{"id":131,"date":"2023-12-13T21:15:05","date_gmt":"2023-12-13T21:15:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/journalists.org.uk\/marina-snyder\/?p=131"},"modified":"2023-12-16T19:35:36","modified_gmt":"2023-12-16T19:35:36","slug":"we-need-to-change-the-narrative-new-music-documentary-captures-culture-wealth-gap-in-the-north-east","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/journalists.org.uk\/marina-snyder\/2023\/12\/13\/we-need-to-change-the-narrative-new-music-documentary-captures-culture-wealth-gap-in-the-north-east\/","title":{"rendered":"“We need to change the narrative”: new music documentary captures culture wealth gap in the North East"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Newcastle local musicians speak up about struggles due to economic North-South divide through latest music documentary ‘Bridge the Gap’. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n

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Image Credit: Marina Snyder <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The music industry’s wealth gap between the South and North East is prominent, as according to a recent December 2023 report by the Creative Industries Policy and Evidence Centre<\/a>, nearly 70% of all the UK\u2019s creative industries\u2019 gross value added (GVA) is concentrated in London and the South-East. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Similar reports by the centre also illustrated that the total creative industries turnover (in \u00a3 thousands) in London was a significant amount more than the turnover in the North East in 2021. <\/p>\n\n\n

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Image credit: ‘Geographies of Creativity’ by the Creative Industries Policy and Evidence Centre<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Artists have aimed to shine more light on this issue through a new music documentary ‘Bridge the Gap’ which was released on the 14th of December.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When asked about the struggles of the music industry in the North East, featuring artists and current candidates for the Sunderland Labour party, Stephen Lewis Elms said: “The abject poverty in this area is really difficult for people to get past. The fact is that there are people unable to afford to turn on the heating in their house let alone buy a trumpet or a set of drums. I just think that\u2019s wrong and we need to start funding and investing in the youth and making sure they can go on to achieve these great things.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“It\u2019s been difficult for a long period of time, and until the people with the money allow the people without it to get a hold of it, it\u2019s not going to change.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Northumberland street buskers and the Voice UK 2023 candidates Jenna Cole and Oliva Irvin, most commonly known as ‘Jen and Liv’ were also present at the event. Olivia said “It’s very frustrating because we know so many talented amazing people in this industry that are just not heard because they\u2019re from Newcastle\u2026there is government funding but in terms of amount, it’s just not so much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“We\u2019ve noticed a change in gig bookings, (and the) amount we make. With busking, for example, the general range we make compared to what we started is lower\u2026and the thing is, down south is just where everything is, like all the producing companies. At the same time, there’s a lot of producers here but it’s just getting your name out there.”<\/p>\n\n\n

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Local musicians ‘Jen and Liv’ who featured in ‘Bridge the Gap’. Image Credit: Marina Snyder<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are currently initiatives being set up to aid the creative sector within Newcastle and the North East. Creative Central NCL<\/a>, which launched in 2021, is currently aiming to make Newcastle a ‘creative hub’ for the creative industry. So far, the project has awarded almost \u00a3350,000 to projects and businesses, aiming to give artists and creative professionals the skills they need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The North of Tyne Combined Authority<\/a> (NTCA) has also now committed a further \u00a32 million towards the North of Tyne Culture and Creative Investment Programme (CCIP<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Many businesses, such as Generator<\/a>, are also contributing to developing and aiding the music industry in the North East. The deputy CEO of Generator, Alice Fuller, attended the event and said: “I know that the music is a sector that the North East is very interested in growing. There is more money being put towards the creative and cultural sector, but it could always be more…<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“if you put the money and attention in and give a voice to the arts then it helps to build the rest of the infrastructure and will bring in more for the economy, it works as a full ecosystem.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When asked about the importance and impact of the documentary and its message, Alice said: “I think it’s going to be important to see where we can get this out too, who we can push this towards so that it’s not just the artists living it but also the policymakers who need to know there is a gap that needs to be bridged, so it definitely needs to be shared with the right people.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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‘Bridge the Gap’ is a production by JERRY J MEDIA<\/a> which premiered at Tyneside Cinema in Newcastle. It is set to be released on social media platforms, such as Instagram, next week to spread awareness on this issue in the North East. <\/p>\n\n\n\n