LIVE Trust: Radiohead, Rick Astley, Ed Sheeran and My Chemical Romance among the latest tours to pledge support
More exciting news from the LIVE Trust as the breadth and range of tours offering support continues to grow. My Chemical Romance became the first Wembley Stadium tour dates to support the Trust while upcoming arena tours and shows from Radiohead, Rick Astley, Olivia Dean and Ed Sheeran are also offering support. The LIVE Trust also welcomed an exciting move by Only the Poets to have their Brixton Academy show offer tickets at a pound with an additional pound going to support our work.
The LIVE Trust now has a full time Senior Programme Manager in place to guide that work, a role funded in the first year by Arts Council England. With trustees having met yesterday to develop their first grant making strategy, stand by for further news on how the monies raised will be used to support grassroots music across the UK.
LIVE Annual Report: Record year but grassroots crisis still bites
LIVE has published its 2024 annual report, incorporating analysis from 55,000 gigs, concerts, festivals and events, that shows the sector has enjoyed another record year. The data shows one gig took place every 137 seconds across the UK in 2024, with total consumer spend reaching a record £6.7bn, a year-on-year increase of 9.5%. However, despite the positive headline figures, significant challenges remain for grassroots music venues, small festivals, independent promoters and up-and-coming artists all of which are vital to the future of UK live music. Acknowledging these issues and the need to address them LIVE has played a pivotal role throughout the last twelve months in working with government and the wider music industry to advocate for policies that will improve trading conditions and develop sustainable funding solutions (not least, the LIVE Trust).
Jon Collins, CEO of LIVE said, “2024 was a standout year for LIVE as we took our seat at the top table of Government. While UK live music continued the post-lockdown trend of strong performance for the biggest names at the biggest venues, while pressure built across our grassroots as venues closed, tours were cancelled or cut back and festivals called time. And yet, as the figures in this report show, we can be a driver of that growth in all regions, towns and cities across the country. Live music is a joyous experience and venues and festivals of all shapes and sizes, operated by world-class teams and showcasing world-class established and emerging talent, will continue to delight audiences for decades to come as long as industry and Government protects and nurtures the ecosystem.”
Steve Lamacq, Chair of LIVE said, “It is a really exciting time for live music. More and more people have enjoyed going to gigs over the past year. There’s more shows, more choice and incredibly one live gig every 137 seconds. It’s testimony to the fact that live music brings people together and provides experiences and memories that will stay with us for years to come. Whether that’s a mega star in a stadium or an up-and-coming band or artist playing their heart out in your local grassroots venue, live music is the most exciting, immediate and sometimes life-changing part of the music industry. With the launch of the LIVE Trust, we hope to make sure that those crucial small venues can survive and flourish so that they can continue to nurture the acts that’ll be filling venues and headlining festivals in years to come."
Government Reshuffle: Bryant leaves DCMS and lands at DBT
It is the nature of modern politics that ministers move around (and in and out of Government) as events unfold. Unfortunately, this week, that meant Sir Chris Bryant MP, the best Culture Minister for many years, moving on to take up a role in the Department of Business and Trade. We thank the Minister for his work on EU touring and secondary ticketing and his championing of the LIVE Trust. With luck, his new role at DBT will allow him to remain involved in at least some of these issues. LIVE also notes that this reshuffle meant Kerry McCarthy MP left her role as Climate Minister. We thank Kerry for her work (and passion for live music) and hope to work with her again in the future.
Martyn’s Law: work to continue through to 2027
LIVE met this week with the Home Office team piloted the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act through Parliament earlier this year. Also known as Martyn’s Law, the T(PoP) Act sets a framework for a new inspectorate in support of a tiered protect duty for venues over 200 capacity (with an enhanced duty for venues and events over 800 capacity). There has been much debate and discussion about the approach adopted in the Act, the powers of inspectors and potential sanctions. LIVE was pleased to hear that we are still on track for commencement of this regime in 2027 and that we will be consulted on the development of statutory guidance. Importantly, the Home Office is committed to countering some o the myths and misunderstandings around the Act and will be working with LIVE on communications opportunities this Autumn.
CMS Committee: LIVE submits evidence to Major Events Inquiry
The CMS Committee continues to build on its reputation as one of the most impactful and dynamic committees in Parliament as it gathers evidence for its latest inquiry into major events which will examine the challenges faced by the industry and how the sector can tap into new opportunities for growth and collaboration. The inquiry will look at examples of best practice across the sector, the role of the UK Government in providing support for events and any lessons that could be learnt from other countries or the devolved nations. The Committee will also consider the impact of recent policies on the sector, including the Employment Rights Bill, the Crime and Policing Bill and the implementation of the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025.
LIVE has welcomed the launch of this inquiry and is currently finalising our initial evidence ahead of the September 18th deadline for submissions. Given the broad nature of this inquiry and the diversity in events, there are many angles to consider. As such, the LIVE submission will cover everything from licensing and sustainability to taxation and security.
AIM Connected: LIVE presents a sector overview
LIVE was delighted to present at the AIM Connected event this week having been invited to offer a ‘Strong Opinion’ on the state of the live music sector. This was great timing given the publication of our annual report and the progress with the LIVE Trust. In addition, we were able to offer updates on our work with Government on EU touring, secondary ticketing and the T(PoP) Act and a positive vision for the future given industry efforts and Government investment. All presentations will be available to AIM members in the coming weeks and months.