Speeches by Frith.

“Hi, everybody. Thanks for this morning. Jon, you were mentioned quite a lot in the first session. I have a question for you: have you specifically asked Live Nation to get involved in this? It was decidedly absent from the list of praise from one of the previous witnesses.”

“On that point, perhaps, David, you want to answer it. I agree about R&D. I think if this was a scientific endeavour, it would be privy to R&D tax credits, for sure. The argument would be well made. As somebody who has had those conversations with our Government, I can say that it does not resonate, sadly. To that point…”

“Streaming, or streamer companies having an interest, taking more of an interest, taking more cultivation of grassroots music venues, since the streaming revenue begins with the emerging artists starting, finding their feet, cutting their teeth.”

“It is the Department you work in, in the same way that—”

“I said, “hopefully not”, as the recording will confirm.”

“Mark, you started with a list. In politics, starting with a list, you always leave people off and there were some absentees from your list, including the biggest global promoter, as I understand it. Who is not on that list of praise but should be?”

“That was quite a guitar solo, Jon. Well done. You have crept on to my question, which was going to be about EU touring. Just to Steve and Nancy, please, on the issue of EU touring. It has been suggested that the Government will push for a deal on EU touring, something I have supported, and I know colleagues in the sess…”

“What would you say to the Lords about the result last night of the Government’s defeat there on that particular issue?”

“But your assessment of those deserving of praise included the bands. I would say that the bands’ fans probably ultimately deserve the praise for paying that premium, rather than the millionaires. I will ask you again. Absent from that list were two notable brands, owned by one of the bigger two. Would Live Nation Enter…”

“On that point, perhaps, David, you want to answer it. I agree about R&D. I think if this was a scientific endeavour, it would be privy to R&D tax credits, for sure. The argument would be well made. As somebody who has had those conversations with our Government, I can say that it does not resonate, sadly. To that point…”

“Changing topic, the Minister has talked about developing a 10-point plan or a 10-plus point plan for music. What would you like to see that DCMS has not already committed to?”

“When do you think Live Nation will become part of the programme?”

“In your 10-point plan for music you did not mention anything on copyright. Would you expect that to be in your 10-point plan, the protection of copyright in the age of AI?”

“Isn’t that the problem? I do not see that as muddying the waters. I see it as recognising the ecosystem. If you are a music fan, you do not see it as muddying the waters that you see the band live and stream them afterwards, or vice versa. In fact, you routinely are told when the band you have been listening to is now …”

“You have obviously been in the Department—”

“Hopefully not.”

“I think not. Would you care to comment on the reports of the DCMS being disbanded? Could you see any merit in such a seemingly reckless act?”

“All power to you in in negotiating with the European Union in the coming weeks and months. I hope very much that we learn of EU touring being a factor in any success you have. Reports recently of your Department being disbanded—”

“Jon, a final comment.”

“That was quite a guitar solo, Jon. Well done. You have crept on to my question, which was going to be about EU touring. Just to Steve and Nancy, please, on the issue of EU touring. It has been suggested that the Government will push for a deal on EU touring, something I have supported, and I know colleagues in the sess…”