Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham backs calls for £1 ticket levy on large-scale music events

Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham has backed calls for a £1 ticket levy on arenas and large-scale music events to support grassroots music venues.

First proposed by Music Venues Trust (MVT) and Save Our Scene (SOS), the levy has been backed by MPs as a way to protect small venues across the UK.

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Andy Burnham has now spoken out in support of the proposed plans, saying: “Music Venue Trust has been instrumental in supporting UK grassroots venues. I’ve seen many of my favourite bands in some of these spaces, and they play a key role in the night-time economy and music scene of Greater Manchester and the wider UK.”

He also registered his support for a proposed VAT cut for music venues, saying: “I fully support the recommendations published by the Culture, Media & Sport Select Committee including the introduction of a levy and a targeted VAT cut to halt the rising tide of closures. However, it’s clear that urgent action is needed to support venues and the talented artists playing them.”

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Supporters of the proposals claim money raised would be used to create a “grassroots fund” (similar to France’s model) which would be made available for venues, artists and promoters to apply for should they meet financial difficulty

The plan was originally suggested by a coalition of representatives from organisations such as Live Music Exchange (LIVE), Music Venue Trust and National Arenas Association, and has been supported by Save Our Scene (SOS).

It also received support from a number of MPs, including chair of the cross-party select committee Dame Caroline Dinenage, who has said: “If the grassroots, where musicians, technicians, tour managers and promoters hone their craft, are allowed to wither and die, the UK’s position as a music powerhouse faces a bleak future.”

2024 has already seen an average of five nightclubs closing per week, following on from a 2023 which saw 125 music venues stop showing live music, and over half of these closing down entirely. Despite this, 2023 was a record breaking year in ticket sales for larger artists and corporations, with huge stadium tours from the likes of Lana Del Rey and Blur raising millions.

The proposed ticket levy would see a small percentage of these profits redistributed, to maintain the artist pipeline from grassroots venues to the bigger stage - an idea supported by The Libertines, who said: “The UK grassroots music circuit is more than just small local venues. It is absolutely crucial to emerging talent.”

Jamaal Johnson is Mixmag's Digital Intern, follow him on Instagram