“It’s about putting a value on all music”: Sheppard issue statement on Commonwealth Games fee controversy

Aussie pop act Sheppard found themselves at the centre of a controversy surrounding artist payments at the Commonwealth Games when this week they spoke of being offered the opportunity to play at the opening ceremony for an “honorarium fee” and “exposure.”

George from the band spoke of their decision to turn down the offer to perform for a total payment of $6,000, fearing the knock-on effect it might have on the fees offered to other artists for similar performances.

Now Sheppard have issued a statement addressing the wider issue of fair pay for fair play across the music industry as a whole, admitting that while they didn’t expect the media coverage the issue received, that they were happy to see the matter find a platform in public discourse.

“This is about taking a stand that artists matter and what we do has a value,” said the band.

“As has been debated in the media, whether you’re a sound tech, a door person, the cleaner or a ticket seller, every person in the value chain deserves to get paid to create events and music that the public can enjoy.”

Sheppard spoke about the Commonwealth Games issue, outlining that turning down the gig was due to a “message ” it would send to young musicians.

“By making this decision, we are standing up for the next generation of Australian talent – the ones creating music in their bedrooms and hoping that one day they might be able to make a living from doing what they love.

“It’s about saying to the singer songwriter who has spent years honing their craft that they DON’T need to play for free at that café for supposed ‘exposure’.

“It’s about telling that band that slogged their guts out to put their demo up on Unearthed that they DON’T have to give it away to a surf video because they are told it will be good for their career.”

According to the band, the wider issue highlighted by the events of the week, is that the value of music is often traded away.

“It’s about putting a value on all music, regardless of whether you’re a small artist or a big artist and saying that if someone is enjoying your music, there’s a value there that you shouldn’t be guilt-tripped into trading away.”