ASM Global arenas team up with Music Venue Trust to pledge support to grassroots

nme.com:

recommended by MPs after a DCMS investigation back in Spring, and pressures rose for larger venues to commence support before being forced to do so by the government.Already, the likes of Coldplay, Enter Shikari and Sam Fender have all adopted a levy for their respective tours to help save the grassroots, after 2023 proved to be “disastrous” and the worst year on record with 125 grassroots music venues shutting their doors – a rate of two per week.

The Music Venue Trust argued that a tidal wave of closures threatens the fabric of the UK music scene thanks to the recent budget announcement, with the circuit and artists already suffering from “the complete collapse of touring”.ASM Global first announced its commitment to the MVT back in 2023, and has so far taken numerous steps to help provide support to grassroots venues.

These include providing free access to wellbeing advice and marketing training, promoting grassroots venues and artists at ASM Arenas, and donating venue and stage furniture.

They also launched the first arena donation campaign for MVT – partnering with Enter Shikari at OVO Arena Wembley to fundraise and match customer donations.Now, organisers have taken things up a notch, confirming that leading venues including OVO Arena Wembley, AO Arena, First Direct arena, P&J Live, Utilita Arena Newcastle and more will offer fans the opportunity to help provide support for smaller venues.The tens of thousands of fans who visit these arenas will have the opportunity to donate to the cause, both inside the venues when attending an event, and when buying tickets via venue websites.“Our industry starts with the grassroots.