Government gets behind live music to drive economic growth
LIVE has welcomed the Government’s publication of their 10-year industrial strategy. A strategy that prioritises the creative industries as evidenced in the accompanying Industrial Strategy: Creative Industries Sector Plan. In particular, LIVE was pleased to see recognition of our work on the LIVE Trust, significant increases in funding available to support music (and music within the wider creative industries) and a commitment to action on a range of issues we have championed.
The full plan is well worth a read, its breadth of scope and long term thinking should deliver an improved operating environment for all across music. A highlight is the “Up to £30 million for a new Music Growth package over the next three years to help more UK emerging artists break through on a domestic and international stage. With Arts Council England and the sector, [Government] will support emerging artists with touring, performance, mentoring and export opportunities, and music businesses to strengthen grassroots infrastructure and invest in a portfolio of high potential artists”.
In addition, there are investment plans and programmes covering a new Creative Skills Forum, Creative Freelance Champion, Creative Places Growth Fund, strengthening of Agent of Change, implementation of the recommendations from the recent licensing sprint and a net zero public engagement strategy. Plenty to keep us busy in the months and years ahead!
LIVE Touring: UK & EU bodies consider next steps
The Creative Industry Sector Plan also notes the Government’s commitment to improved EU touring arrangements:
"As committed to at the UK‑EU Summit in May, we are supporting travel and cultural exchange, including the activities of touring artists. In doing so, we will make it easier for UK artists to perform in Europe and deliver mutual economic and cultural benefits for the UK and the EU."
This commitment was reiterated by Minister Nick Thomas Symonds in a recent letter to LIVE in which he made clear that the Government remains focused on engaging with the EU and member states to secure improved touring arrangements across the continent. LIVE welcomes this commitment and the ongoing prioritisation of this issue by the Government and will continue to work with them to identify the best way forward.
LIVE Talks: Powering the Future of Live Music in partnership with Ecotricity
Thank you to everyone who joined us for this week’s LIVE Talks: Powering the Future of Live Music in partnership with Ecotricity. As the industry looks to decarbonise and tackle its energy footprint head-on, this session offered timely insights into how the live music sector can, and is, transitioning to cleaner, greener power, from festivals and venues to suppliers and offices.
A huge thank you to our fantastic panel of speakers: Antony Wolowiec (Ecotricity), Ross Patel (LIVE Green), Claire O’Neill (A Greener Future), Ed Butler (LS Events), Jake Vernum (Pearce Hire), and Jamal Chalabi (A Greener Tour / Massive Attack). Your expertise, practical advice, and forward-thinking ideas are helping shape a more sustainable future for live events.
It was especially brilliant to hear first-hand how the team behind LIDO Festival worked tirelessly to make sure their energy supply was as green as possible by:
Powering the Massive Attack show with 100% renewable energy from on-site batteries supplied by Grid Faeries x Ecotricity, charged by the wind and sun
Maximising use of Victoria Park’s connection to the national grid to reduce reliance on generators overall
Utilising renewable HVO Biodiesel and green-hydrogen in their generators to reduce carbon footprint versus using standard diesel fuel
Working with all on-site contractors to maximise energy efficiency to reduce overall fuel usage
If you missed the session or want to revisit the discussion, you can now watch it back and download full details about the Live Events Energy Scheme (LEES) via the LIVE website
Ticketing: Home Office warns on scams and commits to legislation
The Home Office has joined DCMS and DBT in confirming the Government’s commitment to the introduction of legislation to put in place measures to remove organised gangs and ticket touts from the secondary ticketing market in the UK.
Fraud Minister Lord Hanson said, “While millions of Britons are getting ready to attend concerts this summer, the scammers are getting ready to exploit the desperate search for tickets, posting fake messages on social media sites offering to resell tickets they can’t use, or making last-minute offers from fake ticket companies. That is why our campaign is called Stop! Think Fraud, so no matter how real a deal looks, we all need to take a moment to think: am I being ripped off? So, let’s all stay cautious, stay alert, and stay protected from fraud. Don’t let the scammers ruin your summer”.
You can read more on the Government’s work in this space here. While publicising the Stop! Campaign, the Home Office referenced, “government plans to tackle greedy ticket touts through new measures announced earlier this year which will put a cap on the price of resold tickets for concerts, live sport and other events, to put the power back in the hands of fans”.
Electronic Travel Authorisation: roll out complete, enforcement on the horizon
The UK Government has now completed the rollout of Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA). This means that, all eligible nationals, who are visiting or transiting landside through the UK will require an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA). The Home Office has now been clear that the next key milestone will be the strict enforcement of ETA. The date for this strict enforcement is yet to be confirmed, however, you can keep track of developments and access further information on ETA’s HERE.
The Home Office recognises that live music festivals, concerts and tours attract visitors from across the world, and see it is important that these international visitors are aware that travelling to the UK has changed. As they move to enforcement, they want to make sure that visitors and supporters can travel to events without hindrance.
Join us on Wednesday 10th December 2025 as the UK live music industry comes together for an unforgettable evening at the LIVE Awards - a night dedicated to celebrating the people and places that make our sector thrive.
Now in its fourth year, the LIVE Awards 2025 will take place at the iconic Troxy in East London, a stunning Art Deco venue that’s hosted generations of unforgettable events. We’ll be welcoming 600 guests from across the industry, including leading promoters, venues, agents, festivals, managers, and many more key figures.
Don’t miss your chance to be part of this special night - full details on the LIVE Awards 2025 are available here.