Some of the biggest names among British musicians have sent an open letter, as well as a petition, both addressed to British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, demanding reform in music streaming.
The list of musicians that signed both the open letter and the petition numbers some 150 artists. The list includes such big names as Paul McCartney, Led Zeppelin, The Who’s Roger Daltrey, Chris Martin of Coldplay, Peter Gabriel, Stevie Nicks, and Brian Eno, among others.
As Digitial Music News reminds, Nadine Shah, one of the signatories appeared before the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee back in November of 2020, as part of an investigation into streaming royalties. During the remote testimony – one of several that the House of Commons select committee heard – the “Trad” creator said that she was struggling to pay her rent despite having more than 100,000 monthly listeners on Spotify.
The open letter takes aim at “streaming platforms, record labels, and other internet giants,” which the authors say “have exploited performers and creators without rewarding them fairly.”
“Today’s musicians receive very little income from their performances – most featured artists receive tiny fractions of a US cent per stream and session musicians receive nothing at all,” the letter continues.
The letter concludes that, “[u]ltimately, though, we need a regulator to ensure the lawful and fair treatment of music makers.”
