2025 could be a game-changer for funding UK grassroots music – but when will we see action and where will the money go?

nme.com:

NME asked figures from across the industry.Last year saw the government back a long overdue call for a levy on tickets to gigs at arena level and above – adopting a ‘Premier League model’ with the top tiers of the live industry paying back into the ecosystem to keep the talent pipeline flowing, as they do in football.It is hoped that the major companies of the live industry will take it upon themselves to act on a voluntary levy, with a deadline for meaningful decisions set for March before the government steps back in to consider making it mandatory by law.At a time when the new Labour government have also promised a price cap on touted tickets and an investigation into dynamic pricing after last year’s Oasis reunion tour controversy, MPs have promised a proactive approach to securing a more stable future for UK music and fans.“You don’t get big venue success tours without small venue innovation and creativity,” Creative Industries Minister Sir Chris Bryant MP told NME. “We’re the first government that have made it very clear that we support the calls for a voluntary levy.

If there isn’t a voluntary levy in short order, then we will take action. That would mean a statutory levy which would take time, so I’d much prefer a voluntary levy.

I’m quite hopeful that we’ll have something in place soon, and I’m working quite hard on it.“There’s nothing more special than going to a big arena show of an act that you first saw in a tiny, tiny venue.

If you don’t have any tiny venues then you’re never going to have the British success stories that the industry depends on.”Beyond the levy, Sir Chris said that the government were going to “make sure that every single child gets the opportunity to play a musical instrument in school”.