Ministers support voluntary levy on arena gig tickets to support grassroots venues

The Government has proposed a voluntary levy on tickets for major stadium and arena concerts by 2025 to support struggling grassroots music venues, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) announced.

Ministers are urging the music industry to adopt the proposals "as soon as possible" for events next year. The DCMS described an "industry-led" ticket levy as the most efficient way to channel funds from large concerts to the grassroots scene. "Ministers have made clear that they want to see a voluntary levy come into effect as soon as possible for concerts in 2025, with clear communication to fans on the purpose of the levy and the benefits it will bring to the grassroots sector," the department stated.

After hardships due to the pandemic and rising inflation, smaller venues are in need of support. Some artists, like Enter Shikari, have already contributed, donating £1 from each ticket of their 2024 arena tour to the Music Venue Trust.

Coldplay is also committing 10% of profits from their UK stadium tour to aid these venues. This levy recommendation was put forward by Parliament’s Culture, Media and Sport Committee earlier this year, aiming for a September implementation.

The cross-party committee, guided by Tory Dame Caroline Dinenage, has made it clear they expect "industry bodies would work carefully to ensure that the impact of the levy is not passed on to the consumer". It's understood that the Government beleives the music sector should decide on how to apply this fee.

The group of MPs gave a thumbs-up to governmental support for their plan, yet insisted on a "firm deadline" for the industry to act before the powers-that-be have to step in themselves. They've threatened to host a grilling session with the sector in six months if there's no significant advancement.

Dame Caroline said: "The sheer number of venues in our local communities being forced to shut up shop each week has hammered home the stark reality of the struggles facing artists, promoters and others working in grassroots music. There are warnings of an even gloomier future.

"While the Government has dialled up the volume on the message that swift action on a levy is needed from the bigger players who pack out arenas and stadiums, the lack of a firm deadline for movement risks allowing matters to drift.

"Without healthy roots, the entire live music ecosystem suffers, so it is vital that the wider industry recognises the urgency of coming up with a scheme to direct a proportion of profits back to where many careers began."

Creative industries minister Sir Chris Bryant said: "Grassroots music venues are one of the UK’s most valuable and yet undervalued cultural assets. They are where bands try out new material, where whole new genres are born, where musicians experiment and where audiences get to experience the raw power of live music."

"These venues support thousands of jobs and are a vital part of our local communities. Without a flourishing grassroots music industry the rest of our music industry will wither."

He added: "That is why I am urging the industry voluntarily to introduce a ticket levy on the biggest commercial players, to help ensure the health and future success of our entire live music industry for decades to come."