Jon Collins: Last News

published their findings yesterday (September 4), demonstrating a steady increase since Covid hit in 2020. They reported that the £6.1billion figure is 17 per cent up on 2022, and 35 per cent up on 2019.The federation calculated the figure from more than 55,000 gigs, concerts, festivals and events in 2023 through ticket sales and any spending at the event itself, or at business nearby around the date the event was held.Concert revenues have primarly contributed to this growth thanks to the blockbuster tours of acts like Beyoncé and Coldplay, which apparently made up almost three quarters of the £6.1billion impact.Additionally, London was responsible for nearly a third of the total live music revenue, with Manchester landing in second place with 7.4 per cent and Glasgow in third place (5.5 per cent).Meanwhile, Edinburgh, Birmingham, Cardiff and Belfast were all named in the top 10 cities contributing to the live industry’s economic impact.In a comment to The Guardian, CEO of LIVE Jon Collins said Taylor Swift’s Eras tour and the Oasis reunion tour “serves as a reminder of the economic benefits live events can deliver to local economies across the UK”.He went on to cite figures from the National Arenas Association demonstrating how for 10,000 people who attend a live music show, £1m is spent on local business around the event, adding: “These local benefits spread widely to provide a significant boost to the UK economy.”With the cost of living crisis impacting live venues and artists’ abilities to tour, a case was made for a £1 ticket levy last April following a Music Venue Trust report showing a “disaster” facing grassroots music venues.

K.J. Yossman The U.K.

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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.

the Energy Bill Relief Scheme “will reduce wholesale gas and electricity prices”. “This will provide a price guarantee equivalent to the one provided for households,” Kwarteng said.As announced earlier this week, the scheme will offer discounts for all firms for a six-month period from October 1.

APPOINTMENTSSony Music‘s global podcast division has appointed Serita Wesley to the newly created role of Head Of US Entertainment Podcasts. She has previously worked on and for various podcasts and podcasting companies, including co-founding travel and lifestyle podcast On She Goes.Silvia Montello has been appointed as CEO of the Association For Electronic Music, basically taking over from Greg Marshall, who has been General Manager of the organisation since 2018.