If the cap fits: Lovett also co-founded multi-faceted music company Communion
wrote things about. But music is such an important part of all our lives that I hope the media will want to report what we’re doing at such a critical time for the industry.”
What has the biz told you they want you to do? “Every organisation in the music industry has been dealing with the immediate crisis and the hardship. So the creators who literally need to pay rent and food bills at the end of the week, has been one part of it. The second bit is putting in frameworks to get the sector up and running after restrictions are lifted. When can record shops open? Do you open small venues early, larger ones later? Making sure there are no surprises from government in any of those outcomes – it’s my job to make sure that the industry voice is heard and they know our very great concerns. Thirdly, the ‘going back to normal’ issues. We’ve got to make sure that bands can tour, which means getting touring visas right. We’ve got to make sure copyright protection is in place, even though we won’t be part of the European arrangements. Setting post-Brexit trade arrangements is key. All the issues that were there two months ago are still there and we’ve not lost sight of that – and we haven’t got the clarity we need on some of those really important issues.”
Can the music industry actually recover from this? “We’re all going to be changed forever, in many ways we don’t yet comprehend. But I’m very confident about the fundamentals of the industry, I do genuinely believe it’s the best music sector in the world. The worry I have is, how long will it take to recover? And how do we rebuild quickly? If we can’t get live music back on track quickly, then people are going to lose their livelihoods. That’s why it’s important we have a ‘no surprises’ policy with government. We fully understand how difficult it is for ministers who are doing day-to-day crisis management and dealing with the spread of the virus. We just hope that our relationships are strong enough that we can get through this together in partnership.”
keen to remind people of is, I’m no longer a politician. Matt Hancock, one of my most formidable opponents when I shadowed him at DCMS, was very kind about my appointment and there’s been a number of Conservative as well as Labour MPs who welcomed it. I’ve enjoyed very humorous relations with Boris Johnson over the years. I’m trying to set out the strategic direction for the body that represents the whole sector and, if anyone is worried about the role I’m playing or what I want to do, then come and talk to me about it. Let’s have a chat and hopefully I’ll be able to convince you that I can do a good job.”
What do you say to people who’ve criticised your appointment? “Give me a bit of time and judge me on outcomes. That’s all you can ask really. I don’t think I’ve ever had a conversation with Mike Batt, but I’d love to talk to him, if he wants me to convince him my intentions are to try and help the sector. I’d say that to anyone, if they want to engage and ask what I’m trying to do with the organisation. I gave a lot of time and energy to the industry when I was a politician and aligned a lot of the policy I was responsible for to the asks that came from the sector. The talent pipeline, support for venues, schemes that would have nourished the grassroots, came about because of the people I spoke to when I went to events. In the music industry, there are opinions and voices from all sides, you’re never going to get everyone agreeing on everything. So only time will tell if I can build a good team at UK Music and make sure we still have strong networks.”
Are you confident you can command support in the media, given the clashes you’ve had over phonehacking? “Look, I was a high-profile politician who political journalists
18 | Music Week 04.05.20
Labour of love: Tom Watson has always had a passion for music
If the coronavirus crisis creates biz ‘haves’ and ‘have nots’, how much harder will it be to present a united front? “I hope I can hold the unity. That’s not just on me, that’s incumbent on everyone. There’s huge unity around the table right now from people who may have contradictory views on the future, but everyone knows our immediate focus is getting through this crisis. That’s not a bad thing and hopefully some good will come out of that in the long run.”
How is the search for a CEO to replace Michael Dugher going? “We’re about to start the process. We’ll make sure everybody hears when we’re ready, but that’s imminent. We’re blessed we’ve got a really strong team led by Tom. I’m really proud of the work they’re doing, so let’s get through this crisis before we do a proper appointment.”
“If anyone is
worried about the role I’m playing or
what I want to do, come and talk to me”
TOM WATSON UK MUSIC
Is this your life now – or will you go back to politics one day? “My days of frontline politics are over, I don’t want to go back to the Commons. When Keir [Starmer, new Labour leader] was elected and he was appointing the shadow cabinet, I looked at the list and thought, ‘They’ll be having good fun in that role now’, but I didn’t have any regrets. I’m definitely an ex-politician.”
Does that mean you’re at UK Music for the long haul? “Strictly speaking, it’s a two-year contract, reviewed after a year, so that’ll be down to the board and how well I do at holding the board together! The two rules I set myself on leaving politics are: remain an instrument for good and only work with relentlessly positive people. And so far that’s working for me. I know there are a lot of tensions across the music industry, but everyone I’ve met is fizzing with energy. They’re very creative people, out there in the hustle, trying to get their artists heard, trying to get deals done. I enjoy their company and I want to try and do some good for them.”
musicweek.com
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