Thanks to streaming, Brexit and Covid, it’s never been harder to make ends meet as a musician. Three acts with second jobs discuss juggling stadium tours with shelf-stacking
The first Musicians’ Census recently found that almost half of working UK musicians earn less than £14K a year from music. It’s fine for the lucky handful making millions, such as Ed Sheehan or Adele, but most are having to rely on a second job or similar side-hustle to support their income. We spoke to three visibly successful musicians about the difficulties and realities of balancing a career in music and a “parallel life”.
‘Fans are amazed when I say I’m back in the office tomorrow’
Matt Baty, singer with Newcastle stoner metallers Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs and music publishing sync manager
After finishing university I moved to Manchester with the sole intention of forming a band. We signed to a record label, released an album and went out touring, but juggled it with day jobs. You think: “Are we doing something wrong?” before you realise that, unless you get a huge hit single and are opened up to a really big audience, this is the reality.
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