Artists and managers write open letter highlighting cost of touring crisis

The Featured Artists Coalition (FAC) and Musicians Union (MU) have published an open letter to the Government and live music industry describing a cost of touring crisis.

FAC and MU are calling on Government and the music industry to support the UK grassroots sector, claiming that artists have been shut out of other funding routes designed to support the music industry, despite being the sector’s largest employers.

The letter, and an accompanying petition, state that domestic touring has become extremely challenging, as the cost of living crisis bites both in respect of audience affordability and “devastating increases” in costs.

The Government is expected to respond imminently to the Culture Committee report on grassroots live music published in May 2024, which promised a “widespread voluntary levy [on arena/stadium shows] to be in place no later than September 2024.. that must be accessible to venues, artists and promoters.”

Last month, Coldplay announced that the band will donate 10% of its proceeds from eight UK stadium shows next year to the Music Venue Trust (MVT), with the aim of supporting grassroots venues.

The MU and FAC said that artists are facing a crisis, the impact of which should be of grave concern to the live sector and the wider music industry. They want the Government to recognise the need for a blanket levy that artists, musicians, promoters and venues can all access.