John Rostron: Last News

official website, the line-up for next year is “coming soon”. Tickets are on sale now – you can buy yours here.This week, organisers of the festival – full name Nozstock The Hidden Valley – confirmed in a statement that “sadly Nozstock 2024 will be the last one”.

A post shared by AIF (@aif_uk)AIF CEO John Rostron said in a press release: “It’s with grave concern that we again sound the alarm to Government upon passing this critical milestone. UK festivals are disappearing at a worrying rate, and we as a nation are witnessing the erosion of one of our most successful and unique cultural industry sectors.”He continued: “We have done the research: a reduction of VAT to 5% on festival tickets over the next three years is a conservative, targeted and temporary measure that would save almost all of the festival businesses that are likely to fall by the wayside this year and many more over the years to come.

key demand – a cut in the VAT charged on tickets.In response, several representatives from various live music organisations have responded negatively to the proposed budget.Jon Collins, the CEO of Live (Live music Industry Venues & Entertainment), issued a statement expressing frustration on the lack of action in cutting VAT rates.He said: “Today’s Budget represents yet another missed opportunity to accelerate the growth of the live music sector and the wider economy while also providing urgently needed support for grassroots music through the reintroduction of a lower VAT rate. 20% VAT on tickets in the UK is vastly out of step with our competitors in Europe and North America and has become a material factor limiting the number of gigs, tours and festivals our world class industry can put on.”He continued: “Fewer shows mean reduced economic activity in towns and cities across the country – an estimated £1m is spent in local businesses for every 10,000 people who attend a gig – and heaps further pressure onto grassroots music venues that are closing down at an alarming rate.

DEALSAvex USA – the US brand of Japanese major label Avex – has partnered with TikTok-based music curator Ari Elkins to form new joint venture label Blue Suede Records. “I’m so excited to take my love for finding new artists and sharing them with the world to the next level with Avex and the launch of Blue Suede”, says Elkins.