In aid of Stagehand's #ILoveLive campaign, Simple Minds are raising money for UK stage crew affected by the pandemic.
by Simple Minds in United Kingdom
Thank you for your support in helping us raise £11,650 for stage crew impacted by the pandemic.
The #ILoveLive 2.0 campaign raised a total of £373,136 for Stagehand Charity, who will now distribute the funds to UK stage crew who have suffered due to Covid-19.
Since the initiative launched in November 2020 an incredible £908,976 has been raised across all #ILoveLive campaigns.
The winner of the prize draw has now been confirmed. Many congratulations Peter from Garran, Australia.
Thanks again. We hope to see you all again very soon.
Simple Minds raising money for stage crew charity Stagehand’s #ILoveLive campaign, which is providing financial help for all UK stage crew who are in the greatest need. Stage crew seem to be the forgotten ones in the current pandemic. They’re the unsung heroes of the live entertainment world. Without them shows just couldn’t happen.
The impact of Covid-19 has been devastating for the whole music industry but particularly for the stage techs, sound engineers, guitar techs, keyboard techs, drum techs, stage managers, production managers, tour managers and other live support personnel who make shows possible.
With no shows since March 2020, crew’s income has been slashed with many finding that they are ineligible for any kind of government financial aid. Many are in desperate need and most are sitting with mental health issues.
Let’s help raise some money to support them this winter. It could literally save lives.
“Without our touring crew there would be no live shows which is why I jumped at the chance to help Stagehand's #ILoveLive campaign”
Charlie Burchill, Simple Minds
Founding member of Simple Minds, guitarist Charlie Burchill, has donated his iconic 1983 Fender Stratocaster guitar to this prize draw fundraising campaign.
To be in with a chance of winning Charlie's Stratocaster we are holding a prize draw with each entry costing £5. You can enter multiple times.
Entries can be purchased between Wednesday 17 February 2021 and Wednesday 17 March 2021. The winner will be notified by Wednesday 24 March via email.
Founding member of Simple Minds, guitarist Charlie Burchill, has donated this iconic 1983 guitar from his personal collection.
Simple Minds have been recording and touring worldwide for over 40 years. Jim Kerr and Charlie Burchill first met in their hometown of Glasgow at the age of 8 and they have been best friends and collaborators ever since.
Simple Minds have released 18 studio albums, 6 live albums, numerous compilations and countless singles during that time. Recent accolades include the Q inspiration award in 2014, Ivor Novello awards for their outstanding song collection in 2016 and their most recent studio album “Walk Between Worlds” was their highest chart success in over 20 years, charting at number 4 in the UK charts in 2018. They are currently working on their 19th studio album.
The guitar is a Dan Smith Fender Stratocaster, used by Charlie in the recording of the last few Simple Minds albums. Charlie has a large collection of Dan Smiths, he says he particularly likes the sharp edge feel of the neck and of course the sound. This is a 1983 model and comes complete with a Fender case.
The guitar will be autographed and personalised for the winner. The signing will be filmed and the video will be sent to the winner along with the guitar.
Founded in 1996, the PSA is the trade association for individuals and businesses providing technical production services to live events. A member funded, member focussed, organisation, the PSA membership consists of around 2000 self employed technicians and 300 memberships in technical supply businesses.
Stagehand is the public facing name of the PSA Welfare and Benevolent Fund; a registered charity launched over 2 decades ago with the aim of raising and distributing funds for members, former members and their families who fall on hard times through illness or injury. More recently, the trustees launched a ring-fenced fund to subsidise Mental Health First Aid training for self employed members, as part of our mission to improve our sector’s approach to mental health.
The crisis in our sector caused by the Covid-19 pandemic has shifted the focus to those unable to work due to the current crisis. Live production workers and businesses were amongst the first to be affected, it is now clear that many live production crews are reaching a critical point with basic living expenses outstripping income. This applies across the board, from those people that earn a living building and operating shows at grassroots level to those that work with the largest stadium artists.
Extensions to the Job Retention Scheme have come too late for many companies; they were forced to make redundancies in the summer. 20% of self employed workers fell through the cracks in support; these are the people we intend to support through this fund.
Our immediate plan is to help the crew in most need, those who are close to losing the roof over their head, or those that are struggling to put food on the table. Grants will be considered to any UK crew worker who is working in the live music sector. They do not have to be PSA members.
This project offers rewards in return for your donation