Myles Smith used the platform of his BRIT Awards acceptance speech to call of the government to act to support the music industry.
The Luton singer-songwriter was named the BRITs Rising Star at the ceremony at London’s O2 on Saturday night (March 1), following in the footsteps of the likes of Adele, Sam Smith and The Last Dinner Party.
When he took to the stage, Smith took the opportunity to speak his mind about the struggles the music industry is currently facing in the UK and his proposals for what can be done to improve the situation.
“I was a kid raised by a single mum on free school meals in a state school that only had instruments because of government-backed schemes,” he began. “And I’m somehow here, a four time BRIT nominee, a graduate from a Russell Group university and having the biggest hit single of 2024.”
“But tonight, whilst I have the attention of the nation, and this award which gives me this really cool speaking power, I want to ask three questions. My first is to the government – if British music is one of the most powerful cultural exports we have, why have we treated it like an afterthought for so many years?”
“How many more venues need to close, how many music programs need to be cut before we realise that we can’t just celebrate success, we have to protect the foundations that make it.”
“My second is to the biggest venues and arenas around the world – if artists selling out your arenas and your stadiums started in grassroots venues, what are you doing to keep them alive?”
“And my third, to the industry, to the execs in the room and to the people behind the scenes – are we building careers or are we just chasing moments? Because moments fade and careers take time. So please stick with artists past their first viral hit, past their first tour, because it really matters to us. Moments, they fade, but careers last forever.”
Smith was one of three shortlisted acts for the Rising Star Award, alongside Elmiene and Good Neighbours, decided upon by a panel of music journalists, radio and music TV station bosses, songwriters, producers and live bookers.
He also came in at number four on the BBC’s Sound Of list for 2025.