The House of Commons Culture, Media, and Sport Committee has published a new report regarding securing the long term future of the UK’s grassroots music venues. And guess what? It seemed to take on board exactly what Jeremy Corbyn and the Peace and Justice Project have been campaigning for.
Music for the Many: success over grassroots music
The new report from the committee on the future of grassroots music venues has recommended the introduction of a ticket levy on large arena and stadium concerts to raise the funds necessary to invest back into grassroots music venues in our communities.
This is because of the state of smaller, independent venues. The latest annual report from Music Venue Trust suggests that 16% of the UK’s grassroots music venues were lost in the past year, with 125 spaces permanently closing in 2023.
The implementation of a ticket levy on corporate-backed arenas and stadiums has been a principle demand of Corbyn and the Peace and Justice Project’s Music For The Many campaign since its launch in April last year.
The collective music industry now has until September of this year to agree the path forward and bring in the ticket levy, which must have no additional costs to fans. Failure to do so will see a government-implemented plan introduced to secure this absolutely essential funding for grassroots music venues and emerging artists pipeline.
This is a significant victory for the Peace and Justice Project and vindicates its approach of holding huge corporations influencing our arts and culture to account, ensuring they pay their fair share to secure the long-term future of our community creative spaces.
Corbyn: a ‘step forwards’ in protecting live music
Recently celebrating the first anniversary of its founding, Music For The Many has organised a series of concerts up and down the country over the past 12 months and featured performances from English Teacher, Lambrini Girls, Enola Gay, GENN, HotWax, and ZAND.
Responding to the report calling for a ticket levy and tax relief to support grassroots music venues, Corbyn said:
The new report from the Culture, Media & Sport Committee is a significant and positive step towards securing the sustainable future of our grassroots music venues.
Our Music For The Many campaign has continually called for the implementation of a ticket levy at large arena and stadium shows – paid for by corporate sponsors – to support the ecosystem of Britain’s music industry and ensure artists and venues can thrive in our communities.
Samuel Sweek, organiser of the Peace & Justice Project’s Music For The Many campaign, said:
For the past year, the Music For The Many campaign has been working with grassroots music venues and artists to raise the plight faced by so many in the industry.
The DCMS committee report is a huge step towards bringing about long overdue economic justice and security for grassroots music venues and Britain’s entire emerging artist pipeline.
We will continue to work with grassroots music venues, artists and the wider community of organisations campaigning on this issue to ensure the recommendations of this report are implemented.
Featured image via Wikimedia
