"We urgently need to see the introduction of a robust and sustainable funding mechanism, allowing artists to carry out tours without significant risk". Photo: Shutterstock.
The MU and FAC (Featured Artists Coalition) have published an open letter to the government and the UK's live music industry in response to the “cost-of-touring crisis” facing artists and performers. Although evident at all levels of live music, this crisis is particularly acute at grassroots shows.
The seriousness of the situation was recognised earlier this year in a report published by the Culture, Media & Sport Select Committee, which agreed that artists, independent promoters and grassroots venues should all benefit from a blanket ticket levy applied to arena and stadium events.
The Committee’s report recommended that a voluntary levy to support grassroots live music should be introduced by September 2024.
Unfortunately, this has failed to happen.
A blanket levy would allow for a fair distribution to all relevant parties at grassroots level
Despite a small number of artists generously donating a proportion of their ticket revenue to the Music Venue Trust, we still lack a sustainable funding mechanism that could help support touring musicians, especially in the grassroots music sector.
A blanket levy would ensure a consistent and reliable flow of funding, and allow for a fair distribution to all relevant parties at grassroots level for the long-term future. Crucially, it would facilitate direct funding for artists in order that they can plan tours without the financial jeopardy and uncertainty that many are currently experiencing.
Our organisations are urging the government to recognise this bigger picture in their response to the Select Committee report.
Artists need to be able to carry out tours without significant risk
Kelly Wood, MU National Organiser for Live, Theatre and Music Writers says, “If artists can’t rely upon a healthy and financially viable grassroots live sector, the industry as a whole suffers.
"We urgently need to see the introduction of a robust and sustainable funding mechanism, allowing artists to carry out tours without significant risk. Without this kind of support, we will lose artists from the music community, and the talent pipeline will be severely disrupted”.
Get involved
Artists and fans are being encouraged to show their support for the open letter by signing our petition, hosted by Change.org.
Have your say and help save grassroots music by supporting artists to tour.