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The UK Government has officially backed a levy on stadium and arena tickets to help grassroots venues

Creative Industries Minister Sir Chris Bryant has called on the live music industry to support the introduction of a voluntary levy

By Nick Reilly

Coldplay
Coldplay performing live (Picture: Anna Lee)

The UK’s live music industry has been urged by the government to introduce a levy on all stadium and arena tickets to help the future of grassroots venues.

In the wake of the DCMS select committee report on grassroots music venues earlier this year, Creative Industries Minister Sir Chris Bryant has now called on the live music industry to support the introduction of a voluntary levy on all stadium and arena tickets which will help support grassroots venues, festivals, artists and promoters across the UK.

It comes at a time when many independent music venues across the UK are fighting to keep their doors open, but official government policy now backs the levy to support them.

Creative Industries Minister Sir Chris Bryant said: “Grassroots music venues are one of the UK’s most valuable and yet undervalued cultural assets. They are where bands try out new material, where whole new genres are born, where musicians experiment and where audiences get to experience the raw power of live music. 

“These venues support thousands of jobs and are a vital part of our local communities. Without a flourishing grassroots music industry the rest of our music industry will wither.

“It is crucial that we work together to support the grassroots including venues, festivals, artists and promoters. That is why I am urging the industry voluntarily to introduce a ticket levy on the biggest commercial players, to help ensure the health and future success of our entire live music industry for decades to come.”

Sam Fender
Sam Fender performing live (Picture: Niall Lea)

The latest move comes after Coldplay announced that 10 per cent of proceeds from their UK stadium tour next summer will go towards the MVT, while Sam Fender’s upcoming arena tour will see £1 from every ticket sold going towards the organisation.

“Music Venue Trust warmly welcomes this positive response from the government. We strongly support their stance on the necessity and desirability of a grassroots contribution and believe this response sets out a clear and achievable path for the live music industry to swiftly adopt such a contribution,” said MVT CEO Mark Davyd.

“We look forward to working with both industry and government to make this financial contribution a reality as soon as possible. Industry-led investment will enable fans across the country to keep accessing the live music that they love whilst also ensuring the talent pipeline to the arena and stadium level is secure and growing. It is the perfect example of a win-win solution for all parties. 

“The CMS Select Committee report identified significant additional opportunities to return our grassroots live music sector to growth, create jobs, spread opportunity, and deliver thousands of additional events that bind our communities together. We will continue to work with the government to comprehensively address all the report’s recommendations and deliver a sustainable and bright future for the UK’s grassroots venues, artists and promoters.”