Music streaming giant Spotify will pledge up to £8.4 million in an initiative to help musicians struggling during the coronavirus outbreak.

The company says it will also match each donation made by the public through its COVID-19 Music Relief project, created to aid organisations to help people who need support during the virus.

The company will match donations made via this page dollar for dollar up to a collective total of $10 million (£8.4 million).

“We have several COVID-19 efforts already underway, and today we’re announcing a new initiative to support members of the music community with the Spotify COVID-19 Music Relief project,” said a spokesperson from Spotify.

“Via our website, Spotify will recommend verified organisations that offer financial relief to those in the music community most in need. Spotify will match dollar-for-dollar public donations, up to a total Spotify contribution of $10 million.”

A ‘COVID-19 Hub’ has also been released, designed to help users keep up to date on the latest news on the virus as well as making contributions to health organisations.

Along with the donations, the service’s creator tools feature will also be available free of charge. SoundBetter will waive its revenue share, cloud-based recording platform Soundtrap will provide trials for educators, and podcast-making app Anchor will also waive fees on its listener support feature.

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Spotify has partnered with the music organisation Performing Rights Society for Music (PRS For Music) which has also launched an emergency relief fund in partnership with the PRS Members’ Fund and PRS Foundation, making grants of up to £1,000 available to those who have been a member for at least two years and earned more than £500 in the past two years.

Andrea C Martin, chief executive of PRS For Music, commented: “Our members are under threat as many parts of the music scene grind to a halt.

“They look to PRS for leadership, for support and to be the best and most trusted collecting society in the world.

“Members need to eat, support their families and pay rents – without industry support the future is challenging during this terrible time. Together we can get through this.”

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