Skiddle Announced as Headline Sponsor of the LIVE Awards

LIVE is delighted to confirm Skiddle as the headline sponsor of the LIVE Awards in a new three-year partnership, as part of a wider strategic agreement.

Returning to London’s Troxy in December 2025, the LIVE Awards will bring together 600+ industry professionals to celebrate the people and organisations shaping the UK’s live music scene.

The partnership extends beyond the awards, with Skiddle supporting LIVE’s sector-leading research (LIVE Insights), continuing its role in LIVE Talks, and co-hosting regional industry events over the next three years.

Jon Collins, CEO of LIVE, said: "We’re delighted to welcome Skiddle’s return as our headline sponsor for the LIVE Awards. As a long-term partner of LIVE, this agreement is not just about one night of celebration – it is a shared commitment to the future of live music. Skiddle’s support across our research, events, and industry engagement will help strengthen our work on behalf of the whole sector." 

Duncan King, Head of Festivals & Partnerships, Skiddle, said: "This three-year partnership with LIVE is an exciting step for us, building on the work we’ve already done together to support and celebrate the live music industry. Being headline sponsor of the LIVE Awards is the perfect way to kick it off — it’s always the best night of the year and a brilliant celebration of the people, places and events that make this industry so special. We’re looking forward to working closely with LIVE across research, LIVE Talks and industry events to make a real difference over the next three years."

In addition, The LIVE Awards has also confirmed Attitude is Everything as its official charity partner for 2025. A valued partner of LIVE, Attitude is Everything connects disabled people with the music and live events industries to improve access together, working to ensure that live experiences are open, inclusive, and enjoyable for all.

Paul Hawkins, Interim Managing Director, Attitude is Everything, said: “We’re really excited to be named the official charity partner for the LIVE Awards 2025. We have collaborated with LIVE previously and have admired their drive for building inclusive spaces in the live music and events industry. This partnership reflects our shared vision to make the industry a more welcoming and accessible space for all.”

Read more here.

LIVE Talks Recap: Beyond the Binary with Come Play With Me

The latest edition of LIVE Talks saw LIVE team up with Leeds-based music development organisation Come Play With Me for Beyond the Binary, a session dedicated to building greater understanding of gender diversity and creating more inclusive spaces across the live music sector.

Hosted by Antonia Lines, COO at Come Play With Me, the talk offered practical insights into supporting trans and gender non-conforming people in the industry. Covering everything from inclusive language and pronoun use to policies and everyday allyship, the session provided attendees with tools to take meaningful action in their own workplaces and everyday lives.

Designed to be welcoming for all levels of understanding, Beyond the Binary created a safe, open environment for reflection, questions, and discussion. Participants left with a stronger awareness of the barriers faced by gender diverse people and practical steps to remove them.

The event forms part of LIVE Talks’ ongoing programme, which creates spaces for knowledge-sharing and dialogue around key industry issues including diversity, sustainability and wellbeing

Catch the full recording here, plus explore extra resources.

LIVE Expert Groups: No Summer Slow Down as Policy Work Accelerates

August, with Parliament on its summer break, normally means things will slow down when it comes to policy development and legislative proposals.  But that has not been the case for LIVE in 2025 as Government and Parliament have kept us busy across a range of key policies.  

Work continues on EU touring reform with a particular focus on outreach to our EU based colleagues.  An announcement on plans to remove ticket touts through the introduction of a cap on resale is imminent.  Myriad proposals from the Licensing Taskforce are being worked on as part of the Government’s pro-growth vision for licensing reform, including: a  new National Licensing Policy Framework; scrapping local newspaper advertising for licences; setting clearer standards and structured mechanisms for objections and reviews; delivering longer licences for festivals; and, strengthening the ‘agent of change’ principle.  While the CMS Committee continues to work in areas highly relevant to live music with a new inquiry into major events and a fan-led review of live music.

Separately and together, these proposals, and LIVE’s wider work, will improve the operating environment for all in live music across the UK.  Simplified touring, removing touts, streamlined licensing and a stronger business and growth agenda will reduce costs, remove complexities and open up new opportunities.  If you want to help shape LIVE’s work and are not already part of our expert groups then please do get in touch