Grassroots venues, promoters and artists in the UK can now apply for the Liveline Fund
Launched by organisations MVT, SOS and AIP, the new initiative will support live shows, touring musicians, regular venue programmes and more
A new fund supporting grassroots venues, promoters, artists and music industry workers across the UK has opened for applicants, the Liveline Fund.
The initiative was launched yesterday, July 21, by Music Venue Trust (MVT), Save Our Scene (SOS) and the Association of Independent Promoters (AIP) to support independent music in the UK.
The Liveline Fund is now open for applications, aiming to "tackle one of the biggest structural challenges facing grassroots music", which it says is the surmounting financial risk to live music.
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The fund includes four different funding streams, including the Guarantorship Scheme, which will underwrite up to 80% of losses on eligible shows to help dampen financial risks for venues and promoters.
It also includes the Tour Extension & Regional Access Fund, which will help artists and promoters extend tours to areas that are "increasingly being bypassed because of travel costs, accommodation expenses and geographical challenges".
The Local Scene Development Fund aims to support venues and promoters in building "sustainable local music ecosystems" through regular venue programmes by covering promoter training and venue hire costs.
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The final funding stream is the Genre Specific Safety and Access Fund, which aims to support "genres, scenes and communities that carry extra costs or face additional barriers" when running events.
"The collapse of touring across the UK requires a robust and coordinated response from venues, bookers, promoters, agents, managers and artists," says Mark Davyd, CEO of Music Venue Trust.
"Liveline means everyone involved in creating, producing, developing and delivering a show can move forward with confidence, get shows happening, and be focused on the need to reignite towns and cities across the country with the thrill of extraordinary live music."
Apply for the Liveline Fund here.
Gemma Ross is Mixmag’s Associate Digital Editor