London Olympics & Unpaid Musicians

Subject: London Olympics & Unpaid Musicians
From: Vic Smith
Date: 30 Apr 12 - 04:47 PM

There has been a lot of reports in the media and blogs on the internet saying that no musician will be paid for taking part in any official event at the London Olympics and that the musicians should be prepared to do it for free "for the exposure". Here is an example from The Stage.

The trouble is that all that I have read seems to be second hand accounts of what might have been said to musicians who have been approached to play.

Come anyone come up an official statement from the Olympic Committee saying that this is the case so that I can get properly angry?

Subject: RE: London Olympics & Unpaid Musicians
From: the lemonade lady
Date: 30 Apr 12 - 06:01 PM

What's new? We are expected to entertain at festivals for the free ticket. The least a festival could do is offer food and drink tokens, I think.

Subject: RE: London Olympics & Unpaid Musicians
From: GUEST, DTM
Date: 30 Apr 12 - 06:42 PM

Do the athletes get paid/sponsered? Do the cameramen get paid? Do the commentators get paid? Do the officials get paid? Of course not, so why should musicians be any different? ;-)

Subject: RE: London Olympics & Unpaid Musicians
From: EBarnacle
Date: 30 Apr 12 - 08:29 PM

I suspect that DTM has his toungue firmly in cheek. All of the answers except the last is "Of course." Musicians, however, do not seem to understand that you cannot eat exposure and that unlike a "By appointment to HRH Queen Elizabeth" is unlikely to bring in any business.

Subject: RE: London Olympics & Unpaid Musicians
From: Sandy Mc Lean
Date: 01 May 12 - 01:17 AM

The Olympics run on bribes. If you can't pay the man his tithe you can't share in the Bonanza!

Subject: RE: London Olympics & Unpaid Musicians
From: banjoman
Date: 01 May 12 - 05:24 AM

The olympics is the second greatest non event of the decade (The first is the Jubilee) all intended to sweeten the pill of extremism from this government. Its about time a few more people realised this.

Subject: RE: London Olympics & Unpaid Musicians
From: Chris Green
Date: 01 May 12 - 07:18 AM

You can die of exposure....

Subject: RE: London Olympics & Unpaid Musicians
From: Bonzo3legs
Date: 01 May 12 - 07:28 AM

It's great exposure for flat chested women!

Subject: RE: London Olympics & Unpaid Musicians
From: greg stephens
Date: 01 May 12 - 07:35 AM

Here is a bit of relevant chapter and verse for Vic Smith. It is connected with a Jubilee Event, not the Olympics, but the same principles apply (the Musicians Union has asked members to report pressure put on them to perform for free, either at Olympic or Jubilee events).
This letter is from a council arts officer: I have deleted anything that identifies council or event, I am not finger-pointing here, just making people aware what is going on. It is an event I, and many others, have performed at many times over the years for an adequate, if not princely, fee.

"Hi all
I understand there are opportunities to perform/promote your organisation at this event in June - see attachments - Audiences are expected to exeed 10,000 over the weekend. There is still space for arts activities ....the organisers are still looking for additional creative content that can be provided free of charge."

Subject: RE: London Olympics & Unpaid Musicians
From: Leadfingers
Date: 01 May 12 - 09:32 AM

If any one is daft enough to line someone elses pockets and get Damn All for it thats up to them , but I cant see ANY Pro Muso getting involved
.
'Proper' Charity events are a different matter .