LIVE welcomes Burnham’s business rates cut

On Thursday, as one of his first official acts as Prime Minister, Andy Burnham announced a cut to business rates for pubs, clubs and music venues. This announcement is a welcome sign that Burnham’s Government recognises the vital role live music venues play in supporting jobs, attracting visitors and driving economic activity in towns and cities across the country.

We understand the desire to target support where it is needed most, but it’s important that the criteria reflects the contribution venues of all sizes make to local economies. Larger live music venues are powerful drivers of footfall, employment, and visitor spending, and they play a key role in sustaining the UK’s wider live music ecosystem. We look forward to working with Government on these details ahead of the Budget to ensure the final scheme reflects those wider economic benefits.
 
There is now an opportunity to build a business rates system that properly reflects how live music venues actually operate. Over the next two years, Government and industry should work together to create a fairer valuation methodology, including a distinct classification for live music venues. 
 
Getting this right would provide long-term certainty for a sector that contributes billions to the UK economy, supports thousands of jobs and brings communities together in every part of the country.

Government launches Music Plan – gives a shout-out to LIVE Trust
 

Last week, Government launched its long-awaited Music Plan, which promises millions of pounds in investment in addition to other measures designed to boost engagement with live music. 
 
A highlight for LIVE was seeing LIVE Trust recognised in the plan:
 
"The LIVE Trust has shown outstanding leadership and has already distributed £1.5 million to vital initiatives”
 
Just a handful of key takeaways from the plan include...

Measures to cut red tape on festivals and live events with longer licences, 15% business rates relief and bills frozen for two years
An expansion of the Music Growth Fund to £45m over three years
The introduction of the Draft Ticket Tout Ban Bill, which will ban resale above original price, cap fees and protect fans from scalping 
...and plenty more.
 
Andy Burnham has now been sworn in as Prime Minister and has announced his cabinet. We’re pleased that Lisa Nandy and Ian Murray will continue their roles at DCMS having worked productively with them both already. LIVE is looking forward to continuing this relationship.
 
Read the full Music Plan here to dive into all the details.

LIVE Trust announces £1 million in additional funding
Last week, LIVE Trust announced its second phase of funding, which will distribute an additional £1 million on top of our £500,000 Phase One funding to ten deserving programmes.
 
Since then, we’ve received some great coverage in the press, from BBC News to industry outlets. We’re thrilled by the positive response and will keep riding this wave and uplifting the brilliant programmes we’re funding. Find a round-up of the coverage on our Instagram.
 
A massive thank you is due to every tour that has opted in to LIVE Trust’s £1 ticket contribution – these tours are the reason we’re able to do what we do and we’re extremely grateful to every fan who shows up night after night to sing, dance and give back to the grassroots ecosystem where their favourite artists made their names.
 
To learn more about our fantastic recipients and to ensure you don’t miss future updates on funding opportunities and more, subscribe to LIVE Trust’s mailing list.

It’s FREE to submit a LIVE Awards nomination – and entries are open now
 

Blink and the LIVE Awards will have rolled around again! We’re taking over the Troxy in East London on 9 December for 2026’s edition of the awards – and nominations are now open.
 
Did you know it’s 100% free to submit a nomination? Whether it’s for yourself or someone else who’s deserving of recognition, now is the perfect time to shout them out. Find all the category information and guidance on how to submit a nomination here.
 
Still not got your ticket to the greatest night in live music? Don’t miss out - buy yours here.

LIVE supports Government work on major events
 

LIVE CEO Jon Collins was, once again, delighted to attend a meeting of the multi-departmental working group that is developing the UK's first major events strategy.  Chaired by DCMS Minister Stephanie Peacock MP, with Home Office, DBT and Foreign Office ministers also in attendance alongside officials from a range of other departments, this is a truly cross-Whitehall piece of work.
 
It is hugely encouraging to see this level of support for such an important piece of work and LIVE has put forward a range of policy ideas to help ensure the UK is the best place in the world to develop and deliver major events. For live music, that means facilitating more gigs, concerts and festivals though policies that reduce risk – from more predictable licensing and visa regimes to an increase in financial latitude by way of a festival tax relief or a cultural rate of VAT.

LIVE Green has been busy – here's what we’ve been up to...
 

LIVE Green attends Earthfest 
During London Climate Action Week, our Impact Consultant Ross Patel joined Earthfest's Future of Music & Entertainment summit. They presented on the industry’s sustainability progress, which was followed by an industry panel on the importance of greening the sector's future; fitting timing, given the unbearably hot weather.

MDE campaign highlights environmental impact
Lewis Jamieson from Music Declares Emergency presented the Save Our Festivals campaign, highlighting the increasing impact environmental factors have on UK music festivals. The campaign is pushing public support for the Climate and Nature Bill - sign the petition or contact Lewis to get your festival, event or venue involved. 

Ecotricity Business share new blog on sustainable festivals
Check out the new blog from Ecotricity Business which asks the question: how do you power a temporary city, built from scratch in a field, and take it down a week later without leaving a carbon legacy that outlasts the memories? Read the full piece here.

And now, updates from LIVE Workforce...

REMEL
REMEL's research shows that across London, Black and South Asian-led music events are disproportionately cancelled, restricted or blocked versus white-led events, costing £127-£141 million in missed live music spend a year. The full report will come out in September, with a set of recommendations to create a fairer, safer and more consistent approach to the licensing and policing of live music events across London.
 
Wide Events
Kit Carr joined us from Wide Events, an organisation that delivers a range of projects and events centred around artist development in Scotland. The funding Wide Events received in Phase One of the LIVE Trust enabled them to significantly expand their development programmes and create vital new opportunities for the next generation of live industry professionals and artists.

Amplify Apprenticeship Scheme launches
Amplify offers 12-month paid apprenticeships in place of unpaid internships, with employers getting funded training and a 25% salary contribution.

ISM's Dignity in Music survey
ISM's anonymous survey tracks discrimination in music since 2022 and helps build the case for safer workplaces. Take part here.

Zero hours contracts consultation
Government's consultation on reforming zero-hours contracts closes Tuesday 25 August — find out more here.

To find out more about any of the above initiatives or to get involved, email info@livemusic.biz.
Home Office hosts Martyn’s Law webinar for LIVE members
The Home Office hosted a webinar for LIVE members on the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act – also known as Martyn’s Law – as part of their Summer Webinar series.
 
It was an informative session, providing detailed explanations of the act and what’s required of premises and events in its scope. Attendees were also able to ask any questions they had about the implementation of Martyn's Law.
 
We hope to follow it up with another webinar on the Law after summer, building upon this initial session with any further updates and guidance. 
 

Home Office hosts Martyn’s Law webinar for LIVE members

The Home Office hosted a webinar for LIVE members on the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act – also known as Martyn’s Law – as part of their Summer Webinar series.
 
It was an informative session, providing detailed explanations of the act and what’s required of premises and events in its scope. Attendees were also able to ask any questions they had about the implementation of Martyn's Law.
 
We hope to follow it up with another webinar on the Law after summer, building upon this initial session with any further updates and guidance.