Musicians on their bikes: Save Our Scene demonstration comes to Bristol

By Filiz Emily Gurer, News Editor and Eve Bentley-Hussey, SU Correspondent

Demonstrators took to the streets of Bristol on their bikes last night in a display of solidarity with struggling musicians.

The group of campaigners congregated on Clifton Down yesterday evening, before setting off shortly after 7pm on their campaign cycle through Bristol.

With the aim of ‘raising awareness for the music industry,’ attendees of the protest cycled from the Downs to St Andrew’s Square in Bristol.

The demonstration was organised by Save Our Scene, a campaign that fundraises for Help Musicians, a charity providing support and opportunities for many in the music industry.

Escorting the demonstrators through the city and leading the convoy was a Land Rover with a live DJ set.

Blasting the music from the DJ booth to accompany the demonstrators were the producers and DJ’s GotSome and Pablo Bravas, the latter of whom's music career started in Bristol.

The Save Our Scene campaign was founded by George Fleming, who started the movement ‘to bring music lovers and professionals together to show the Government how important it is to protect the arts.’

Fleming started protesting because, ‘As instructed by the Government, the music industry is getting on their bike... we will be protesting until we see change, we cannot stop and must stand strong for what we believe in.’

In September, a report by the Musicians’ Union revealed that a third of musicians were considering leaving the music industry due to the financial difficulties caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

Speaking on the cycle demonstration in Bristol, Fleming said: ‘The first protest in London was so successful back in October... we’re confident that it’s only going to get bigger.

‘I’m excited to take the campaign to Bristol. The city is one of the most musically eclectic in the country. If you love music and have not been to Bristol before, now is your chance!’

The Bristol protest was the second of two organised this month by Save Our Scene.

The campaign’s first protest of this month took place in London on 2 December, where demonstrators on bikes cycled from Hyde Park to Parliament Square.

Featured Image: Filiz Gurer

Did you hear the Save Our Scene demonstration in Bristol last night?