Van Morrison opens £500 grant applications for struggling musicians

The ‘Lockdown Financial Hardship Fund’ is described as being an emergency source of cash for musicians facing hardship “as a direct result of the government restrictions on live music introduced in March 2020”.

The singer-songwriter has been openly critical of the Stormont Executive’s management of the Covid-19 crisis, and was involved in a public spat with Health Minister Robin Swann in September.

Mr Swann accused Sir Van of sending out a “dangerous” message in the lyrics of three tracks penned to fund the hardship grants.

One of the three songs – No More Lockdown – accuses those who are “disturbing our peace” of being “fascist bullies”.

Proceeds from all three anti-lockdown singles Born To Be Free, As I Walked Out and No More Lockdown will contribute to the fund.

Announcing that the new scheme is open for applications, the official Van Morrison Twitter account said that “single time grants of £500” will be provided to successful applications, and will be assessed on a first come first served basis.

Applicants are asked to provide proof that they meet the eligibility criteria, including professional memberships and evidence of recent work and cancelled performances.

The details of two references, from the last three years, who will be willing to support the evidence provided, are also required.

The online application form states: “Any evidence submitted must clearly demonstrate your career to date and show that you are a professional musician who is actively performing music.”

In an opinion piece Mr Swann was invited to write for Rolling Stone magazine, the minister said: “His words will give great comfort to the conspiracy theorists. The tin foil hat brigade who crusade against masks and vaccines and think this is all a huge global plot to remove freedoms.

“We in Northern Ireland are very proud of the fact that one of the greatest music legends of the past 50 years comes from our part of the world. So there’s a real feeling of disappointment – we expected better from him.

“However, it goes further than disappointment. Some of what is he saying is actually dangerous. It could encourage people to not to take coronavirus seriously.”

The minister added: “It’s entirely right and proper to debate and question policies. It’s legitimate to ask if the right balance is being found in what is being done; if the right steps are being taken. But Van Morrison is going way beyond raising questions.”

The singer hit back at Mr Swann through his official Facebook page.

Sir Van said: “Today I ask the NI Health Minister to disclose all the scientific evidence he has to hand to the people of Northern Ireland so that it may be open to public scrutiny. I accept that I am not an epidemiologist but then of course neither is he.

“However, I’m more than willing to present the evidence to eminent minds within this field of medicine as by doing so we may find useful solutions to the very serious issues we now face as a society. It’s his job to prove the science, not mine. I am simply questioning it.”

Hardship fund applications forms are available at www.vanmorrison.com/save-live-music