Oasis songwriter Noel Gallagher went off in a sweary rant in a new TV programme as he says the pandemic has made things tough in the music industry.
A third of the country’s venues have closed in the past decade and 550 are under immediate threat, with the coronavirus pandemic making the situation worse.
Sky Arts show The Live Revival takes a look at what's going on and a range of well known singers and musicians revisit old venues that they have performed in to demand action to save them, writes The Mirror.
And Noel Gallagher didn't hold back as he made the claim that the music industry is being ignored.
He said: “There has been no sign of anybody saying anything about the f****** music business,” he says. “It’s all about f****** sport, or hanging out in parks... What about the f****** music?
“Music is of the upmost importance – people live and breathe it.”
Scots singer Amy MacDonald also makes an appearance in the show and she talks about how she started out at 14-years-old performing in different small venues in Glasgow.
Talking about the show on her Instagram, she urged her followers to tune in. She said: "It's a programme about highlighting all the small independent venues that have absolutely f***ed by this."
Singer David Gray says Covid has exposed the “total lack of understanding on a governmental level of how the industry works.”
Skin from Skunk Anansie adds: “If we don’t support grassroots bands, we will slowly topple off the mantle of the best rock economy in the world.”
And Jeff Horton, owner of London’s legendary 100 Club, agrees, saying: “We gave the world The Beatles and the Stones... David Bowie, and Paul Weller.”
The documentary shines a light on venues such as Thekla, in Bristol, Rock City, in Nottingham, and King Tut’s in Glasgow.
Paul Weller is among the stars who get to play in the places where they started.
Phil Edgar-Jones, of Sky Arts and Entertainment, said many had “learned their craft” in such nightspots.
He added: “We’ve been overwhelmed by the response from some of the greats... with incredible performances that shine a light on these important places.”
*The Live Revival, Sky Arts, May 20 and 27, and June 3, 9pm.
