Performing approximately one Doors covers each month is helping the UK band Field Music, winner of a Mercury nomination, to address a critical financial gap by working as a tribute act.
In a surprising move, the Sunderland-based art-rock band Field Music has announced they will be working as a Doors tribute act, known as Fire Doors, to supplement their income. This decision comes as the current music industry's streaming culture has made it increasingly difficult for mid-level career bands like Field Music to make a living from their original music.
David Brewis, one of the band's members, shared his feelings on the matter in a lengthy explanation to a fan named "Phil". He stated that performing as a tribute band serves as a necessary side-hustle to fill a financial gap in their dire finances, allowing them to continue their performance skills without sacrificing time for creating new original work.
The band, known for their 2012 album "Plumb", which was nominated for the Mercury Award, has gained a dedicated fanbase and critical acclaim over the years. However, the streaming era has eliminated the phenomenon of casual record buying, a significant source of income for the band. As a result, Field Music feels "quietly passed into contemporary irrelevance", impacting their commercial viability despite their history of success.
Despite this, Brewis expresses a desire for the band to be paid more than a fraction of minimum wage for their level of musical expertise. The band plans to perform one show per month to fill the financial gap and will embark on a series of 20th anniversary tour dates in November. They will also have in-store shows throughout October, leading up to the release of their new album, "Limits of Language", in October.
Brewis signs off with a light-hearted note, "Peace, love and faux-leather trousers, David/Jim". He suggests that the band could find joy and reduce embarrassment by performing as a Doors tribute act, stating that he no longer feels embarrassed about devoting time to music he loves, playing it with people he loves, and getting paid for it.
Field Music's decision to work as a tribute act reflects the broader challenges many musicians face in today's music economy, where streaming often undervalues music and limits earnings from original work, driving artists to alternative income sources like tribute acts. Despite this, the band remains committed to their original music and plans to continue creating new work alongside their tribute performances.
[1] The Guardian
[2] NME
- In an attempt to supplement their income amidst financial struggles, Field Music, known for their original music and critical acclaim, has opted to perform as a Doors tribute act to maintain their performance skills without compromising time for creating new original work.
- Amidst the changes in the music industry, with income sources like casual record buying becoming obsolete due to streaming culture, Field Music plans to perform one tribute act show per month and in-store shows throughout October, in addition to their upcoming 20th anniversary tour and the release of their new album, "Limits of Language."
