Equity is today (Tuesday 21 October) launching a major survey of ‘nightlife’ performers to find out what pay, precarity and safety looks like for these professional entertainers in London in 2025.
From comedians and DJs, to Drag, Burlesque or fire performers, Cabaret or aerial artists, club singers and variety performers of all kinds, this unique survey will form the basis of a major initiative to improve the pay and conditions of performers working in the nightlife economy. Equity warns we “risk losing a generation of gigging performers” unless changes are made. The results of the survey will be used to lobby the Mayor of London’s Nightlife Taskforce and campaign more widely on the key issues impacting the nightlife workforce.
Our members are often just trying to survive gig to gig, navigating huge fluctuations in costs and ticket sales. This survey will lift the lid on the reality of working in this sector in 2025.
Nick Keegan, Equity Variety organiser
Launching the survey, Equity Variety organiser Nick Keegan said:
“The risk of losing a generation of gigging performers from our sector due to low pay and insecurity is stronger now than it was at the peak of the Covid lockdowns. This survey will provide vital data – the real story of working performers – and we strongly encourage Equity members and all gigging nightlife performers to fill it out and share it with contacts. The more gigging nightlife performers who fill out this survey, the stronger our knowledge will be, and knowledge is power.
“We see the economic impacts on venues in the hospitality sector across the country through cutbacks and closures. The crisis, or damage, that we don’t always see, is the harm this has on the vibrant workforce of gigging performers who are vital to the cultural fabric of this country. Our members are often just trying to survive gig to gig, navigating huge fluctuations in costs and ticket sales. This survey will lift the lid on the reality of working in this sector in 2025.”
Take the survey HERE! If you’ve worked as a DJ, Drag performer, Cabaret artist, Burlesque performer, fire performer, aerial artist, Comedian, club singer, or Variety performer in London, we’d love to hear from you.
Earlier this year, Equity’s Variety Committee (VCEC) passed a motion to lobby and engage with the London Mayor’s new Nightlife Taskforce. With a remit to “identify solutions that can help protect, retain and grow nightlife in London”, Equity believes it is vital for the voices and experiences of variety performers to be heard and addressed.
“Performers are getting organised through their union, and getting their voices heard.” explained Nick. “The UK has a rich history of Variety performance, and so much of the hospitality sector rely on gigging performers to bring in the punters. But it is harder now than ever for professionals to earn a secure and consistent income. That’s why we’ve launched the Equity London Nightlife pay audit.
“I’m sure that many performers will attest to the lack of growth or pay progression for gigging professionals working in Nightlife over the past decade. It’s time we had a look at the cold hard figures and had a serious conversation about pay.
“We are asking Equity members and all gigging nightlife performers to fill out this survey and to also mobilise their contacts and networks to share this survey far and wide. This is the start of the fightback for nightlife performers. Fill out the survey. “
The survey is open for members and non-members to fill out, and it is open until 1st December.
Equity recognises that similar pressures are experienced across the country, however, this survey specifically focuses on London. The union will use the results to lobby the Mayor of London’s Nightlife Taskforce and campaign more widely on the key issues impacting the nightlife workforce.