❗Northern Ireland’s restrictive alcohol licensing rules are making it harder for new music venues to open and for musicians to earn a living
Research by the @UniversityOfStirling shows that the current system - “a one-in-one-out system designed to limit the number of licensed outlets” - is outdated, restrictive and no longer fit for purpose
Support @FreeTheNightNI 's campaign to change it
✍️ Sign their open letter in our linktree
🔁 Share this post
#FreeTheNight
Image description: a carousel with two slides featuring photos from venues taken from inside the audience and yellow and white text.
Slide one: sepia toned venue from the audience. In the background is smoke and lighting. In the foreground are audience members. In the centre someone waves their arm in the air. In the lower left corner is all caps yellow and white text: "We Support Free the Night. Sign the open letter." The "N" and "I" are highlighted for "Northern Ireland."
Slide two: black and green toned photo from the audience. In the background, green lights shoot upwards. In the foreground are audience members. In the lower right corner is all caps yellow and white text: "I Support Free the Night. Sign the open letter." The "N" and "I" are highlighted for "Northern Ireland."
#LiveMusic #MusicVenue #FairPlayVenue #Belfast #Derry #Musician #MusiciansUnion
✨ A little reminder for this Sunday ✨
We’ve made it to the final stage to win £2500 for Rosetta Primary School and it now comes down to an in person vote at City Hall 🙌
📅 Sunday 10 May
📍 Belfast City Hall
⏰ 2pm to 5pm
👉 It’s really simple to support:
✔️ Pop down to City Hall
✔️ Head to the Rosetta Together stall
✔️ Cast your vote
That’s it, it only takes a few minutes but makes a huge difference 💛
👨👩👧 Kids can vote too so bring them along!
✨ If we win it means funding towards a big community event for our school so every single vote really counts
There will also be a great atmosphere on the day with music, face painting and family friendly activities and some families are planning to bring a picnic so feel free to make an afternoon of it 🧺
If you are free we would love to see you there. Bring friends, family, neighbours anyone who can help 🙏
Thank you so much for all the support so far 💛
I've been tracking lots of chat on this and it feels important (to me) to highlight the issues I feel musicians who perform in grassroots music venues should be paying most attention to.
Link in my bio.
Open to ALL musicians 📢 come share your experiences.
It would appear there is an issue and we want to work through the options so musicians can access safe and affordable options when working in the city.
I find myself increasingly frustrated by the receding nature of workable ground for musicians.
I typically go to the gym to run out some of the frustrations so it doesn't eat me up inside. But the issues have followed me inside my gym.
In the worst case, this will spread some awareness of this quiet curtail. In the best case scenario, there will be any fight back.
Full version in my bio.
If you are a Musicians Union member this is FREE. If you aren't a member yet - hit me up and lets talk.
Making sure your equipment is safe is essential basic maintenance for all musicians. Book via link in bio.
Don't do yourself or others harm 💀
Do a PAT test ✅
Musicians in Northern Ireland must unite to win the fight. Join the @wearethemu take the training, help build better for our community. Link in story / bio.
Welcome back to the #OhYeahGuestBlog where each month we'll be hearing from some of the brightest voices in our local music scene ✍️
This time it is Charlene Hegarty @doubledotes . Charlene's music industry career began at the age of 17 and last year she was appointed as the first permanent @wearethemu officer in Northern Ireland. You can read her full piece on our blog at the link in our bio 👆
