Introducing the LIVE Trust
Established by and acting for the UK live music industry, the LIVE Trust is a transformative new funding initiative that will keep live music at the heart of communities across the UK. The LIVE Trust will deliver funding where it is most needed with an initial focus on the grassroots music sector, which saw 125 grassroots music venues close permanently in 2023, 78 festivals lost in 2024 and a 50% decline in tour dates over the last three decades. The LIVE Trust will work to support those who are keeping venues open, festivals trading, artists touring and all those involved in the promoting and staging of live music performances.
Targeted support, focused fund raising
Fully registered with the Charity Commission (1211251) the LIVE Trust’s initial focus on supporting grassroots music is the correct priority for today. As agreed by the LIVE Board in consultation with Government and Parliament, the work supported by the LIVE Trust will be funded by a £1 contribution from tickets sold for arena and stadia shows above 5,000 capacity and larger outdoor events and festivals. To date, this pound has sat inside or outside the ticket and been treated as either a commercial transaction, incurring VAT or a charitable donation without VAT. We are in dialogue with Government to identify if there is a preferred mechanism to ensure all of the monies raised flow through to the Trust.
Transparent and relevant decision-making
Our three founding trustees, James Ainscough CEO at the Royal Albert Hall, Steve Lamacq of 6 Music and the current LIVE Chair, and Kirsty McShannon, founder & CEO of Azorra, bring a wealth of experience and expertise to the Trust. We will be advertising for additional trustees shortly, seeking industry leaders from across the live music sector who will help determine our next steps. Trustees from a range of roles and backgrounds will strengthen our decision making, ensuring funds from the Trust go where they will have most impact, guided by a transparent funding strategy agreed annually with input from LIVE and the wider UK live music sector.
Avoiding duplication, maximising value
The LIVE Trust’s central philosophy is to act for the good of our sector as a whole, supporting existing schemes where they are working well and coordinating work across those projects to deliver the biggest impact and best value. Rather than create an expensive and duplicatory administration to handle individual applications, the LIVE Trust will direct funds to established programmes run by the likes of MVT and FAC, expanding and accelerating their excellent work.
Get Involved
If you would like to help us in our work supporting grassroots music across the UK then please do not hesitate to get in touch at livetrust@livemusic.biz.
A successful LIVE Trust will not only mean crucial funds flowing to the grassroots, it will also demonstrate to Government our ability to self-regulate and our value as a partner as they tackle a range of challenges affecting our sector from EU touring reform to ticket touting.
“We are glad government has entrusted our sector to play our part in addressing the crisis in grassroots music. Alongside government’s work to deliver an improved trading environment, we are accelerating our work on the development of the LIVE Trust and associated funding to help distribute money to the places it’s needed most. Together with government, we will continue our work to help safeguard the future of grassroots music, and ensure our sector remains world- leading, brings joy to millions, and delivers economic growth in towns and cities across the UK” Jon Collins, LIVE CEO.
