UK government announce groundbreaking new policy to support grassroots music venues
The UK government has announced a new policy to support grassroots music venues. On November 14th, it was announced that it is the government’s official policy that every ticket sold at an arena or stadium show should contain a financial contribution that supports grassroots venues, promoters, and artists.
In a post shared by the Music Venue Trust on social media, they described the news as “The single most significant shift in over fifty years of British music.” The extra money raised will ensure that small venues can stay open and support upcoming artists and industry professionals, ensuring that the music industry continues growing and producing new artists.
The Music Venue Trust acknowledged that while the news is big and could mark a significant turning point across the country, there is still more work to do.
“It’s now a question of how and when, not if, the grassroots ticketing contribution is enacted,” it wrote, “The ball is in the music industry’s court: act voluntarily or face a statutory levy. Action on business rates is coming, with further discussions on planning and licensing protections.”
They also announced that they were attempting to change ticketing prices as they pushed for reducing VAT. “We’re pushing to reduce VAT rates on tickets – the highest of any major music country.”
The news comes as significant artists have agreed to support grassroots venues on upcoming tours. Recently, Sam Fender announced that in a bid to support the charity, he would donate £1 for every ticket sold to the Trust. While this may not sound like much, it becomes a huge amount of money when people play in stadiums and arenas around the country.
Coldplay also announced they would donate 10% of the money from their tickets sold to the trust. Again, this is a percentage which amounts to a considerable sum of money.
Mark Davyd, the CEO of Music Venue Trust, said, “Coldplay are the perfect example of a UK band who came through the grassroots circuit on their way to worldwide stadium-filling success.” He added, “It’s fantastic to see them celebrating their own pathway to Wembley by giving back to the grassroots music venues that supported them and recognising the artists and promoters that are struggling more than ever to build their own careers.”
The Music Venue Trust concluded its post on social media with reflection and acknowledging the good done through the trust. “Together, we have actually changed things for the better – and together, we can do even more,” they wrote, “There is light at the end of the tunnel for grassroots music venues.”
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