LIVE Awards: judging under way, trophies being created!

Preparations for the third annual LIVE Awards, which will take place in association with Skiddle on Wednesday 11th December at Troxy, East London, have shifted up a gear now we are less than five weeks from the big night.  Our esteemed panel of expert judges is running the rule over the category finalists for 2024 … a tougher job than ever given the strength of submissions.

And building on LIVE’s commitment to sustainability, the creative geniuses behind our trophies are working hard to offer our winners a unique, appealing and environmentally conscious memento of a successful evening.  With year one’s trophies constructed out of repurposed audio equipment and last year’s shaped by the same waters that brought popular music across the Atlantic and shaped the sound of a generation, this year’s awards take our sustainable approach in a new (but still music focused) direction.  Keep an eye on our socials for more details in the coming days.

We’re delighted to unveil three fantastic new sponsors who will be supporting some of our most prestigious award categories this year. 

Absen Live – Major Festival of the Year Award

The Power of Events – Live Workforce Award

LMP Group – Festival of the Year Award]

Ecotricity – LIVE Green Award

Music + Sport -- Booking Agency (>21)

These sponsorships reflect the diverse ecosystem of the live music industry and its reliance on creativity, technology, workforce excellence, and unforgettable audience experiences. Limited tables and individual seats for the awards are still available and include a welcome drinks reception, dinner with wine and petit fours, three hours of complimentary drinks, and an afterparty that goes on into the early hours. 

As LIVE’s primary annual fundraising event, all proceeds from the awards will directly support our work engaging government on a range of sector critical issues, help support our members to meet their sustainability goals and foster a more diverse, equitable and inclusive working environment. We can’t wait to celebrate the achievements of all our nominees on December 11th at The Troxy, London. Join us as we honor the individuals and organizations driving the UK’s live music scene forward! 

Government urges live music industry to protect grassroots venues

In the government’s much anticipated response to the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee’s report on grassroots music venues, Creative Industries Minister Sir Chris Bryant called on the live music industry to work together to raise funds to help support grassroots venues, festivals, artists and promoters - in agreement with the Committee’s recommendation.  

Government has recognised that valuable steps have already been taken by artists such as Coldplay and Sam Fender, and by LIVE through our work to establish a charitable trust to distribute funds but notes that there is still more to do and reserves the right to formally intervene if necessary.  Responding for LIVE, Jon Collins said, “We are glad government has entrusted our sector to play our part in addressing the crisis in grassroots music.  Driving forward an industry-led solution to the challenges currently being experienced by venues, artists, festivals and promoters remains our number one priority. 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.  We will regularly update on our progress of the LIVE Trust”.

Having increased costs on grassroots venues significantly at the recent budget, Government chose not to take forward the Committee’s recommendation that a VAT cut be introduced for the sector.  Such a move would have helped counter the cost increases brought about by changes to business rates relief and national insurance.  LIVE is disappointed that the Government is not pursuing a VAT cut as we know it would be both a lifeline for independent venues and festivals and a catalyst for more economic activity right across the UK.  As the government looks for growth opportunities, LIVE will highlight how 20% VAT creates an artificial ceiling on the number of viable shows, tours and festivals in the UK.  

LIVE talks licensing at IoL Conference

The Institute of Licensing is the professional body that represents those who work within the field of licensing – bringing together council and police licensing officers, councillors, legal practitioners and the trade.  LIVE had the great pleasure last week of attending the IoL’s annual conference where the sharpest and best informed minds in licensing came together to discuss current and future regulation of our sector.  A vital conversation given the centrality of licensing to the functioning of live music venues, festivals and events. 

In addition to setting out how enlightened regulation can allow live music to rebrand and reinvigorate town centres and public spaces, LIVE was joined by Jen Mackley, to talk licensing and Glastonbury, and the AIF’s John Rostron, to talk festivals 2024 and 2025.  LIVE also participated in panel sessions on the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill with a focus on how this incoming legislation can be made to work alongside (rather than conflict with) licensing.  

Agents set out key concerns at LIVE roundtable

LIVE was delighted to host the latest in our series of roundtables with The Entertainment Agents Association to discuss sector concerns, Government intentions and market sentiment.  Over the course of an informative and enjoyable meeting, topics covered included: new Government’s approach to music; opportunities presented by the upcoming industrial strategy and trade strategy; EU touring reform; and the imminent consultation on ticketing.

Agents highlighted ongoing challenges in both domestic and international touring, pressures on grassroots and opportunities if we can expand tour dates and locations.  Actions from the meeting included information exchange on progressive recruitment, tackling inefficiencies in touring administration and building an evidence base to support EU touring reform.  Agents were also taken through plans for the LIVE Trust and its role in supporting the grassroots of the UK live music ecosystem, from artists and venues to festivals, promoters and more.

PLASA AGM updates and informs 

LIVE was pleased to join our board member, PLASA, at their AGM this week.  Clearly an association in rude health, the AGM included presentations on PLASA’s work on sustainability and EDI.  In addition, there were hugely informative presentations from behavioural economist Roger Martin-Fagg, (spoiler alert, 2025 is going to be a great year) and Jazz Cool, who simplified the often seemingly complex issues of culture and inclusion and offered clear, actionable insights.

LIVE Talks Presents:

MUSIC SUPPORT: FAMILY & FRIENDS - THE RIPPLE EFFECT OF ADDICTION AND RECOVERY  
 
Sign up for free here.

Date: Wednesday 4th December 2024
Time: 12pm - 1pm GMT UK
Location: Virtual / online
 
Session Overview:
Ripple effect - “A situation in which one event produces effects which spread and produce further effects”. 

Music Support, the charity that helps anyone who works in the UK music industry experiencing challenges with substance use and/or mental health, is currently supporting the highest number of individuals since we established with a 51% increase in demand to our Helpline in the last year alone. 
 
Alcohol addiction presents as the number one challenge, closely followed by anxiety, depression and burnout. Mental ill-health and addiction do not just affect the individual directly impacted; they can also send a ripple effect that can severely impact those around them. 
 
Join us for a discussion on the ripple effect and what Music Support does to help family and friends (including colleagues) supporting someone who is struggling from online resources and peer support calls to our brand-new free workshop focusing on addiction and co-dependency.  
 
Please email gaby@livemusic.biz for any accessibility needs.