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Select Committee · Culture, Media and Sport Committee

Grassroots music venues

Status: Closed Opened: 30 Jan 2024 Closed: 22 May 2024 12 recommendations 4 conclusions 1 report

Last year, the UK experienced a net loss of 125 grassroots music venues (GMVs) across the UK, equivalent to over a tenth of the sector. GMVs are an important part of the live music ecosystem, providing a platform for up-and-coming bands and music professionals, as well as space for rehearsals, education, social programmes and other …

Clear

Reports

1 report
Title HC No. Published Items Response
Seventh Report - Grassroots music venues HC 527 11 May 2024 16 Responded

Recommendations & Conclusions

3 items
6 Recommendation Seventh Report - Grassroots music venues Deferred

Introduce a statutory levy if the voluntary scheme fails to support grassroots music venues.

If a voluntary levy is unable to be agreed by September 2024, or if the assessment of the voluntary levy concludes it is not collecting the income required to support the GMV sector, the Government should introduce a statutory levy at the earliest subsequent opportunity.

Government response. The government agrees with the principle of a levy but supports a voluntary one, urging the industry to act. It states it will monitor the progress and effectiveness of a voluntary levy, reserving the right to consider a statutory levy …
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
15 Conclusion Seventh Report - Grassroots music venues Deferred

Merchandise revenues are crucial for artists' livelihoods, with GMVs committed to artist retention.

As the costs of touring have mounted and opportunities to perform live are becoming squeezed, merchandise revenues are increasingly important to sustain the livelihood of professional artists and their business partners. We welcome that grassroots music venues are committed to ensuring artists can retain all of their merchandise revenues, despite …

Government response. The government notes the item is directed at the industry and encourages venues and trade bodies to ensure fairness for artists regarding merchandise commissions.
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
16 Recommendation Seventh Report - Grassroots music venues Deferred

Urge all live music venues and trade bodies to follow FAC merchandise principles.

We support the Featured Artists’ Coalition’s campaign for an end to punitive fees and its four principles on merchandise commissions, particularly given the current economic environment in which artists are trying to make a living. We call on all venues and trade bodies in the live music sector to follow …

Government response. The government notes the recommendation is for the industry and encourages venues and trade bodies to ensure fairness for artists regarding merchandise commissions, without committing to any government action.
Department for Culture, Media and Sport

Oral evidence sessions

1 session
Date Witnesses
26 Mar 2024 Anna Moulson · Association of Independent Promoters, David Martin · Featured Artists Coalition, Gavin Larkins · PRS for Music, John Drury · National Arenas Association, Jon Collins · LIVE, Kwame Kwaten · Music Managers Forum, Lily Fontaine, Mark Davyd · Music Venue Trust, Stuart Galbraith · Concert Promoters Association View ↗