"Once a month, Field Music—an esteemed UK band meriting a Mercury nomination—are taking on tribute act roles to help bridge their struggling financial situation."
Field Music Turns to Tribute Act to Bridge Financial Gap
In the ever-evolving music industry, making a living from creating original music has become increasingly challenging for many artists, especially those in niche genres like art-rock. This is the reality faced by Sunderland-based band Field Music, who have recently announced they will be performing as a tribute act to The Doors, known as The Fire Doors [1][2][3].
The band, consisting of brothers Peter and David Brewis, has gained fans and plaudits over the years, with some considering them on the verge of the big leagues. However, the streaming era has eliminated the phenomenon of casual record buying, once a significant source of income for Field Music. Faced with these financial difficulties, the band has decided to take on a tribute act to generate additional income [2][3].
David Brewis, a member of Field Music, has posted an explanation for the band's decision, titled "On tribute bands, creativity, novelty and surviving." In the post, he acknowledges the practical realities of the current music industry, stating that performing as a tribute act allows them to apply their passion, dedication, and care to someone else's music while still having time to make their own [2][3].
The band plans to perform as a tribute act approximately once a month. Brewis hopes that Field Music can be paid more than a fraction of minimum wage for their level of musical expertise [2][3]. He also expressed that while he is open to the idea of Field Music performing as a tribute act to The Doors, he no longer feels embarrassed about it, as it provides a practical solution to their financial struggles [2][3].
Field Music's new album "Limits of Language" will be released in October, with in-store shows throughout the month. The band will also embark on a series of 20th anniversary tour dates in November [1]. Despite this side project, the band remains committed to their original work and will continue producing new music [2][3].
This move by Field Music highlights broader challenges artists face in monetizing original music in today's market. The tribute act serves as a practical "side-hustle" allowing them to perform regularly, maintain their performance skills, and avoid the time constraints of conventional 9-to-5 employment, all without abandoning their creative ambitions for their original work [1][2][3].
The implications of this move on creativity and the music industry are significant. Financial pressures are pushing artists to diversify income streams, even to the point of performing tribute acts to survive. This disconnect between creative output and financial viability is a common struggle for many musicians today. The tribute act is also seen as a strategic compromise that preserves time and energy for original work, rather than abandoning it.
The changing nature of music consumption and monetization, with streaming revenue, niche audiences, and market saturation, make sustainable careers harder, even for established acts. This move by Field Music raises questions about artistic identity and industry expectations, with tribute bands often seen as less creatively valid, yet here used as a pragmatic tool supporting creativity rather than replacing it.
In sum, Field Music’s Doors tribute project underscores ongoing systemic challenges in the music business while exemplifying adaptive strategies artists are employing to balance creativity and economic survival [1][2][3].
[1] The Guardian: Field Music announce Doors tribute act The Fire Doors [2] NME: Field Music reveal they are now performing as a Doors tribute act [3] David Brewis: On tribute bands, creativity, novelty and surviving
- In their pursuit of financial stability, Field Music has decided to supplement their income by performing as a tribute act to The Doors, a strategy that also allows them to continue developing their personal-finance and career-development skills.
- As Field Music balances their commitment to original music with the practicalities of the current music industry, they are finding unique ways to incorporate entertainment elements such as music into their financial education-and-self-development plan.
- Despite adopting a tribute act to bridge the gap in their finances, Field Music remains dedicated to their creative ambitions, using this strategy as a means to sustain their original work, rather than replacing it.
