Kaywise on the massively streamed “Joor Party Mix” series, he was repairing generators, cutting hair, and sewing clothes in Auchi. His first professional hype gig happened at a local fast food spot called Valchi, and the crowd response that night changed everything. He told The Nation directly: “My passion for entertainment and desire to make people happy led me into the craft.” Punch also captured his bigger mission when he said that hype men deserve more than what they currently earn, a statement that sparked a real conversation across Nigerian entertainment circles.
With over 1.7 million TikTok followers, 23.6 million TikTok likes, a viral “Wife Material” challenge that landed on Pulse Nigeria’s top ten social media moments of 2021, and an international performance at the Cameroon International Music Festival that Cameroonian media described as electrifying, Emmy Blaq is not building toward something. He is already there. The G.O.A.T. of Hype is not a title he gave himself and hoped would stick. It is one the rooms keep confirming every single time he grabs the mic.
MANAGER PROFILE
Uncle Wisdom is a Lagos-based music executive and visionary leader known for blending structure, strategy, and creativity in artist management. With a background in Mathematics and Statistics from UNICROSS formerly, Cross River University Of Technology. He brings analytical precision into talent development, positioning artists for both creative excellence and commercial success.
CAREER JOURNEY
Began his career in 2017 as an event coordinator for Eksu Olofofo, where he gained foundational experience in live events and audience engagement. By 2018, he transitioned into full-time artist management, driven by a clear goal to build a more structured and results-oriented system within the music industry.
In 2019, Started working as a road manager for Barry Jhay, gaining hands-on experience in touring, logistics, and artist operations, a refined career and mental awareness coach . He was also instrumental behind Barry Jhay’s 2025 sold-out homecoming concert, a key moment that fueled momentum for a successful UK tour, including sold-out shows in London and Birmingham.
PHLOX MGMT
Founded from the ground up, Phlox Mgmt is a forward-thinking management company focused on Career coaching, A&R, artist development, and strategic positioning. The company is built on a clear philosophy:
Develop the sound. Define the brand. Position the artist to win.
Phlox Mgmt has connections with @Roadgod_of Roadgod Agency and connects artists with top-tier producers, engineers, and creatives, ensuring a refined sound and strong market presence. The company continues to grow as a trusted platform for emerging and established talent.
INDUSTRY NETWORK & COLLABORATIONS
Uncle Wisdom has built valuable relationships across the industry, working with and alongside talents such as:
Barry Jhay • Asake • Ceeza Milli • Berri Tiga • Laime • Spellz • and many others
LEADERSHIP APPROACH
John Wisdom operates with a long-term vision, focusing on structure, consistency, and execution. His approach goes beyond traditional management he builds systems around artists that support sustainable growth, strong branding, and global competitiveness.
CONTACT & SOCIALS
Instagram & X: @Johnwisdm @phlox_mgmt
TikTok: @unclewisdom7
Email: phloxentertainment@gmail.com
Phone: 08038448478 | 09015668027
-
Audio10 years agoPage – Day Break Everywhere Burst
-
Audio5 years agoShadykarz – Forever
-
Audio10 years agoJuniorboy ft. 9ice – IRAPADA
-
Entertainment Gists5 years agoEx-Beauty Queen, Sandra Benede Shares Sexy Photo
-
Audio5 years agoSimi – Happy Birthday ft. Adekunle Gold, DeJa
-
Audio5 years agoRuger – Bounce
-
Mixtapes4 years agoMixtape: DJ DimpleNipple – The Best Of Amapiano Thrills
-
Editorials3 years agoSa’eedah Imam On Creating Her Imprint In The Nigerian Music Industry As An Emerging Creative Writer