The Week in Light & Sound
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Speaking at the launch of his cultural strategy at Battersea Arts Centre, Khan said: “Once these things are gone – arts centres, live music venues, they’re gone forever, they’re not going to come back. But we’re also making sure the new generation of developments think about having theatres, community spaces, pubs, because what we don’t want is a dormitory city. So it’s keeping what we have, but also making sure that new developments have this recognition that a good community has good places to live, work and play.”
He added: “From 2008 to 2016, roughly speaking, half of the live music venues in London closed down, that should be a source for concern for all of us.”
Creative Statistics - Jobs in the creative industries are set to grow twice as fast as the UK average by 2024, new research has claimed. Creative industries employment is predicted to increase by 5.3% over the next six years, double that of the average rate of employment, which will rise by 2.5%.
This is according to new statistics published by the Creative Industries Federation and development agency Nesta, which predict the levels of employment for young people starting secondary school this year and graduating in 2024.
The research goes on to warn that, despite the growth potential, the UK’s education and skills system is not prepared for the workforce of the future, and access to creative learning is under threat.
It calls on the government and the industry to rectify this, with suggestions including a government-backed creative careers campaign and a mandate that a school must be committed to teaching creative subjects if it is to be classed ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted.
Ziggy’s Back - A statue of David Bowie has been unveiled in the town where he debuted Ziggy Stardust. The bronze sculpture, entitled Earthly Messenger, can be found in Aylesbury's Market Square. It features a likeness of Bowie in 2002 regarding a selection of his alter egos down the years, with Ziggy at the front. Speakers mounted above the life-size piece will play a Bowie song every hour. Money to create the work was raised through grants and a £100,000 crowdfunding appeal by music promoter David Stopps.
Farewell - Lys Assia - the first person to win the Eurovision song contest - has died at the age of 94. The Swiss-born singer won the competition in her home country in 1956 with the song Refrain. Organisers of the contest offered their "deepest condolences" to Assia's friends and family and said they will be paying tribute to her "life and her lasting commitment" to Eurovision. Remarkably, at the age of 87, she decided it was time to return as a contestant, but her attempt to represent Switzerland in 2012-2013 was unsuccessful.
Final Words - Kim Wilde is back with her first album of original songs since 1995 and about to go on tour. She told the BBC: "I've really got the bit in my teeth. I'm going to be the performer I never thought I could be. I want to surprise myself. Why not? I'm going to be 60 soon and before you know it, I'll be dancing off this beautiful earth. I may as well go out all guns blazing."
(Jim Evans)
27 March 2018
