2025 – a pivotal year for UK live music
Welcome to this, the first LIVE newsletter of 2025. We hope you enjoyed a relaxing and rejuvenating break … not least because this will be a big year for UK live music as we use LIVE’s status as a trusted partner and critical friend of Government to push ahead with a series of reforms and legislative proposals across touring, ticketing and more. And the development of the LIVE Trust will underpin it all. As ever, this newsletter will keep you up to speed with all our work so get set for more detail in the coming weeks on our campaigning and the roll out of the LIVE Trust.
LIVE welcomes Government plans to ‘tackle greedy touts’
After many years of campaigning, and having secured a commitment from Labour when in opposition, LIVE was delighted to support the consultation announced today to introduce new measures to prevent consumers being fleeced by ticket touts as part of the government’s Plan for Change. And central to that plan is a new cap on the price of resold tickets for concerts to clamp down on ticket touts fleecing the public.
In addition to the cap, the consultation proposes: limiting the number of tickets resellers can list; increasing the accountability of ticket resale websites and apps; and strengthening consumer enforcement. Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said, "The chance to see your favourite musicians or sports team live is something all of us enjoy and everyone deserves a fair shot at getting tickets - but for too long fans have had to endure the misery of touts hoovering up tickets for resale at vastly inflated prices. As part of our Plan for Change, we are taking action to strengthen consumer protections, stop fans getting ripped off and ensure money spent on tickets goes back into our incredible live events sector, instead of into the pockets of greedy touts."
Commenting for LIVE, Jon Collins, added, “LIVE welcomes this positive step to put fans back at the heart of live music by tackling ticket touting. We have been a long-term and vociferous advocate for regulation of the secondary market, supporting the great work of the FanFair Alliance, and are pleased to see government delivering on its manifesto commitment in this area. We are delighted that measures which permit responsible and fair fan-to-fan resale, while eliminating third-party profiteering, will be brought forward. This will reduce the incentive for touts to squeeze fans out of the primary sale and highlights the need to set the cap on resales at or near the original price. We look forward to continuing to work with government to ensure fans can enjoy our world-class live music sector."
LIVE Talks: Drinks For Everyone – Inclusive Drinking with Club Soda
Date: 28.01.25
Location: Online
Sign Up For Free - https://www.skiddle.com/
We’re kicking off the first LIVE Talks session of the year with a special event in collaboration with Club Soda, the UK’s leading mindful drinking movement. This session explores why inclusive drinking is transforming the live music event experience and the crucial role it plays in ensuring your event caters to all guests—regardless of their alcohol preferences.
Laura Willoughby MBE, founder of Club Soda, will lead the discussion, sharing her expertise on how offering a range of low and no-alcohol drinks is reshaping the live music scene. As the driving force behind the Low & No Tasting Room in Covent Garden and one of the most influential figures in the non-alcoholic drinks movement, Laura’s insights will offer invaluable guidance for event organisers looking to create inclusive, welcoming environments.
Laura’s work has been instrumental in turning the non-alcoholic drinks sector from niche to mainstream. She’s been recognised as one of the top 100 most influential people in the drinks industry and one of the 100 most influential women in hospitality. Her passion for mindful drinking and dedication to supporting people’s journeys to live well without alcohol have made her a leading authority on the topic.
Join us for this thought-provoking discussion and gain valuable insights that can help you make your live music events more inclusive, successful, and engaging for a wider audience.
Peers weigh in behind LIVE as Lords begins consideration of Martyn’s Law
As a critical friend of the Home Office’s work to develop proposals under the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill (aka Martyn’s Law), LIVE was pleased to see numerous contributors to the latest debate take up our points. During the debate, Lords raised issues on items including the role of the SIA, the Licensing Act, Grey Zones, and the burden placed on businesses. Lord Anderson of Ipswich made our point that “music festivals, venues and events are already regulated under the Licensing Act 2003” and flagged our concern as to how any overlap between this and the new regime is handled. While Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay asked, “where do the boundaries of a venue’s responsibility begin and end?” and noted our view that it is only the police that have jurisdiction over crime and disorder in the public realm. LIVE agrees with Lord Parkinson that this needs to be reflected in the Bill.
ETA Update. Eligible Non-European national visitors now require an ETA
This week marked a major step in the Government’s plan to digitise the UK border and immigration system. From Thursday, all eligible non-European nationals require an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) to travel to or transit through the UK. Eligible Europeans, will be able to apply from 5 March 2025 and will need an ETA to travel to or transit through the UK from 2 April 2025.
From April 2025, all travellers to the UK, except British and Irish citizens, will need permission to travel in advance through either ETA or an eVisa. Eligible visitors should apply for their ETA through the UK ETA app, which is quick and simple to use and enables most applicants to receive a decision within hours. People who require a visa to visit the UK will continue to do so, and should not obtain an ETA. Those who are exempt from immigration control will not require an ETA.
For information see: https://www.gov.uk/electronic-travel-authorisation
Member Updates
PSA launches a new training bursary scheme.
The Production Services Association (PSA) is thrilled to announce an exciting new initiative launching in January 2025: the PSA Training Bursary Scheme, developed in collaboration with Precision Broking Ltd and AXA Insurance.
The training bursary scheme comes in part as a response to some of the ongoing challenges the live industry faces, which were highlighted in a member survey earlier this year. Skills shortage is currently a key issue for the industry, and the top request from members was to be able to access more training opportunities. This scheme aims to support PSA members by covering some of the costs associated with essential training programmes tailored to the production and live events industry.
Applications open on 6th January 2025 through a straightforward application form on our website, making it easy to access and take advantage of these training opportunities. www.psa.org.uk
Black Lives in Music
This month, our CEO, Dr. Charisse Beaumont, will head to ESNS (Eurosonic Noorderslag) in Groningen, Netherlands (15–18 January). She’ll join two impactful panels: Confident and Powering Up Black Talent in the Live Sector and The Art of Equitable Programming, sharing insights from our research and initiatives driving inclusivity in the music industry.
Our Director of Operations, Roger Wilson, will moderate the Breaking the Cultural Barriers panel at the Music and Drama Education Expo in London on 31 January, exploring how cultural barriers and singing traditions impact music education.
We’re also thrilled to introduce Rest Salon, online peer support sessions for Black deaf, disabled, and neurodivergent music professionals and creators. Created in partnership with Attitude is Everything and led by Eve Horne, CEO of We Are The Unheard, these sessions are all about connection, reflection, and support. We’re so proud to offer this safe and uplifting space for our community.
Learn more and register - https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/rest-salon-tickets-1109373669509?aff=oddtdtcreator].
Featured Artist Coalition (FAC)
-FAC CEO, David Martin, speaks to NME about recording breaking music stats.
- Launching the FAC Artist Council: The 32 artists will support the organisations representation of the UK's artist community.
- FAC 101: Funding your artist projects with PRS Foundation: PRS Foundation's, Hannah Bashir-Eviston, Grants Coordinator will explain the funding available and how to apply.
- Art of Listening #4 with Keith Jopling: The latest in the series, The album of the year is...The Album!
-The FAC are delighted to bring you the last two artists from round 1 of the Propeller Sessions, KXNG KOJO and Maxime Elliot.
PLASA announces leadership changes
Matt Lloyd of 3LR Lighting is the new Chair of the Association, bringing his extensive expertise and innovative way of working. Koy Neminathan of Elation Professional takes on the role of Treasurer, ensuring continued fiscal responsibility. Adlib’s Andy Dockerty continues as Vice Chair, providing a wealth of industry insight and experience.
After seven years as Chair, Adam Blaxill of Stage Electrics steps down to join the Executive Board as a Non-Executive Director, providing valuable understanding. These strategic changes position PLASA for continued growth and success in the live entertainment technology industry.
PLASA & NRAG Issue Statement on Fraudulent NRC Activity
Fraudulent NRC cards are in circulation, with individuals falsely claiming NRC accreditation. PLASA and NRAG (National Rigging Advisory Group) uphold the high standards of NRC accreditation and are addressing this issue urgently to ensure safety.