Labor unions representing Broadway musicians have announced they are opposing the production of David Byrne’s musical Here Lies Love, citing that it breaks the union contract that requires live performers for musicals.
The musical — an immersive, dance-driven musical about Imelda Marcos, the former first lady of the Philippines — is scheduled to start previews on June 17 and to open on July 20 at the Broadway Theater. Byrne co-wrote the music with Fatboy Slim. First conceived 17 years ago, every production has been performed to a prerecorded track but has only been performed at off-Broadway locations.
The decision to have Here Lies Love be a fully prerecorded musical has caused quite an uproar online as many people are outraged as it is single-handedly undermining the 157-year history of live music on Broadway. Audiences are paying full price for a show may feel ripped off, only to discover a live Broadway show is accompanied by a pre-recorded soundtrack.
Thus, professional musicians are losing jobs due to this decision by Byrne. The American Federation of Musicians’ Local 802 claims the production violates the union’s contract with the Broadway League by using pre-recorded tracks instead of a live band. In a statement, they said:
A show with no live music and just pre-recorded tracks is absolutely an existential threat to Broadway- and is a cultural threat to musical theater worldwide. For generations, audiences have experienced Broadway shows with live music performed by the best musicians in the world, and by using just pre-recorded tracks it not only cheapens the art it’s putting jobs and livelihoods at risk. Our musicians are heartbroken that David Byrne – a legend – is attempting this and we strongly hope he reconsiders.
Local 802
Local 802 went on to say that Here Lies Love violates union Broadway rules, which require the use of 19 musicians for musicals at the Broadway Theater. The union says it is seeking to preserve jobs for musicians and quality for theater lovers. “We’re not going to stand by and let this happen,” said Tino Gagliardi, the local’s president and executive director. “It’s not fair to the public.”
In a statement, Bryne and the show said “Here Lies Love is not a traditional Broadway musical. The music is drawn outside of the traditional musical genre. The performance of the live vocals to pre-recorded, artificial tracks is paramount to its artistic concept. Production has ripped out the seats in the theater and built a dance floor. There is no longer a proscenium stage.”
While Byrne says the show is special and there is a reasoning behind this, his decision violates union agreements, which have been in the news as of late with the Writers Guild striking for better and fairer wages and working conditions. In 2017, David Byrne proudly wrote that “investment in the arts doesn’t cost us money – it makes us money.” Now, Byrne is deinvesting in the arts by using recorded music instead of professional live musicians. This ongoing issue may influence crowds for Here Lies Love with many angry at this decision, prominent musicians and theatergoers alike.
An update as of June 9- a statement from Local 802 NYC Musicians Union President and Executive Director Tino Gagliardi on agreement with Here Lies Love says “After negotiation, we have reached an agreement that will bring live music to Here Lies Love with the inclusion of 12 musicians to the show. Broadway is a very special place with the best musicians and performances in the world, and we are glad this agreement honors that tradition.” The group is made up of nine musicians and three musician actors, and all will be Local 802 members.
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