LIVE to host International Association Summit

In what has become an annual event, next week will see LIVE co-host a gathering of international music associations as a pre-cursor to ILMC 37 in London.  Alongside Johannes Everke, Managing Director, BDKV, the German concert and events industry association, LIVE will bring together pan-European organisations alongside reps from major EU markets and North America.  A packed agenda will review the state of live music across the globe and consider ways to work in coordination to deliver regulatory improvements.  A particular focus will be on the upcoming UK-EU Summit in May given the potential for improved touring arrangements.

LIVE leads delegation into the Home Office

As part of our ongoing work to strengthen the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill (ala Martyn’s Law), LIVE arranged for a group of industry experts to meet with the Home Office in order to review the current legislative position and consider options for strengthening the final output.  Critical for LIVE was the ways of working of the planned new inspectorate, their duty to consult with industry and align with local licensing authorities.  

We were encouraged by the constructive and engaged approach of the Home Office team and the clear opportunities that lie ahead to help shape the inspectorate, related guidance and approach to industry engagement.  As a reminder, it will be mid-2027 at the earliest before this new regime goes live.  In the meantime, we will, of course, continue to support LIVE members (particularly venues and festivals) in their work on counter terrorism.

LIVE, MVT and Ecotricity launch the Live Events Energy Scheme (LEES) 

A pioneering initiative designed to help live music venues access affordable, 100% renewable energy by uniting under a shared energy purchasing model, LEES delivers significant cost savings and promotes sustainable best practices across the industry.  At the heart of the scheme is the energy basket model with participants benefiting from the economies of scale that come with buying energy collectively.  This approach not only brings together venues of all sizes, it also unlocks lower rates that would typically only be available to much larger individual consumers.

LEES is the latest development in LIVE’s partnership with Ecotricity, designed to help eliminate fossil fuels from the live music sector – reducing our carbon footprint while strengthening financial resilience.  To be a part of LEES or for more information, email lees@ecorticity.co.uk LIVE and Ecotricity will also be at the Green Events & Innovation Conference next Tuesday so, if you are around, come and talk to the team.

LIVE addresses National Licensing Forum

As part of our wider engagement work, LIVE sits on the National Licensing Forum (NLF) a group designed to bring together industry, regulators and policymakers in a bid to improve common understanding, share information and shape a better operating environment for all.  In addition to Martyn’s Law, this latest meeting received an update from the Home Office on its wider work, considered the best partnership programmes out there and reviewed the current state of industry regulator relations.

Have your Say: Survey on Unfair Cancellations of Black Live Music Events

The Black Lives in Music (BLiM) REMEL (Race Equality in Music Events Licensing) survey, developed in partnership with the Musicians’ Union, UK Music, LIVE, and the Mayor of London to explore the impact of discriminatory licensing on Black and Asian-led music events remains open.  The research, conducted by the Runnymede Trust, aims to gather experiences from artists, promoters, and venue managers and others who work in London's nighttime economy to understand how licensing policies affect live music in London.

The findings will help inform discussions with councils, the police, and industry leaders, with the goal of improving fairness and transparency in event licensing.  We can transform the industry, but we need your help. If you or your networks have experience in this area, please share your stories and share the survey: blim.org.uk/change.  LIVE is proud to support this vital work with our CEO, Jon Collins saying, ““As part of Project REMEL, LIVE held a roundtable that highlighted how Black, Asian and ethnically diverse artists, promoters, venues and events are consistently faced with bigger barriers than their white counterparts.  There are clear steps that need to be taken to address this imbalance, and a solid research foundation will ensure those steps are supported.  This survey and the work of Project REMEL are of vital importance as we seek to address long term institutional discrimination and, as a result, facilitate a range of gigs, festivals and club nights that will bring economic, cultural and societal benefits.”

Music Fans Invited to Share Their Thoughts on the Future of Live Music in the UK

The first-ever Music Fans’ Voice survey is ongoing, giving gig-goers a direct say in shaping the future of live music in the UK.  Music is nothing without the fans and this survey will give audiences a chance to have their say in the future of live music.  This first of its kind survey is a chance for live music lovers to be heard on a range of subjects while also offering insight on their gig going habits and choices.  The survey was commissioned by Greater Manchester Combined Authority, The Mayor of London, Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, West Midlands Combined Authority, Tees Valley Combined Authority, Cardiff City Council, Belfast City Council and Glasgow Music City.

The survey builds on a recommendation from last year's CMS Committee report into grassroots music and LIVE would encourage all to get involved and promote participation.  You can find out more here and access the survey here: Your Voice in UK Live Music