UK Tour Contributions Generate £500K for Grassroots Venues and Artists

Join the movement to support grassroots music venues with contributions from UK tours raising £500,000 thanks to artists like Pulp and Mumford & Sons.

Introduction: A Collective Effort for Grassroots Music

In an inspiring display of solidarity, UK tour ticket contributions have recently amassed a whopping £500,000 for grassroots music venues. This remarkable feat was made possible thanks to donations from renowned artists like Pulp and Mumford & Sons.

The Live Trust Initiative

The impressive fundraising efforts stem from artists pledging £1 from each ticket sold on the UK leg of their tours, contributing to the Live Trust. This initiative was birthed in response to the findings of last year’s investigation into the status of grassroots music venues. The Live Trust aims to provide essential financial support to those involved in live music, including venues, artists, festivals, and promoters.

Advocacy for a Ticket Levy

David Martin of the Featured Artists Coalition expressed his hopes for a possible levy to support the initiative, stating, “What I would like to see happen is a £1 blanket levy on all gigs above a 5,000 capacity very quickly, with that funding going to the Live Trust and distributed between venues and artists in parity, with some of the money going to promoters as well.”

Pulp was the first act to commit to this initiative by donating £1 from each ticket sold during their UK arena tour. They were soon joined by Mumford & Sons, Diana Ross, and Hans Zimmer.

Impressive Results So Far

The Live Trust has already secured over £500,000 in ticket contributions from various UK tours of both domestic and international artists. Jon Collins, CEO of LIVE, remarked, “This is a welcome milestone for The LIVE Trust and marks a very significant contribution to the grassroots live music sector. What this demonstrates is that there is a real appetite from performers and their teams to support the wider live ecosystem and we applaud and thank those that have already taken this initiative.”

However, Collins noted that while this is an excellent start, convincing the government to adopt a voluntary rather than statutory levy remains a challenge.

Government Support and the Future of Grassroots Music

The campaign for a ticket levy, backed by the Music Venue Trust (MVT), aims to create a sustainable financial model for grassroots venues. It draws inspiration from the “Premier League model” in sports, where top-tier organizations contribute to the ecosystem to ensure a steady influx of talent.

The MVT has gathered support from major artists like Coldplay, Sam Fender, Enter Shikari, and Katy Perry, resulting in over £580,000 reinvested into the grassroots music network through 147 grants. Recent surveys show that over 90 percent of music fans support the £1 ticket levy, recognizing its potential to sustain grassroots music venues.

The State of the Live Music Scene

The call for large music venues to support their smaller counterparts comes amid alarming statistics. The UK has lost one grassroots music venue every two weeks in 2024, with nearly half of them operating at a loss and 200 in dire situations. Experts warn that without urgent assistance, the grassroots music scene could face complete collapse.

Creative Industries Minister Sir Chris Bryant recently emphasized the importance of small venues, stating, “You don’t get big venue success tours without small venue innovation and creativity.” He also commented on the government’s readiness to support a voluntary levy, stating, “If there isn’t a voluntary levy in short order, then we will take action. That would mean a statutory levy which would take time, so I’d much prefer a voluntary levy.”

“There’s nothing more special than going to a big arena show of an act that you first saw in a tiny, tiny venue,” he added.

Conclusion: The Path Forward for Grassroots Music

As we continue to navigate the challenges facing the live music industry, the collaborative efforts of artists, fans, and the government are more crucial than ever. The substantial contributions from UK tours highlight a growing commitment to preserving the vibrant culture of grassroots music.

Will we see more artists join this noble cause? The future of live music largely depends on our collective action.

FAQs:

• How do the contributions work for grassroots venues? Artists donate £1 from each ticket sold, which goes directly to the Live Trust, providing essential support for grassroots venues.
• What is the Live Trust? The Live Trust is a funding initiative aimed at offering financial support to various aspects of live music, including venues, artists, and promoters.
• Which artists have pledged money to grassroots venues? Artists like Pulp, Mumford & Sons, Diana Ross, and Hans Zimmer are among those who have pledged contributions to the Live Trust.
• What are the statistics regarding grassroots venues in the UK? The UK is losing one grassroots music venue every two weeks, highlighting the urgent need for support to sustain these vital spaces.
• What is the government's stance on a ticket levy? The government supports a voluntary ticket levy to help sustain grassroots venues, with a statutory levy as a backup if needed.

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