The LIVE Trust has announced the first distribution of funding from its voluntary £1 ticket levy on arena and stadium shows, marking an important moment for the UK’s grassroots music sector.
A total of £500,000 has been awarded in Phase One of the Trust’s grant strategy, supporting programmes designed to address venue closures, rising touring costs, shrinking touring circuits and growing pressures on artists, promoters, festivals and live music workers.
Established by LIVE, the representative body for UK live music, the LIVE Trust was created in response to escalating costs across event production, touring and venue operations, compounded by the ongoing cost-of-living crisis. Funding is generated through a voluntary £1 contribution on tickets for shows over 5,000 capacity, with money directed to sector-led organisations able to deliver immediate, practical support.
This first wave of funding represents a coordinated intervention across the grassroots ecosystem, recognising that artists, venues, promoters, festivals and workforce development are deeply interconnected.
A Landmark Moment for Grassroots Music
The £500,000 distribution comes amid continued strain on the grassroots sector. Music Venue Trust’s latest annual report shows that more than half of UK grassroots music venues made no profit in 2025, with many now described as “one financial shock away from crisis”. Over the past year alone, 30 venues permanently closed, and 175 UK towns and cities no longer receive regular touring shows by professional artists.
Rising production costs, reduced audience spending power and increasing financial risk have also made touring more difficult for artists, particularly at emerging and mid-tier levels, while promoters and festivals face growing barriers to taking creative risks.
LIVE Trust Chair Kirsty McShannon described the funding as “a landmark moment”, highlighting its potential to deliver real, lasting change for artists, venues, promoters, festivals and the next generation of crew across the UK.
Jon Collins, CEO of LIVE and LIVE Trust, noted that the Trust’s early work has focused on building sector-wide support and developing a grant-making strategy capable of responding quickly to urgent need, with further funding rounds planned later in 2026.
Where the £500,000 Is Going
The first wave of LIVE Trust funding supports seven programmes working across venues, touring, promotion, festivals, workforce development and emerging talent:
Music Venue Support – delivered by Music Venue Trust (£200,000)
Music Venue Trust works to protect, secure and improve grassroots music venues across the UK. With many venues operating on extremely tight margins, this funding supports immediate interventions designed to stabilise spaces that are vital to artist development and local cultural life.
Support includes emergency hardship funding for venues in crisis, operational guidance through the Venue MOT programme, upgrades to sound, lighting and backline via Raise the Standard, action to reduce energy costs through Off The Grid, investment in artist accommodation through Stay the Night, and touring access initiatives such as Liveline.
UK Artists Touring Fund – delivered by Featured Artists Coalition, Music Managers Forum & Musicians’ Union (£125,000)
The UK Artists Touring Fund provides direct tour support to artists facing rising costs that increasingly make live performance financially unviable.
The programme helps artists reach new audiences, perform in more locations and build sustainable careers, while also supporting the wider grassroots ecosystem by stimulating activity for venues, promoters, festivals and the freelance workforce that touring relies on.
Independent Promoters Grassroots Bursary Scheme – delivered by the Association of Independent Promoters (£75,000)
This scheme provides targeted micro-grants and professional support to new and early-career promoters, helping them deliver events that might otherwise be considered too financially risky.
Operating across all UK regions, the programme aims to strengthen the live music pipeline while increasing diversity, accessibility and innovation in grassroots promoting.
Micro & Very Small Festivals Development Programme – delivered by the Association of Independent Festivals (£50,000)
Supporting grassroots festival organisers through training, mentoring and peer learning, this programme offers practical guidance on marketing, ticketing and sustainability.
It is designed to help micro and very small festivals overcome shared challenges, build resilience and develop long-term success.
Volume Control Enhanced – delivered by Oh Yeah Centre, Belfast (£25,000)
Volume Control supports young people to develop as artists, audiences and industry professionals, providing hands-on experience in event delivery, venue operations, promotion and artist support.
The programme focuses on building pathways into music and live events in Northern Ireland, helping develop future audiences and strengthen local live music ecosystems.
Developing Scotland’s Emerging Live Sector – delivered by Wide Events (£15,000)
This programme supports aspiring artists, promoters and event professionals, focusing on building skills, confidence and networks at early career stages. Activity includes the Off The Record Showcase, providing artists with professional performance opportunities and exposure to new audiences, alongside mentoring from established practitioners offering practical guidance and industry insight. The programme also includes six bursaries through Wide Days for early-career agents and bookers from town and rural venues, supporting networking and knowledge-sharing with Scottish and international live music professionals.
Music Futures – delivered by Production Futures (£10,000)
Music Futures focuses on opening pathways into production and technical roles for young people, particularly those not currently in education, employment or training.
The programme includes a nationwide ‘Make Noise’ competition providing tech kits for schools and youth groups, alongside practical learning and career exploration opportunities designed to strengthen the future live music workforce.
What’s Next
This initial distribution represents Phase One of the LIVE Trust’s funding strategy, prioritising organisations already delivering vital support across the grassroots sector. Phase Two is expected to open in spring 2026, with further funding rounds planned throughout the year.
The inclusion of Scotland based activity in this first funding round highlights the role of grassroots infrastructure in supporting artists, venues and early-career professionals, with further LIVE Trust funding rounds expected later in 2026.