Musicians back Music Matters campaign

Big names from across the music industry have backed a new campaign promoting the financial and intellectual value of music.

The Music Matters campaign has been designed to discourage consumers from using illegal file sharing websites.

It is also hoped the initiative will encourage young people to pursue careers in music themselves, as they will be taught about inspirational and pioneering artists from the past.

Bernard Butler of Suede fame is among those to back the campaign, which he said could get young people excited about music and aware of its true value.

"I don't think this campaign or these films are trying to plead poverty," he told BBC 6 Music.

"They don't mention downloading - they're actually talking about whether music means something."

He added that he does not think the music industry is on the verge of dying out.

However, Butler said it is very important that children become sufficiently interested in music so they go on to make it themselves.

Butler first rose to prominence in the early 1990s with Suede, notching up hits such as Trash, Beautiful Ones and Saturday Night.

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