Low pay and ‘political climate’ contributing to safety fears for London nightlife performers

London nightlife performers earn an average of £12,411 a year from their performing work after expenses. And almost a third say an increase in transphobia, misogyny, homophobia, racism or far-right sentiment has led to them feeling less safe due to audience aggression and when travelling to and from gigs.

An overwhelming 98% say that their pay has not kept up with the cost of living.

These findings come from a survey which Equity, the performing arts and entertainment trade union, conducted. The survey covered gigging nightlife performers who work in London. Respondents work in professions including:

• Cabaret
• Burlesque
• Fire performance
• Circus
• Aerial
• Drag
• Club and pub singing
• Comedy
• DJing
• Pole
• Tribute acts

They work at private events, clubs, pubs, bars, festivals, and venue residencies, alongside other places.

The London Nightlife Network

Equity published the survey results ahead of the launch of its new London Nightlife Network. The Network will bring together Equity members who work in this sector so they can organise to improve their pay and conditions.

This includes lobbying the independent Nightlife Commission recently announced by London’s Mayor and campaigning on wider issues. Equity is engaging with the Greater London Authority regarding the lack of workforce representation on its recent Nightlife Taskforce. Almost all the participants were industry bosses. The union said this lack of worker voice showed in gaps in the report findings, which came out on 21 January, particularly around workforce safety, pay, and precarity.

Commenting on the results of Equity’s survey of London nightlife performers, the union’s variety organiser Nick Keegan said:

London’s nightlife culture is world-famous, but it’s being built on the backs of performers who are earning a fraction of a living wage. It is a disgrace that 98% of performers responding to our workforce survey say their pay is stagnating, while they worry about their safety.

Which is why Equity members are launching the London Nightlife Network, because performers care deeply about London’s nightlife and know that by coming together they can raise the standards of the industry for all.

Safety

Of the survey respondents, 33% said they feel less safe than previous years when travelling to and from a gig.

A similar number, 29%, feel less safe working with audiences than in previous years.

And 28% of respondents attributed safety fears to an increase in transphobia, misogyny, homophobia, racism and far-right sentiment. Incidents included experiencing regular instances of violence, aggression and inappropriate touching.

Comments on safety include:

• There has been more racism and sexist heckling.

• Some venues will make a point prior to the show regarding not touching performers / consent but some don’t.

• The world we live in is more homophobic, transphobic and misogynistic, travelling on public transport in full drag makeup is terrifying.

• The rise of the far right and my own personal experiences with events being protested.

• Post-Covid drinking culture at gigs has changed an incredible amount… People are often drinking before the gig as they can’t afford the prices at the venue, venue security has decreased on the whole, and venues are dependent on bar sales to run the show – so drinking is more encouraged.

Pay

Only 2% of respondents said that the rates they’ve been receiving have risen in line with the cost of living, with an overwhelming 98% saying their rates have not.

The most common response to the question “On average how much do you earn for a gig in London?” was the range “£100-£199”.

The average number of gigs worked a week was 2.11.

The average amount spent on travel per month was £200. Meanwhile, the average amount spent on hair, make up and costume for an act per month was £162.

If we calculate the average pay for London nightlife performers by using £150 (which is the halfway point of the modal pay range £100-£199), and subtract average expenses for travel and hair, make up and costume, this suggests performers earn an average of £1,371.50 a month or £12,411 a year after expenses from their work in the industry.

This is well below the national median salary of £39,039, and even less than the London median salary of £49,692.

90% of respondents agree it would be helpful to them if Equity published a rate card of suggested minimum rates for nightlife performers in different working contexts.

Featured image via the Canary