MU members can receive an exclusive discount of 30% off Un-Convention conference tickets, please contact the North of England Regional Office to receive the code. Photo: Shutterstock.
The MU will be joining Un-Convention in Manchester city centre on Friday 23 October for a special panel at 11:00am. Titled ‘Letting the UKAT Out of the Bag’, the panel will examine how UKAT is supporting artists to develop sustainable touring careers as a ‘cost of touring’ crisis continues to create significant pressure and make touring at scale unviable for many.
Established by the Featured Artists Coalition (FAC) in close partnership with The MU and the Music Managers Forum (MMF), the fund is financed through the LIVE Trust, which receives income from a voluntary £1 contribution added to tickets for arena and stadium concerts. The initiative provides direct financial support to UK artists, helping them overcome barriers to touring and reach new audiences.
30% off Un-Convention conference tickets for MU members
The Un-Convention panel will be chaired by Paul Reed, the MU's North of England Regional Organiser, and will feature Kelly Wood, the MU's National Organiser for Live, Theatre and Music Writers, alongside musicians Emily Portman and Imogen Williams, both recipients of funding through the scheme's first round.
Drawing on first-hand experience, speakers will discuss the realities facing artists on the road, explain how the fund operates, and share insights into the difference targeted touring support can make to musicians at different stages of their careers.
The discussion will also explore future funding opportunities and the importance of continued investment in the musicians who underpin the foundation of the UK's live music ecosystem.
MU members can receive an exclusive discount of 30% off conference tickets, please contact the North of England Regional Office by emailing noe@themu.org to receive the code.
We’ll also be in Newcastle for Generator Live on 21 October
In addition, as part of this year's Generator Live Conference in Newcastle upon Tyne on 21 October, North of England Regional Organiser Paul Reed is taking part in a panel discussion titled ‘Keeping Music on the Road’.
The session will explore the challenges facing artists and their teams in an increasingly difficult touring landscape and examine how the LIVE Trust and UK Artist Touring Fund (UKAT) are helping musicians to overcome rising costs, reach new audiences and build more sustainable careers.
Joining Paul on the panel will be Imogen Williams, Thomas Brigden (Fund Manager, Featured Artists Coalition) and Victoria Smith (Trustee, LIVE Trust). Further information about the Generator Live Conference and tickets can be found here.