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For our first instalment of the year, we’ve got some of the better news to come from a turbulent 2020, as well as some of the concerns shared by Youth Organisations across the UK. Essential Reading, indeed.
The 2020 Rise of Women and Non-Binary Music Producers
We start with a strong positive as, with time spent away from the gender disparity of music tech, Vice reported the incredible 2020 that female producers enjoyed. Amongst a lot of understandable negativity, this is an uplifting read.
Young women and non-binary folk are, of course, very welcome to AudioActive’s female-led music production workshop, Equaliser.
Youth Organisations in England under threat
Citing years of underfunding, highlighted by the effect of Covid-19, The Guardian reported on how many youth organisations in England face potential closure this year.
“Youth services simply do not have the capacity or enough funding to meet young people’s vastly increased needs,” said the NYA’s chief executive, Leigh Middleton. “They have depleted reserves and incomes slashed by half or more.
“We are calling for greater investment in frontline youth services right now, sustained throughout any lockdown and regional tier emergency measures.”
Complex: MF DOOM in memory
There are plenty of tributes being made to the late, great MF DOOM, who’s sad passing was announced on New Year’s Eve. The cult hero rapper and masked-villain was the subject of a tribute from hip-hop staple, Complex.
Musicians will abandon tours after huge new costs and bureaucracy of Brexit deal, ministers warned
Much has been made of the effect that the recently finalised Brexit deal will have on touring musicians. The news comes after a year in which the live music industry has already taken a massive hit, and parts of the music industry are calling the government to take action.
Vinyl sales continued to rise in 2020
Sticking with The Independent and finishing with some better news, sales of vinyl continued to rise once again in 2020. No doubt aided by the work of Bandcamp and more time spent at home listening to music throughout lockdown, 5 million vinyl records were purchased last year - the highest total since the early 90s.