LIVE Awards: Almost time to shine!
Excitement is building here at LIVE as we edge ever closer to our annual awards.  The votes have been counted, menus tasted and speeches written (mostly).  All that there is left to do now is plan your journey to and from the Troxy and enjoy a spectacular night.  We are thrilled that almost 600 colleagues from across the industry will be gathering next week to celebrate, commiserate, network and laugh.  We know these are challenging times for many in live music but that makes it all the more important to mark another year – and a year that has reaffirmed the public’s love for live music in all its forms.  With one gig every four minutes and our latest audience research showing just 10% of the public do not think about attending gigs, it is clear our sector is important to so many.

LIVE Talks: 2023 roundup

Our final LIVE Talks session of 2023 saw Carers in Performing Arts co-founders and co-CEO’s Cassie Raine and Anna Ehnold-Danailov lead an insightful session on how our industry can better support carers. They explained that many of our workforce will be ‘hidden carers,’ an important (and likely growing) minority of people working in music who have caring responsibilities for people who are not children (and who sometimes have children to care for as well), and shared examples of what best practice can look like for carers and gave tips and strategies for support. 

As we reflect on this year’s fantastic line-up of LIVE Talks partners and the thousands of people from across our industry who have taken part and hopefully benefitted from the sessions, we would like to say a huge thanks to all of our workshop partners, committed partners and attendees. We hope that we have managed to educate and inspire many of you to keep making positive change. Our 2024 programme will be announced very soon, so please keep an eye out! To watch back sessions from 2023, head here: www.livemusic.biz/live-talks.

LIVE Insights: 2022 Report highlights divergence in experience post-lockdown

LIVE’s analysis of 2022 data has highlighted the complex way in which our sector responded as we emerged from lockdown.  As a reminder, 2022 was a year that began with tremendous uncertainty, tested our industry’s ability to deliver and ended with our sector having to navigate increased costs of doing business and an unpredictable customer base (driven by post-Covid behavioural shifts and pressure on disposable income).

At a headline level, it is clear the numbers are heading in the right direction.  Having lost 60% of our value 2021 v 2019, it is significant to have now passed £5bn total spend.  A true testament to the public’s appetite for live music. That said, the headline revenue growth risks hiding key dynamics.  The bounce back has not been uniform with grassroots music venues and independent festivals finding things the most challenging. Working with Government, LIVE will continue to advocate for policies and programmes that nurture our ecosystem in all its glorious diversity.  An ecosystem that delights millions, acts an economic catalyst and does so much for the UK’s reputation on the world stage. To enquire about accessing the report, please contact info@livemusic.biz. 

LIVE Insights: Audience behaviour settling into a new normal?

The fourth wave of LIVE’s rolling audience research has proven to be as revealing as ever.  With a common core of questions, LIVE has been able to track a move towards a new normal when it comes to going out, ticket purchasing and usage.  As Covid concerns like susceptibility to illness in crowds recede, the cost of living pressure remains present (with 1 in 6 still reporting that they have less disposable income than before).  The 25-34 year old demographic are a complex target: they are waiting longer to buy, confident of getting tickets, but also are most concerned about the total costs of events.

Each wave also contains a couple of questions that are chosen for their topicality and/or utility in addressing a current or upcoming topic.  This time we decided to take a look at audience behaviour, following discussions at LIVE Venues and LIVE Festivals as to unusual and atypical behaviour demonstrated by audience members in recent months.  Not just contained to the mosh pit, inappropriate behaviour has been witnessed at classical concerts and musicals.  This creates new challenges for venue staff and the wider audience. 

1 in 5 respondents believed that higher ticket prices bring increased expectations (which can lead to tensions if they are not met).  This rises to 1 in 3 for 18-34s.  31% feel queuing for drinks has become more painful than they remember and again it is our younger customers most firmly of this belief (41% of 18-24s).  36% agree that other people have forgotten how to behave in crowds (rising to 43% in London and 50% for Country and Metal fans).  Meanwhile our audiences are feeling less tolerant (25% overall, rising to 33% in London and 34% of 18-34s) and more easily frustrated (25% overall, rising to 31% in London and 44% of House fans). If you're interested in accessing the full report, please contact info@livemusic.biz.

LIVE x TEAA Roundtable: a great success

LIVE was delighted to participate in a recent roundtable with The Entertainment Agents Association (TEAA), chaired by TEAA President with representatives from 14 agencies covering all areas of live music and entertainment.  This led to a lively and expert discussion with topics covered ranging from political engagement and diversity on lineups to the economics of touring and ticketing regulation. 

The group discussed potential policy items addressing key concerns, with particular reference to the cost of touring and the interests of ‘middle market’ agencies.  JC gave an overview of the current legislative landscape noting ongoing efforts to seek a VAT reduction and recent successes securing Government support for grassroots music and international touring.  Recent statements by Ministers and their Shadows, most notably at the Treasury, demonstrate the increasing recognition amongst policymakers for the role our sector plays as a source of soft power, bringer of joy and economic engine for growth.  This shift in consideration aligns with LIVE’s primary objective to have our sector seen as an important and credible partner of government. 

All agreed to ramp up communications across initiatives and arrange for regular roundtables going forward.  Should you or your organisation think a similar programme could be of value then please do get in touch at info@livemusic.biz. 

Scottish government sets out next steps for alcohol marketing.

The Scottish Government has now published its analysis of responses to the consultation acknowledging the ‘high levels of opposition’ to its initial proposals for new restrictions on alcohol marketing, and pledged to go back to the drawing board to find a ‘narrower’ set of measures that might attract wider support.  

Elena Whitham MSP, Minister for Drugs and Alcohol Policy, said, “The World Health Organisation’s three ‘best buys’ recommend restricting alcohol marketing as one of the most cost-effective measures to prevent and reduce alcohol-related harm. I remain committed to progressing work on restricting alcohol marketing, noting the challenges and range of views put forward as part of this consultation. I will be considering this feedback carefully as next steps are shaped.  The Scottish Government will then seek to undertake a further public consultation in 2024 on a narrower range of proposals, following the planned engagement with stakeholders in early 2024.”