More than 1,000 artists—including renowned figures such as Damon Albarn, Kate Bush, and Annie Lennox—have taken to the stage of protest against the UK government’s proposed changes to copyright law. Their emblematic resistance manifests through the silent album titled Is This What We Want?, released to signify the detrimental impact these changes could have on musicians’ livelihoods.
This unique album comprises recordings of empty studios and performance spaces, comprising 12 tracks. Together, these tracks spell out the urgent message: “The British government must not legalise music theft to benefit AI companies.” Other prominent artists contributing to this project include Ed O’Brien of Radiohead, The Clash, Tori Amos, Hans Zimmer, Pet Shop Boys, Jamiroquai, and Yusuf / Cat Stevens. All proceeds from the sale of this silent album are being directed to the UK charity Help Musicians.
Ed Newton-Rex, the British composer behind the album and who formerly held executive positions at AI companies, articulated the gravity of the situation: “The government’s proposal would hand the life’s work of the country’s musicians to AI companies, for free, letting those companies exploit musicians’ work to outcompete them.” He emphasized, “It is a plan […] totally unnecessary: the UK can be leaders in AI without throwing our world-leading creative industries under the bus.”
Kate Bush’s poignant words encapsulate the anxiety many artists share about the future: “Will our voices go unanswered?” This fear is echoed by industry studies, such as one published last December by the International Confederation of Societies of Authors and Composers, which foresees music industry workers potentially losing up to 24% of their revenue by 2028 if stringent protections against AI are not established.
The Is This What We Want? campaign aims to safeguard the music scene, already garnering more than 1,000 signatures from sympathizing musicians and supporters alike. The artists hope to shine light on the gravity of the government's actions by demonstrating what silence could mean for future music and creativity.
The protest arises from substantial concerns about the changing nature of copyright laws. Many musicians fear the government is pushing through reforms enabling data miners to use copyrighted works without clear consent from the original creators. This would effectively grant exemptions for AI training on copyrighted content without rights holders expressly denying such use.
“Please help protect the music makers and our heartfelt work. We make it for you, not for it to be taken and used against us,” urged Bush. Her call reverberates through the music community, highlighting the central issue at hand: the recognition of artists' rights amid the rapid advancement of technology.
Support for the musicians’ campaign continues to grow, with many notable names rallying for awareness. The album's 12 tracks serve as both artistic expression and stark commentary on the potential future of music if these legal changes proceed unchecked. The tracklist, starkly simple, reads: 01. The 02. British 03. Government 04. Must 05. Not 06. Legalise 07. Music 08. Theft 09. To 10. Benefit 11. AI 12. Companies.
Interestingly, parallels can be drawn with incidents from the previous year when several major record labels, including Sony, Warner, and Universal Music, took legal action against Suno AI for copyright infringement. This earlier conflict reflects the growing turmoil within the industry concerning AI's role and the protection of creative works.
With the music industry at such a crossroads, the protest encapsulates what many see as the larger question of how technology interacts with arts and creativity. Laws have yet to catch up with these rapid changes—something the musicians hope to change. The narrative they are crafting paints a significant and urgent picture of artistic integrity, the need for solid copyright protections, and the fundamental recognition of musicians’ value.
Raising awareness through innovative actions like the silent album, these artists hope to drive home the message: protecting the integrity of musical works is not merely about copyright; it’s about preserving the culture and creativity at the core of society.
Facing the swift tide of technological advancements, musicians are standing firm, using their voices—albeit, poignantly silent—to advocate for change. What will the future hold for artists and their creations if the legal structures fail to protect them? The answer lies not only with the UK government but within the hands of every music lover and supporter of the arts.