On the 11th August 2020 DSM Productions teamed up with TRUCKINGBY Brian Yeardley Continental to light up their fleet for the #LightItInRed campaign.
On the 11th August 2020 we teamed up with TRUCKINGBY to light up part of their fleet, which is currently stood down, at their HQ in Wakefield. TRUCKINGBY Brian Yeardley Continental are one of the biggest live event logistics companies in the UK providing transport services for concerts, festivals and corporate events across the UK and Europe. Like the rest of the live event industry they went from having a completely full diary of events throughout 2020 to very little. Walking around their 5 acre depot in Featherstone, Wakefield, really shows the impact that COVID19 is having on the industry, including it’s entire supply chain. A ‘graveyard’ filled with traction units and trailers that would normally be out on huge arena tours across the country supporting the likes of Phil Collins, Simple Minds and many more…
We joined venues and companies across the UK in lighting up red to show support and solidarity whilst thousands of staff and crew took place in planned, covid secure, silent events across the country in places such as London, Manchester & Leeds.
Since March 2020 the UK’s live event industry, along with the rest of the world, has come to a virtual stop. A ban on mass gatherings was imposed and has since been illegal for gatherings of more than 30 people to take place. These gatherings include weddings, conferences, award ceremonies, gala dinners, fundraisers, festivals, concerts, theatre shows and many more. Without further assistance from the Government there is a real danger that events will go dark and the lights will not come back on.
This Red Alert doesn’t just affect the venues. Behind every production is a team of industry professionals who work tirelessly day and night to deliver outstanding events – an entire supply chain. This chain consists of hauliers, crew, venue staff, promoters, managers, caterers, designers, equipment suppliers & manufacturers, rental companies, security providers the list is endless. It has recently been worked out that on average for a 3 hour concert there is around 400 people involved in the delivery.
As an industry we are calling on the government for immediate support to save us from the brink of collapse. Circa 1,000,000 people are employed in an industry valued between £80bn and £130bn. The £1.57bn support package announced by Rishi Sunak will not make it to the supply chain and the army of freelancers, employers and businesses will quickly start to vanish.
Thanks to TRUCKINGBY for the privilege of working with them and also Event Light & Sound and Blaze Fireworks for the extra support – this is what we do as an industry and we are extremely good at it!
To find out more about the #LightItInRed campaign head over to: https://www.lightitinred.co.uk/
