First 26 Artists and 211 Tour Dates Supported by FAC’s £125k Fund to Restart Touring

The Featured Artist Coalition's £125k fund is helping musicians overcome the cost of touring crisis with support for 211 shows across grassroots and mid-sized UK venues.

Kickstarting the Comeback: FAC’s Fund in Action

If you’ve ever felt the buzz of a live gig—the collective energy, the shared thrills—you’ll understand how vital it is for musicians to get back on the road. The Featured Artist Coalition (FAC), in collaboration with the Music Managers Forum and the Musicians’ Union, has just taken a huge step towards reviving the live music scene. They’ve announced the first 26 artists receiving support from their UK Artist Touring (UKAT) fund, a £125,000 pot designed to ease the crushing financial pressure musicians face when touring.

This fund isn't just a drop in the ocean; it’s a lifeline amid a “cost of touring crisis” that’s left many artists playing full-time but earning less than minimum wage, according to a 2024 parliamentary report. This is the reality for many talented musicians who pour their hearts into live performances but struggle to keep the lights on.

Man/Woman/Chainsaw live on stage, one of the first artists supported by the fund

Where the Money Comes From: Fans, Artists, and the Industry United

What’s fascinating about this fund is how it was raised: through voluntary “levy” ticket contributions collected by the LIVE Trust. This initiative has seen generosity flow from big-name artists like Sam Fender, Harry Styles, Radiohead, Lily Allen, Ed Sheeran, and the Foo Fighters, among others. These contributions create a ripple effect, where the success of arena-level stars helps grassroots and mid-sized performers get back to playing the venues that often launch careers.

The initial £125,000 fund will support 211 shows for 26 artists, with performances scheduled at grassroots and mid-sized venues across the UK before October 31. And this is just phase one—a promising start to an ongoing effort.

The Artists Benefiting: A Diverse Lineup

The list of supported artists reads like a vibrant mixtape of the UK’s music landscape. From the edgy sounds of Man/Woman/Chainsaw and the indie vibes of Demob Happy to the soulful grooves of Ego Ella May and the jazzy depth of Puma Blue, the fund is helping a broad range of genres and voices.

Others include Donae’O, Duke Special, Gwilym Gold, Jim Ghedi, Hollie Cook, Belle Chen, Bonfire Radicals, Brown Horse, Chris Brain, Deary, Elephant Sessions, Eleni Drake, Emily Portman & Friends, Imogen and the Knife, Lake Malice, MEMORIALS, NOAHFINNCE, Oslo Twins, Tom Waters Band featuring Geoff Achison, TRIP, V.I.C, and Wax Head.

This diversity ensures that the UK music scene stays vibrant and inclusive, reflecting a wealth of talent from every corner of the country.

How the Fund Makes a Difference

The funding offers “top-up” contributions of up to £7,000 to each artist. This kind of financial boost helps reduce the huge risks tied to touring, from travel expenses and equipment to crew wages and venue costs. But beyond just money, it’s about helping artists build new audiences and grow their careers sustainably. It also ensures the entire touring ecosystem—from promoters and agents to venues and crew—gets fairly paid and that tours happen safely.

Out of more than 250 applicants, a panel of industry experts carefully reviewed every submission to select those who would benefit most. The demand highlights how urgent this support is.

Voices from the Industry: Leadership and Vision

David Martin, CEO of the Featured Artists Coalition, commented on the overwhelming response to the fund’s launch:

“Having opened Phase One of UKAT about six weeks ago, the response has been overwhelming. We’ve been inundated with applications, and I’m incredibly proud we’ve been able to move so quickly and distribute this money to where it’s most needed. It’s been an incredible team effort, and the support from the MMF, the MU and Arts Council has been invaluable.”

He emphasized the fund's role in the broader live music ecosystem:

“Today’s announcement demonstrates perfectly the impact that the LIVE Trust is making, and I hope the progress we're making with UKAT encourages more in the industry to contribute to their work. The FAC maintains that progressive and targeted investment into artists is the most effective way of addressing the cost of touring crisis and encouraging more economic activity across the live sector.”

The FAC fund is igniting hope for musicians and venues alike

Looking Ahead: Building a Sustainable Touring Future

FAC isn’t stopping here. The goal is to expand and evolve the UKAT fund, making it a permanent, rolling program that uplifts more artists across genres, backgrounds, and regions. This fund model is designed to benefit not only the musicians but everyone in the live music chain—from backing musicians and managers to promoters, agents, and venue staff.

This is especially crucial after the sobering news that 30 grassroots venues closed between July 2024 and July 2025, with more than half of those remaining running at a loss and over 6,000 jobs lost in the live sector. It’s a stark reminder of how fragile the UK’s live music ecosystem has become.

The Ticket Levy: A Key to Wider Change

The UKAT fund’s success and impact could become even more powerful if the proposed ticket levy on arena and stadium gigs gains traction. This voluntary levy, already partially in place thanks to industry efforts, was expected to see 50% of stadium and arena shows contributing by the end of 2025. That target hasn’t been met yet, but a new deadline is set for June 30, 2026.

The government is holding off on making the levy mandatory, hoping the music industry will continue stepping up voluntarily first. If fully implemented, this levy could generate far more funds to support grassroots venues and artists, creating a more resilient live music scene from the bottom up.

Wrapping Up

The first phase of FAC’s UK Artist Touring fund is a heartening sign that despite the enormous challenges, there’s a collective will to help musicians thrive again. It’s a reminder that behind every ticket sold, every show attended, is a complex ecosystem relying on passion, dedication, and increasingly, financial support.

FAQ

• How much funding was made available by the UK Artist Touring fund?
  £125,000 was allocated to support musicians with touring costs in the UK.
• How many artists benefited from the first phase of the fund?
  The first round supported 26 artists across 211 tour dates.
• What criteria were used to select the artists?
  Over 250 applicants were reviewed by an expert panel, focusing on financial need, potential for audience growth, and fair payment to the touring supply chain.
• Who contributed to raising this fund?
  Contributions came from voluntary ticket levies donated by prominent artists like Sam Fender, Harry Styles, Radiohead, Ed Sheeran, and more.
• What is the future vision for the UKAT fund?
  The fund aims to become a permanent support program, expanding to help more artists and preserve the UK’s live music ecosystem.

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