Soundtrack to give us all welcome boost to beat lockdown blues

Midnight Mango release Lockdown Songs Beating the blues with lockdown songs As the COVID-19 pandemic keeps people in lockdown and indoors music is one of the things that could help to give the nation a musical boost. To help, an exciting new compilation album of songs by some of the UK’s top live acts is being released to help the music industry. Neville Staple from The Specials with his own band on Lockdown Songs (Photo: Midnight Mango) Neville Staple of The Specials supporting Midnight Mango album (Photo by Michael Buckner/Getty Images) Lockdown Songs, features tracks donated by such names as Neville Staple of The Specials, The Dead South, Ferocious Dog, Mad Dog Mcrea and CoCo & The Butterfields. Neville Staple of The Specials supporting Midnight Mango album (Photo by Michael Buckner/Getty Images) All in a good cause The money raised from the sale of the album will create work opportunities for booking agents who are at the sharp end, as live music is put on hold for the foreseeable future. The album is the brainchild of Midnight Mango, one of the UK’s leading booking agencies. A word from Midnight Mango Their managing director, Matt Bartlett says that the booking agents who help to make the live music scene happen are bearing the brunt of the shutdown. He added: “There’s still a lot of work for booking agents at the moment, what with booking shows for the future and rescheduling events,” says Matt, “but at the same time there’s zero money coming in to pay the bills.” Midnight Mango will seek to address this acute cash flow crisis by looking to employ booking agents on a freelance basis that will allow them to keep working until the situation improves. Devastating impact The COVID-19 crisis has had a devastating impact on the music industry, with countless industry professionals being furloughed or made redundant, venues closing, promoters calling it a day and musicians looking for new jobs. Booking agents who worked for an agency have also been furloughed or made redundant, and many freelancer agents have fallen through the gaps completely. Album available The album is available on a crowdfunding basis, meaning you can donate money and in turn be rewarded with the album. Midnight Mango will match-fund the donations and keep in touch with everyone who donates, letting them know how the money is being spent. Anyone who wants the live music scene to bounce back in 2021 is asked to donate to the Midnight Mango Lockdown Fund. Find out more Find out more by visiting the www.crowdfunder.co.uk/midnight-mango-lockdown-fund website.Midnight Mango is an international live booking agency, with offices in Glastonbury, London and Hamburg. The company was established in 2004. Its artists embrace many genres including rock music, folk music, reggae music, ska, punk, indie and acoustic. In 2019 the company booked, promoted or produced 1,361 performances from its roster of artists. In December 2019 it was awarded UK Agency Of The Year at the UK Festival awards. The company books, produces or promotes its roster into venue, festival and online performances. It develops the live careers of the artists it represents. It supports venues by placing its artists with them. It engages external promoters to market and delivers shows.