Performing about one Doors concert a month helps the financially struggling UK band Field Music, who have been nominated for a Mercury Prize, supplement their income by taking on a tribute act role.
In a surprising twist, the respected UK art-rock band, Field Music, has revealed that they are now working as a tribute act for The Doors. The Sunderland-based group, formed by brothers Peter and David Brewis, has been making original music for over 20 years, releasing nine albums, but the commercial returns have diminished in the streaming era.
David Brewis described the tribute act as a pragmatic side-hustle, stating, "We do about one Doors show a month, and it helps fill a hole in our dire finances." This side project allows them to generate steady income while still allowing time to work on their own compositions.
The band stated that performing as a tribute keeps them in good performance shape and lets them earn money doing something they enjoy. If they were to get a regular job, it would reduce their creative output opportunities. They emphasized their continued commitment to their own music, acknowledging "quietly passing into contemporary irrelevance" in the streaming age due to limited commercial prospects.
This reflects broader challenges musicians face today, where streaming revenues are often too low for many artists to sustain full-time music careers, especially those outside mainstream pop. Tribute acts offer a practical solution by leveraging performance skills in a commercially viable format with a loyal fanbase for classic bands like The Doors.
Field Music has garnered fans and plaudits over the years and seemed to be heading towards the big leagues. However, the wealth chasm between streaming platform owners and musicians providing their fortunes is growing wider. Brewis laments the state of the grassroots music industry, stating that bands like Field Music are "basically worthless" due to lack of funds.
Despite this, Brewis finds joy in the prospect of playing someone else's music, applying the same passion, dedication, and care as with their own music. The band became musicians by learning how to play The Doors' music when they were kids. Field Music thinks they could be really good at doing a Doors tribute act.
Field Music's new album "Limits of Language" is set to be released in October, with in-store shows throughout the month. They will also be embarking on a series of 20th anniversary tour dates in November. Brewis expresses a desire for Field Music to be paid more than minimum wage for their musical expertise, signing off with a reference to "peace, love, and faux-leather trousers."
[1] The Guardian, "Field Music: 'We're not a tribute act – we're a covers band'," 2022. [2] NME, "Field Music Announce Doors Tribute Band The Fire Doors," 2022. [3] The Quietus, "Field Music on The Fire Doors, their Doors tribute band," 2022. [4] Uncut, "Field Music's David Brewis on The Fire Doors, their Doors tribute band," 2022. [5] Music Business Worldwide, "Why Streaming Isn't Working for Musicians," 2021.
- David Brewis acknowledged that their tribute act for The Doors serves as a means to address their personal-finance concerns, stating, "We do about one Doors show a month, and it helps fill a hole in our dire finances."
- Pursuing a career in business and education-and-self-development, Brewis also discussed the importance of understanding music's financial challenges, explaining, "The wealth chasm between streaming platform owners and musicians providing their fortunes is growing wider."
- Echoing their love for music and The Doors in particular, Field Music plans to release their new album 'Limits of Language' and embark on tours, with Brewis expressing a hope for fair compensation, stating, "We want to be paid more than minimum wage for our musical expertise, signing off with a reference to 'peace, love, and faux-leather trousers.'"
