​New ‘Ticket Bank’ scheme to offer free gig tickets to those less well off in London

A brand new culture scheme titled the Ticket Bank is set to launch in London next year, which will see thousands of unsold tickets to live shows given away for free, The Guardian reports.

Based just in London, the Ticket Bank offers those who are struggling financially through the current cost of living crisis as part of the Cultural Philanthropy Foundation programme.

The Ticket Bank will launch in January, and will include tickets for theatre shows, gigs, and cultural events. “We are keen to work with anyone that supports individuals facing barriers to attending events and who are less likely to have engaged in arts and cultural activities,” reads the Ticket Bank’s website.

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“We aim to offer a service that supports more ticket donations to more community projects and increases participation in arts events.”

Each week, around 1,000 tickets will be given away for free to shows based in London, including those at The Roundhouse, the Barbican, The National Theatre, and The Almeida Theatre.

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Speaking on the scheme, co-founder of Ticket Bank, Chris Sonnex, said: “There are brilliant people putting together food banks and heat banks, but that doesn’t give humanity its basic needs from a soul point of view.

“People who are suffering as a result of the cost of living also need access to community, entertainment and things that warm the soul,” he added. “Access to art and culture are essential to the human condition, a human right.

“The tighter things get with people’s finances, the more they will be squeezed out of art. If people can’t afford these riches, society is poorer off.”

Find out more about Ticket Bank here.

Gemma Ross is Mixmag's Editorial Assitant, follow her on Twitter