Fund for grassroots music sector surpasses £500,000 milestone

Over £500,000 has been pledged from UK tour ticket sales towards a fund that will support the grassroots music sector.

The LIVE Trust, established by Live Music Industry Venues and Entertainment (LIVE) earlier this year, is a funding initiative that will offer financial support to those working in the grassroots sector.

Following a campaign to encourage arena and stadium shows with a capacity over 5,000 to donate £1 of every ticket sold, artists including Pulp, Diana Ross and Hans Zimmer have pledged to donate proceeds from their forthcoming UK tours.

LIVE CEO Jon Collins told Music Week the milestone marks a very significant contribution to the grassroots live music sector.

“What this demonstrates is that there is a real appetite from performers and their teams to support the wider live ecosystem and we applaud and thank those that have already taken this initiative,” Collins added.

“Whilst this is an excellent start there is still much work to do if we are to convince government that a voluntary rather than statutory levy is both workable and sustainable.”

Earlier this year, Arts Minister Chris Bryant said the proposed ticket levy will be introduced by the government if the music industry does not establish a voluntary scheme.

Research published by Music Venues Trust towards the start of the year revealed more than 40% of the UK’s grassroots music venues operated at a loss last year.