The LIVE Awards Countdown Is On!

We’re officially counting down to the LIVE Awards on 10th December at Troxy, London, and this year’s celebration is shaping up to be our best and most inspiring yet!  With a stunning set of nominees across every category, the shortlist reflects the very best of our vibrant live music community.

This year also marks our greenest and most inclusive ceremony so far.  We’re proud to introduce a dedicated Calm Space, open to anyone who needs a quiet moment away from the buzz of the awards.  For those opting for no- and low-alcohol options, the brilliant Club Soda bar will be serving an incredible menu of thoughtful drinks all night long.  And our vegan first menu highlights the emissions savings that come with moving away from meat.

The food tastes great, the drink options are wonderful so, however you choose to celebrate, we are all in for a great night.  A huge thank you to all our sponsors whose support makes the LIVE Awards possible, we couldn’t do it without you.

Get ready… it’s nearly showtime!

LIVE to give evidence in Parliament on Major Events

LIVE will be giving evidence to the Culture Media and Sport Committee in the House of Commons next Tuesday at 10.00am as they kick off oral evidence sessions for their new inquiry into major events.  This first session is an opportunity to lay down markers for the Committee to investigate further as they take additional evidence and prepare their report (to which the Government has to respond).  As such, it is an opportunity to consider where Government is acting to support our sector e.g. on secondary ticketing, the Creative Industries Sector Plan and where policy is actually unhelpful e.g. visas, policing costs and business rates. 

LIVE proud to back new Partnership Charter

Part of a packed programme of talks at the Institute of Licensing’s annual training conference, LIVE was proud to participate in the launch of a new Partnership Charter developed by the IoL with support from trade, public sector and policing bodies.  The Charter is a celebration of partnership working in the night time economy with a shared commitment to delivering safe, vibrant town and city centres.  

During the conference, Jon also spoke on artistic expression from the stage, Martyn’s Law and the Government’s licensing plans.  LIVE Board member Charisse Beaumont, Black Lives in Music, delivered a powerful analysis of the challenges around licensing in London which was hugely well received.   While LIVE Green’s Chris Johnson, Vision for Sustainable Events, and former LIVE Board member, Steve Heap were also part of the programme – advocating for the Green Events Code of Practice and the Purple Guide respectively.

LIVE Venues/Festivals: Government launches first ever National Licensing Policy Framework

A key recommendation of the Licensing Sprint (LIVE co-chaired one of three specialist groups) earlier this year, the Government has now published the first ever National Licensing Policy Framework for the hospitality and leisure sectors.  A very positive document, the NLPF seeks to deliver more consistency across local authorities and strike a positive note as to the value of our sector: 

“We are therefore asking licensing authorities to explicitly consider the need to promote growth and deliver economic benefits in their decisions”.  

The NLPF also covers Agent of Change, partnership working and strategic alignment and seeks to create an operating environment that facilitates investment in existing and new venues, extends consumer choice, drives regeneration and fosters better regulation.  

It is an ambitious piece of work that will take time to bed in with local authorities.  As the first iteration, it is likely the NLPF will develop over time and the Government has committed to giving it more teeth if required.  LIVE commends its publication and would urge everyone in live music to become familiar with its contents – particularly if you run a venue or festival.

LIVE Touring: Campaign launched to celebrate UK-EU cultural exchange

LIVE is proud to back the newly launched Cultural Exchange Coalition, co-chaired by Dave Webster (of the Musicians’ Union and LIVE Touring).  The CEC brings together creative and cultural organisations from the UK and the EU that share the common goal of translating the commitment to promote cultural exchanges agreed at the first UK-EU Summit into concrete actions, thereby strengthening creative collaboration, removing barriers and promoting shared growth.

Commenting on the launch, LIVE Chair, Steve Lamacq said:

“Cultural life in the UK and EU is undoubtedly boosted by our shared passion for live music and the opportunities it provides for us to be able to hear other voices and see different perspectives.  Building an audience beyond your own borders is such a pivotal moment in an artist’s career.  The more opportunities they have to play, and the more opportunities we all have to enjoy their shows, the richer life will be.   We will all gain if we can remove the current barriers to touring – for artists and crew, kit and merch.”

LIVE would encourage you all to sign up and ask your EU counterparts to also pledge support.  

LIVE Green: Ross Patel addresses Expedition Two

LIVE Green lead, Ross Patel delivered a rapid fire overview of our work at the Expedition Two event in Liverpool recently.  The event marked the end of Liverpool's year as the UN Accelerator City for Climate Action and provided an opportunity for the team there to update on progress made and exciting plans ahead.  As part of their presentation Ross touched on:

LIVE Green Sustainability Clauses for Artist Booking Contracts:  A simple mechanism to embed green practices into every show at point of contract, the clauses are freely available and have now been adopted into over 800 artist contracts (that we know of). Find the template here.

Green Event Code of Practice (GECoP):  Led by Vision for Sustainable Events and Julie's Bicycle, LIVE Green chaired the revision of the GECoP.  Now being adopted by local authorities, find the results of the  pilot and the updated GECoP here.

Show Must Go On #3 (SMGO):  Ross and LIVE CEO Jon Collins chaired the working group for the 3rd edition of the Show Must Go On Transition Plan which provides a clear, science-based path for decarbonisation for UK outdoor events.  Scheduled to launch in February 2026, find out more here.

Budget delivers business rates blow

A policy that was supposed to equalise the clicks and bricks economies (online giants pay more, high street businesses pay less) has utterly missed the mark.  LIVE has been working with NAA, MVT and BACH to make the case for business rates reform that delivers its goal of reduced bills for smaller venues without inadvertently penalising ‘large’ venues (over £500k rateable value).  The policy focus was warehouses, out of town logistic hubs and fulfilment centres not the live music venues that do so much to drive the very economic activity on the high street the Government is looking to support.  

Unfortunately, the Treasury has chosen to introduce a new business rates scheme that, in combination with revaluation, leaves all venues (large and small) facing ridiculous increases in their bills.  That is simply unsustainable and will, if it stands, lead to venue closures, marginal gigs not going ahead and, at the very least, more expensive tickets.

LIVE is now pressing for an immediate rethink on this policy as, surely, the Government had not intended to foist this level of increase on to our sector while also championing us for our ability to deliver growth and drive activity on the high street.  If you have an opportunity, please raise this with your local MP.