We are delighted that UKAT has received such a significant increase in support. Photo: Shutterstock
The Featured Artists Coalition (FAC) has announced a substantial increase in support from the LIVE Trust for the UK Artist Touring (UKAT) fund, with an additional £300,000 collected through voluntary ticket contributions at large-scale music events, including shows by Harry Styles, Take That, Wolf Alice, Lorde, Kasabian, Radiohead, Jessie Ware, Basement Jaxx and Duran Duran.
Applications for artists to access this funding opened on Wednesday 26 August at 10am, with a deadline for submissions of Friday 11 September.
Find out more and apply to the UK Artist Touring (UKAT) fund.
Expanded support for artists
The second phase of UKAT expands the original application criteria, with artists now able to apply for up to £8,000 of support, or 40% of eligible tour expenditure, whichever is lower.
The fund will continue to support headline tours, while artists can now also apply for tours incorporating support shows and festival appearances, as well as unconfirmed or tentative bookings which are confirmed before funding is awarded.
The remaining application criteria are unchanged. View the full eligibility details.
Addressing the cost of touring
UKAT was established on a simple premise – that providing artists with “top up” financial support to cover shortfalls in their touring budgets is the most efficient way of addressing wider economic challenges in the UK’s live music market.
For the vast majority of artists, the fixed costs of performing in small and medium-sized venues far outweigh the income generated by ticket sales or guarantees. Inevitably, this situation results in fewer bookings, pulled gigs, reduced employment and even compromises on safety. If artists cannot afford to tour, the entire live music ecosystem collapses.
UKAT was designed to help alleviate these challenges. The fund made its first distributions in April 2026, with 26 artists across the UK receiving targeted investment from the £125,000 initially allocated by the LIVE Trust.
As a result of this initial “rapid response” intervention, 211 shows will take place across the UK that might otherwise have been cancelled.
Read more about the artists supported in the first phase.
MU support
The MU is a founding partner of the UK Artist Touring (UKAT) fund, alongside the Featured Artists Coalition (FAC) and Music Managers Forum (MMF), which launched in March 2026.
Kelly Wood, MU National Organiser for Live, Theatre and Music Writers, says: “The launch of UKAT back in March was a pivotal moment for the live sector, and a huge relief for artists embarking on essential yet ultimately loss-making tours.
“The extent of the cost-of-touring crisis is such that even well-known artists on sold-out tours can be left out of pocket and scaling back their band and crew in order to keep their shows on the road. As well as reducing those pressures, the fund has also had a demonstrable impact on the wider live music ecosystem. We are delighted this has been recognised by the LIVE Trust and that UKAT has received such a significant increase in support – allowing us to extend these benefits even further.”
In August, the MU hosted a one-hour webinar for members to learn more about Phase Two of the UK Artist Touring Fund (UKAT), covering eligibility criteria, the application process and assessment criteria.
The session was presented by MU Head of Live, Theatre and Music Writers Kelly Wood and Featured Artists Coalition CEO David Martin. They were also joined by Verity Susman of the band MEMORIALS, who has previously received funding from UKAT. View the recording below using the password k#rnN$J2.
New partnership to support Northern artists
For the second phase, the FAC has also partnered with the Northern Music Export Office (NMEO), powered by Generator, to increase UKAT support for artists based in the North East, Tees Valley and West Yorkshire.
The partnership will provide additional co-investment and dedicated touring support for eligible artists in these areas, helping them build audiences and develop sustainable live careers.
Read more from the MU about the Northern Music Export Office.