- Live music
Fan-Led Live Music Review Aims to Protect Grassroots Venues
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By Dale Grogan
- 04 Jun 2025
- 4 min read
The UK Parliament’s Culture, Media and Sport Committee has launched a fan-led review to explore how the live music industry, particularly at a grassroots level, can be better supported. The announcement was made by Committee Chair Dame Caroline Dinenage MP during the launch of SXSW London.
The review follows mounting concerns over the sustainability of grassroots venues, which continue to close at a rate of two per week. It aims to better understand the issues facing fans, artists, and event professionals and ensure the long-term health of the UK’s live music ecosystem.
Industry-Wide Engagement at the Heart of the Review
Chaired by Lord Brennan of Canton, the review will cover all corners of the live music sector, including live and electronic events. It actively invites input from fans, promoters, DJs, touring artists, and industry stakeholders.
Key areas under consideration include:
- The fan experience across venues and festivals
- Venue viability and sustainability
- Safety and accessibility
- Support for emerging artists and the barriers they face when touring
- The role of local and national government in sustaining live music
The committee will also assess whether current government policies are working, and what more can be done.
Legal Reform on the Table to Protect Venues
Alongside the review, Dame Caroline is pushing for an amendment to the Planning and Infrastructure Bill that would better protect grassroots venues from noise complaints related to new residential developments.
The proposal would give statutory weight to the Agent of Change principle, making it harder for longstanding venues to be penalised or shut down due to neighbouring buildings. This move would provide stronger legal protection for live music spaces operating in increasingly complex urban environments.
What This Means for Event Organisers
For promoters and organisers, this review offers a chance to contribute to a national conversation about the future of live music in the UK. It’s a valuable opportunity to highlight the challenges you face – from venue closures and licensing pressures to artist touring costs and local authority regulations.
The outcomes could influence how funding is allocated, how planning law evolves, and how new initiatives are developed to support independent events.
As the review progresses, Skiddle will continue to share updates and opportunities for you to have your say.
Keep an eye on the Skiddle Promotion Centre Blog, our Skiddle Promoters Instagram page, and LinkedIn for all the latest event news and updates.
Image credit: Frederick Shaw / Unsplash.com
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