Music venues urged to add levy to ticket prices to support grassroots venues 

The live music industry has been urged to add a levy to ticket prices to help support grassroots music venues.

Creative industries minister Chris Bryant called for the voluntary tax to be applied to all stadium and arena tickets to benefit small venues, festivals, artists and promoters.

Bryant said: “Grassroots music venues are one of the UK’s most valuable and yet undervalued cultural assets. They are where bands try out new material, where whole new genres are born, where musicians experiment and where audiences get to experience the raw power of live music.

“These venues support thousands of jobs and are a vital part of our local communities. Without a flourishing grassroots music industry the rest of our music industry will wither.

“It is crucial that we work together to support the grassroots including venues, festivals, artists and promoters. That is why I am urging the industry voluntarily to introduce a ticket levy on the biggest commercial players, to help ensure the health and future success of our entire live music industry for decades to come.”

The recommendation has been made in response to the Culture, Media and Sport (CMS) select committee’s report on grassroots music venues.

The report found the grassroots sector employs more than 28,000 people including stage managers, security, sound and lighting engineers, and supports local economies across the country.

However, in recent years venues have faced considerable challenges leading to a high number of closures and job losses. 

Michael Kill, chief executive of the Night Time Industries Association, said: “The CMS committee’s report is a vital step in recognising and addressing the immense pressures on grassroots music venues across the UK.

“We welcome their support for a levy on arena and stadium tickets, alongside a VAT reduction, as immediate actions to stabilize this critical part of the music ecosystem. Grassroots venues are not just cultural spaces; they are where new talent is nurtured, where creative communities thrive, and where diverse musical genres find a platform. Without targeted intervention, we risk losing the foundation of the UK’s globally renowned music industry."