UKAT is being delivered by the Featured Artists Coalition, with the MU and Music Managers Forum as partners. Photo: Shutterstock.
The first beneficiaries of UKAT, the fund set up to provide top-up funding for artists, have been announced. They include 26 acts performing at grassroots and mid-sized venues.
This is the result of funding from the LIVE Trust, the charity established to collect and distribute proceeds from voluntary ticket contributions at arena and stadium shows. The LIVE Trust is allocating funding across the live sector – artists, promoters, venues and festivals – and in this first phase, £125,000 was awarded to UKAT, allowing the fund to launch in March 2026.
UKAT is being delivered by the Featured Artists Coalition, with the MU and Music Managers Forum as partners.
Supporting sustainable touring
In this first phase, application criteria was limited to headline shows taking place before 31 October 2026. However, there are plans to develop the fund further, with a view to supporting more artists in different ways going forward.
UKAT supports fair pay for all members of the touring party and also allows artists to apply for a separate Access Fund, which can cover expenses related to access, caring responsibilities and childcare.
UKAT also encourages and assists artists to tour safely and productively, enabling them to take their best show on the road. In many cases, artists cut back on session players and crew to limit the financial risk of touring, but UKAT can help plug these gaps and support tours to break even.
Phase one artists announced
The artists receiving UKAT funding in phase one are:
- Belle Chen
- Bonfire Radicals
- Brown Horse
- Chris Brain
- deary
- Demob Happy
- Donae’O
- Duke Special
- Ego Ella May
- Elephant Sessions
- Eleni Drake
- Emily Portman & Friends
- Gwilym Gold
- Hollie Cook
- Imogen and the Knife
- Jim Ghedi
- Lake Malice
- Man/Woman/Chainsaw
- MEMORIALS
- NOAHFINNCE
- Oslo Twins
- Puma Blue
- Tom Waters Band ft Geoff Achison
- TRIP
- V.I.C
- Wax Head.
MU thanks the LIVE Trust and our members for their solidarity
Kelly Wood, MU National Organiser for Live, Theatre and Music Writers, says:
“We're delighted to see these first Phase One distributions through the UKAT fund. The diversity and volume of applications have been overwhelming, and it’s clear that the economics of live touring are forcing artists to make creative compromises with their shows and scale back on line-ups.
“This situation is severely impacting session musicians, particularly those from lower socio-economic backgrounds. The MU believes UKAT can help alleviate some of this financial uncertainty and ensure that the UK’s touring networks and stages are accessible to all.
“There is much more to do, but we’re also incredibly grateful to the LIVE Trust, without whom none of this would be possible, and to those MU members who have supported a £1 ticket contribution at their arena and stadium shows and shown such solidarity with fellow artists working across smaller venues.”
Learn more about UKAT and LIVE trust funding.