The Music Venue Trust has published a manifesto for grassroots music in the UK, as it calls on all politicians to “seize the moment” ahead of the forthcoming general election. In a bid to help save the sector from its ongoing crisis, the MVT – the charity that represents hundreds of grassroots music venues (GMVs) around Britain – laid out the steps required to stem the rate of venue closures and bring about stability. The five key areas highlighted in the report include the need for a £1 levy, or investment contribution, from every arena and stadium ticket sold to be contributed back to grassroots venues, artists and promoters.
There is also a call for a fan-led review to address the biggest hurdles for the UK’s live music ecosystem, along with a reduction on the VAT applied to gig tickets. Mark Davyd, CEO of Music Venue Trust said: “In 2023, of the 366 small music venues Ed Sheeran played while learning his trade, at least 150 are now closed. Another 72 grassroots music venues significantly reduced or ended their live music offer.
“Thirty-eight per cent of GMVs in the UK made a loss in the last 12 months. The sector operated on a 0.5% profit margin overall while running live music events at a £115 million loss.
All of this can be changed if the next government delivers the five simple steps we have set out in this report. “We therefore call on all political representatives, from all parties, to seize the moment and drive forward this change. We have a chanc.
