Musicians warned about bogus music event

Bristol musicians are being warned about a fake event conning money out of would-be performers.

Bristol City Council’s Trading Standards officers are alerting people to a fake concert that is supposedly planned for the Downs in January 2010.

The event is being advertised through a Hotmail account claiming to be from the company MusicSpeaks.

A spokesperson for the Speak Network said: “I confirm this is nothing to do with us and very unlike the way Music Speaks operates. We exist to help grassroots artists share their work without cost so would definitely not be asking them for any kind of registration fee to perform.”

The fake organisers are claiming an audience of 3,000 people are turning up to hear musicians from across the UK. Places are being advertised as being on a first come, first service basis with people being charged to perform.

Bristol City Council’s Trading Standards manager, Jonathon Martin said: “This proposed event has all the hallmarks of a scam,” says. “For what is supposed to be such a large event, it seems unlikely that they would have no licence, no event management plan or even a confirmed date of when it is supposed to be taking place next month. Further, inquiries with the Speak Network, which incorporates the genuine Music Speaks organisation confirm they are completely unconnected with the event and the website.

“We are investigating further and working as quickly as possible to get the payment facility closed down, but in the meantime we would advise any musicians to ignore it and most certainly not to hand over any payment for the event.”