ARE WE REALLY THAT HELPLESS??

 By Coral Consciouslee

3rd November 2015

 

In an industry where one’s reputation is based on one’s conduct or performance, I was saddened to know that yet another artist has had to go public and complain about a promoter.

UK’s rising Reggae Star, Aysha Loren took to social media yesterday to vent her frustration and outrage at the shoddy treatment she and fellow band members received at the hands of a promoter.  Apparently he waited until after the show to tell Aysha, that she nor her band members would not be receiving any payment, because he had no money with which to pay her.

As Aysha pointed out (and it was evident), the venue was very well attended! This meant that even in ticket sales alone, revenue would have been generated, so why, knowing full well that such actions would be broadcast, did the promoter in question not show any remorse or any intention of fulfilling his side of the agreement?  The other burning question is, did Lukie D receive HIS agreed fee for his performance? If this is the case, the international artist has once again been given preferential treatment over a UK artist!

My blog is not merely to state the obvious, but to highlight the very urgent need for us to change in how we do things here in the UK.  For things to change, we have to take effective action.  To be effective we really do need to come together and commit to working to a higher standard.  The saying “all singing from the same hymn sheet” springs to mind.  Even though contracts can and will be broken, there should be a consequence for the promoter or artist if this happens.  The promoter should NOT be able to get away with his actions without any repercussion or penalty.  I am sure as I type, the promoter in question will not only be counting whatever profit/loss he has made, but he will already be busy promoting his next event or venture. 

I saw some of the comments under Aysha Loren’s status.  “Put it down to experience”. “Did you have a contract?”.  “Did you have a rider in that contract?”. My all time favourite : “Leave him to God”.  So in a nutshell, seemingly there is nothing Aysha or her band members can do.  She and they used their own resources which includes time and effort, which whilst appreciated by her fans and those who attended, was laughed at by the promoter himself! Another pertinent question is does the fact that Aysha is a female singer have any bearing in the promoter’s stance in this situation? Would the promoter have handled things differently if it involved a male? Questions, questions, questions!

I call on artists, musicians and like-minded individuals to boycott promoters who behave in this way.  The power is in our hands; if we choose not to put our hands in our pockets and take our hard-earned cash and pay for a ticket, that promoter is rendered inactive, the event cannot take place.  Naming and shaming is not a spiteful or malicious act.  By refusing to name and shame we give that promoter licence to do it to others, we are actually giving them permission to waste other people’s time and money. We also need to stop being “armchair” critics.  There are ways of supporting positive change and I would be wrong not to promote Reggae Fraternity UK of which I am a member.  I joined because I want to be instrumental in causing change to the Reggae Music Industry in the UK especially; I truly believe it can be done.  What are you doing to contribute to change? You may say you are not an artist, musician, promoter or DJ; however without you, the general public, none of this is possible.  As Chronnix sang “I’m recruiting....”

“Better must come”....but who is going to do it? How will it happen? When will it happen?

It’s up to us...