LIVE Trust Launches to Strengthen UK’s Live Music Ecosystem

The LIVE Trust will focus its initial efforts on supporting the grassroots music sector, which has faced significant challenges in recent years. In 2023 alone, 125 grassroots venues closed their doors permanently, and in 2024, 78 festivals were lost, contributing to a 50% decline in tour dates over the past three decades.

Representing 15 key industry organisations, including the Association of Independent Festivals (AIF), LIVE emphasised the importance of this sector to the broader live music ecosystem. The grassroots sector not only enriches the UK’s vibrant music scene but also contributes £6.1 billion to the national economy, employing 230,000 individuals across various roles, from artists and venue operators to promoters and festival organisers.

Jon Collins, CEO of LIVE, highlighted that the escalating costs of event production, compounded by the ongoing cost of living crisis, have put immense pressure on the grassroots music community. The LIVE Trust aims to address these challenges by supporting those who keep venues operational, festivals running, and artists touring.

To fund this initiative, the LIVE Trust will begin by implementing a voluntary contribution of £1 per ticket from arena and stadium events with a capacity of over 5,000 attendees. This initiative has been bolstered by increasing calls from politicians and policymakers, with a recommendation from the Culture, Media and Sport (CMS) Committee urging the live music industry to establish a voluntary levy on tickets for large-scale events. The LIVE Trust will ensure that funds are effectively managed and allocated, with periodic reviews guided by trustees and input from the wider UK live music sector.

 

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The Trust’s board of founding trustees includes LIVE chair Steve Lamacq MBE, Kirsty McShannon, CEO of Azorra and a seasoned commercial and business affairs advisor to the live music industry, and James Ainscough, CEO of The Royal Albert Hall. Additional trustees will be appointed in the coming months to ensure diverse representation across all facets of live music.

Collins further noted:

“The LIVE Trust is a significant step forward in securing the future of grassroots music venues and the wider live music community. By establishing a framework that prioritises the fair distribution of financial resources, we are responding to the urgent need for sustainable support. We sincerely thank all our members and industry stakeholders who have contributed to making this initiative a reality.”

Learn more about the LIVE Trust by visiting: livemusic.biz

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