FAC & MMF reactions to Government response to Committee report on grassroots live music

David Martin, CEO, Featured Artists Coalition
The message coming from the Government and from the Culture Committee is loud and clear: the live music industry needs to deliver a blanket ticket levy at large-scale arena and stadium shows. We need to do it quickly or it will be mandated upon us, and the fund must support the entirety of the grassroots live music sector, from artists and promoters to venues. The FAC welcomes today's response, and we are ready to double down our efforts to get this over the line. If UK artists can't afford to tour, the industry will not fulfil its potential. 

Annabella Coldrick, Chief Executive, Music Managers Forum
Everyone knows grassroots live music is in crisis. The current situation is untenable. Every week I hear from music managers trying to do the impossible and bridge catastrophic shortfalls in their artists touring budgets. A ticket levy on all large-scale live music events to support touring artists at this level to get out on the road remains the most practical solution. It is now imperative that we in the industry stand up and deliver it.