The once thriving UK live scene has turned into a ghost town. Artists have resorted to massive guests just to get people to show up

“You always had people that didn’t turn up,” said artist manager Graeme Stewart. “It was around 5% normally, but you’re getting as much as 40% no-shows for some gigs now. It’s an enormous problem, and it’s happening for anything that’s ticketed.”

Sacha Lord, the co-founder of Parklife festival and night-time economy adviser for Greater Manchester, said even the most popular line-ups are being affected. “We’re seeing a big drop-off, even at really hot, sold-out shows. It’s happening every single night, and it’s affecting all artists.”

Lord said it is not just venues that are struggling: “The knock-on effects of this are phenomenal. It’s decimating the whole industry.”

UK’s Hatty Keane delivers drops a new track Digital Love. Her vocals are pretty powerful. She says the song is playing second fiddle in a relationship to the Digital age. The Michael King repped artist has tastemaker support from the likes of Spotify, Clash Magazine, Buzz Music and Celebmix. She’s on 14+ Spotify playlists including Buzz Music. Moreover, she was flown to Israel by Forbes Magazine to perform at their biggest event of the year.

Look out for Chloe Castro . She just released the in-your-face pop track Drunk via indie label Kaleidoscope. Think early Jessie J when she came on the scene with attitude. The track made it on the popular Tom Robinson’s BBC Introducing Mixtape. Originally from Durham, UK, Chloe had her roots in street performing building a YouTube following, before appearing on ‘The Voice’ in the UK in 2016, making it to the finals. Give it a listen.
chloecastro.official@gmail.com

Scandinavian Anton producer kicks off 2018 with a new track featuring Folly Rae. Although we don’t know too much about the mysterious music producer, we do know Folly Rae is a hot new UK artist that headlined the BBC Introducing stage at Glastonbury in 2017. Moreover, the track was given it’s first stream on Spotify’s New Music Friday and we may’ve been the first to take notice.
claudia@lucidonline.co.uk

Fil Bo Riva releases the impressive “Head Sonata (Love Control)“. Give this track a go, because this is how an indie band ought to sound like today. The band first made waves in 2016 with the debut EP, If You’re Right, It’s Alright, and the new track comes off his forthcoming album in 2018. Fil Bo Riva and his indie outfit will headline across UK and Europe, performing their new material from the record.
hannah@charmfactory.co.uk