Touring

Featured Artists Coalition launches touring fund

Featured Image: Kyle Wong on Unsplash

The Featured Artists Coalition (FAC) has announced the launch of a UK Artist Touring (UKAT) Fund, which has been developed in collaboration with the Musicians’ Union and Music Managers Forum. 

The fund will act as a vehicle to distribute artist-allocated revenues collected by the LIVE Trust, which was launched earlier this month. The LIVE Trust is an industry-backed charity set up to receive and administer proceeds from a voluntary £1 ticket donation on stadium and arena shows over a capacity of 5,000.

In May last year, Members of Parliament (MPs) in the UK backed calls for a new levy on arena and stadium tickets to support grassroots live music. This was then followed by the news in November that the government had instructed the live music industry to initiate the voluntary levy.

The UKAT Fund will connect directly to the LIVE Trust. Artists, DJs and other music performances will be able to apply for funding to help reconcile short-falls in touring budgets.

The fund will also be open for one-off donations and commercial support.

“The FAC has established the UKAT Fund in preparation for when the LIVE Trust becomes operational and starts to distribute revenue from the incoming ticket contributions,” commented David Martin, chief executive of the Featured Artists Coalition.

“It will ensure that any funding allocated for grassroots artists can be distributed in the most effective, transparent and efficient way possible. By helping keep shows on the road, our three fundamental aims are to support artist development, boost audience engagement and help sustain the wider live music supply chain.”

Jon Collins, CEO of LIVE, added: “Addressing the crisis in grassroots music requires all parts of the UK live music industry to play their part in generating funds, identifying solutions, and driving support to those who need it most.

“As LIVE board members, we already work closely with FAC, MMF and the MU and we look forward to learning more about the UKAT Fund as plans are put in place. Momentum is building behind the LIVE Trust, and we would encourage all who are involved in arena and stadia shows to offer their support. Funds generated will be passed through to expert programmes such as this to maximise impact and accelerate their excellent work.”