Young London artists and venues call the announcement “the stuff of dreams” as Creative Industries Minister Chris Bryant calls on the music industry to “safeguard the future of the grassroots music sector”.
The government believes the levy “would be the quickest and most effective way” to support the sector.
As the UK’s £6.7 billion sector celebrates record growth, grassroots music venues are facing financial challenges to remain open.
According to charity Music Venue Trust, 350 venues are currently at risk of immediate closure.
Citynews has spoken to young artists and grassroots venues in London to hear how the announcement will impact the sector.
“It’s the biggest A&R department in the country”
Marcus Harris is the promoter at The Lexington, an Islington pub and live music venue. He believes that the government support is “undoubtedly a moment of real and significant change for the better”.
He thinks small venues “help develop local talent” and provide “enormous economic value” to the music industry.
It’s the place where artists get their first opportunity to learn their craft, find their sound, build an audience and be discovered.
Marcus Harris
Many successful artists began their careers on stages in grassroots venues, including Coldplay and Ed Sheeran.
Chart topping artists The Last Dinner Party and 2024 Mercury Prize winner English Teacher have performed at Brixton venue, The Windmill.
Tim Perry, the booker, is hopeful the announcement will make a difference to grassroots but says the industry so far “has refused to invest or support”.
Live music should not be for a “privileged few”
Young artists like Gulz Dhanoya, who performs as GULZ, are concerned that without grassroots music venues, live music would only “be accessible for the privileged few who have financial and industry backing”.
It would be like removing all football pitches and local clubs and the only way in which you can play is if you’re signed to a premier league team.
Gulz Dhanoya (GULZ)
Singer-songwriter Flo Wilkes believes without grassroots venues young artists would “shut down opportunities”. She credits years of playing small venues with developing her as an artist and believes the loss of grassroots music venues to perform in would “ruin most of her career”.
Flo Wilkes performing at The Bulls Head in London
Kitty Fitz, a singer from London, says being able to play live helps grow her audience and create more opportunities for her to perform.
Without being able to carve my way playing at The Windmill, The George Tavern, The Victoria, Paper Dress Vintage, The Ivy House etc. none of this would materialise.
Kitty Fitz
Kitty says she needs place to “make mistakes” and without grassroots music venues her music “wouldn’t leave the realm of the internet”.
The Windmill’s Tim Perry highlights that venues are not just for live music but also “affordable rehearsal spaces that musicians desperately need”.
Kitty Fitz performing at The Social in London
“You’ve got so many options”
The chief executive of LIVE, a federation of music industry associations, Jon Collins highlights the unique crisis for London’s grassroots venues compared to the rest of the UK.
Collins says that “you’ve got so many options as a customer” so grassroots venues have to compete for audiences alongside larger venues and festivals in the cities’ parks.
Tim Perry says that even though The Windmill’s footfall has increased “the bar takings are down by a similar amount” because of “cost of living increases”.
What’s next for London’s grassroot venues?
Jon Collins says the government backing is “the next step in the conversation”. The announcement, according to Collins, leaves room for a statutory levy if necessary.
Some artists are already donating a portion of their ticket sales to the Music Venue Trust. Coldplay are giving 10% of their tour proceeds from their 2025 UK tour dates and this week Katy Perry has committed to donating £1 of every ticket sale for her UK tour.
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Standfirst
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HeadlineLosing London Grassroots Music Venues would ‘shut down opportunity’
Short HeadlineLosing London Grassroots would 'shut down opportunity'
StandfirstThe government is backing a voluntary levy on arena and stadium tickets to support struggling grassroots venues.
Young London artists and venues call the announcement “the stuff of dreams” as Creative Industries Minister Chris Bryant calls on the music industry to “safeguard the future of the grassroots music sector”.
The government believes the levy “would be the quickest and most effective way” to support the sector.
As the UK’s £6.7 billion sector celebrates record growth, grassroots music venues are facing financial challenges to remain open.
According to charity Music Venue Trust, 350 venues are currently at risk of immediate closure.
Citynews has spoken to young artists and grassroots venues in London to hear how the announcement will impact the sector.
“It’s the biggest A&R department in the country”
Marcus Harris is the promoter at The Lexington, an Islington pub and live music venue. He believes that the government support is “undoubtedly a moment of real and significant change for the better”.
He thinks small venues “help develop local talent” and provide “enormous economic value” to the music industry.
It’s the place where artists get their first opportunity to learn their craft, find their sound, build an audience and be discovered.
Marcus Harris
Many successful artists began their careers on stages in grassroots venues, including Coldplay and Ed Sheeran.
Chart topping artists The Last Dinner Party and 2024 Mercury Prize winner English Teacher have performed at Brixton venue, The Windmill.
Tim Perry, the booker, is hopeful the announcement will make a difference to grassroots but says the industry so far “has refused to invest or support”.
Live music should not be for a “privileged few”
Young artists like Gulz Dhanoya, who performs as GULZ, are concerned that without grassroots music venues, live music would only “be accessible for the privileged few who have financial and industry backing”.
It would be like removing all football pitches and local clubs and the only way in which you can play is if you’re signed to a premier league team.
Gulz Dhanoya (GULZ)
Singer-songwriter Flo Wilkes believes without grassroots venues young artists would “shut down opportunities”. She credits years of playing small venues with developing her as an artist and believes the loss of grassroots music venues to perform in would “ruin most of her career”.
Flo Wilkes performing at The Bulls Head in London
Kitty Fitz, a singer from London, says being able to play live helps grow her audience and create more opportunities for her to perform.
Without being able to carve my way playing at The Windmill, The George Tavern, The Victoria, Paper Dress Vintage, The Ivy House etc. none of this would materialise.
Kitty Fitz
Kitty says she needs place to “make mistakes” and without grassroots music venues her music “wouldn’t leave the realm of the internet”.
The Windmill’s Tim Perry highlights that venues are not just for live music but also “affordable rehearsal spaces that musicians desperately need”.
Kitty Fitz performing at The Social in London
“You’ve got so many options”
The chief executive of LIVE, a federation of music industry associations, Jon Collins highlights the unique crisis for London’s grassroots venues compared to the rest of the UK.
Collins says that “you’ve got so many options as a customer” so grassroots venues have to compete for audiences alongside larger venues and festivals in the cities’ parks.
Tim Perry says that even though The Windmill’s footfall has increased “the bar takings are down by a similar amount” because of “cost of living increases”.
What’s next for London’s grassroot venues?
Jon Collins says the government backing is “the next step in the conversation”. The announcement, according to Collins, leaves room for a statutory levy if necessary.
Some artists are already donating a portion of their ticket sales to the Music Venue Trust. Coldplay are giving 10% of their tour proceeds from their 2025 UK tour dates and this week Katy Perry has committed to donating £1 of every ticket sale for her UK tour.
