By Martin Roche and David Clarke
The weather Gods shone on Edinburgh on 16th April. The city looked its glorious best. Locals walked taller as the sun warmed their backs. Tourists blessed themselves for choosing to holiday in such a magnificent place. And to add to the marvel that is Auld Reekie, the Royal Mile came alive with three hours of performances from a dozen musicians who had come to join the Busk Against Brexit, a day of Face the Music events organised by EMiS (European Movement in Scotland) and part of the European Movement’s UK-wide Face the Music campaign.
Deputy Lord Provost of Edinburgh, Councillor Lezley Marion Cameron, made her way over from the City Chambers to declare the Busk Against Brexit officially launched. And so, the players began to entertain the throngs to songs and tunes from across Europe. Many a Scottish favourite was heard too, though perhaps the highlight of the day was the ensemble playing of The Ode to Joy.
TV cameras rolled; professional photographers caught unique moments. Scots and visitors alike recorded video and pictures on countless smart phones. The alchemy of Edinburgh, blue skies, warm sun, talented performers, people from every corner of the globe and dedicated EMiS ambassadors made for an experience of joyous and purposeful internationalism. Here we all were, gathered in peace. Brothers and sisters, laughing, smiling, making friends, feet tapping as the music united us.
The success of the day could not have been possible without the musicians who came along to play and attract public attention. So big thanks from EMiS to Iona Fyfe, Pat Kane, Roddy Renfrew, Nick Wray, Mickey Wilson, Will Oke, Jon Hodkin, Jim Bryce and Ram Tajam.
EMiS volunteers rolled up from Glasgow, Fife, the Southwest and Edinburgh itself to work the crowds, explaining how UK travelling musicians have seen their earnings fall, costs rise and performance opportunities reduce, all because of the UK becoming a “third country” after Brexit. The immediate task was to encourage people to scan a QR code to support the campaign to persuade government to reach out to the EU and negotiate a better package of rules for musicians. Less costly, less bureaucratic and faster procedures would benefit performers from across the Arts and strengthen the culture sector in the EU and the UK.
If singing and playing were not enough, Iona Fyfe also joined the EMiS volunteers in persuading members of the public to support the campaign.
After a long shift on the Royal Mile, musicians and the EMiS group made their way to Holyrood.
In addition to performing on The Royal Mile, Pat Kane and Iona Fyfe spoke at a Holyrood meeting of the Scottish Parliament Cross Party Group on Music (SPAPGM). Special thanks also go to the other speakers who joined us at the parliament, Alastair Mackie, chief executive of the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, Colin Stuart, head of enteral affairs at the Independent Society of Musicians and Findlay Johnson, chief operating officer at the Association for Electronic Music. Michelle Thomson MSP, Convener of the SPAPGM, chaired the Holyrood meeting. EMiS is extremely grateful to all the musicians and music industry leaders who took part, to Michelle Thomson and to the MSPs and others who joined us at Holyrood.
EMiS and The Face the Music campaign got frequent mentions during a Holyrood debate on cultural issues in the main chamber. MSPs from the SNP, Scottish Greens, Labour and Lib Dems acknowledged the barriers musicians now face, with a number specifically referencing EMiS and our work.
There can be little doubt that the Busk Against Brexit was a tremendous success. It reached out to people in a stimulating and entertaining way, allowing EMiS to engage in the serious business of persuasion and advocacy, made all the
more congenial by the music and the musicians. A healthy number of visitors to the EMiS stall signed up to hear more from us and it’s a fair bet that some new members will result from the day.
Great credit goes to our organiser, David McDonald. His singular efforts negotiated our presence on the Royal Mile, brought out the musicians, arranged the meetings and events at Holyrood and secured hugely valuable media coverage, most notably on STV, BBC Radio Scotland and The National newspaper. David also persuaded EMUK (European Movement UK) to send two full time staff to Edinburgh to help with the media effort and the logistics of the day. Our thanks and gratitude go to EMUK. Well done David McDonald.
Picture credit: https://www.thenational.scot/resources/images/17975857.jpg?type=mds-article-962