A fan-led review of live music has been launched by MPs with the aim of improving the sustainability of the grassroots to safeguard the success of the wider UK music industry.
The review, announced by Culture, Media and Sport Committee Chair Dame Caroline Dinenage at the SXSW London festival, was one of the recommendations from the predecessor Committee’s report on grassroots music venues, published in the last Parliament.
The report amplified concerns by venue operators, touring artists and independent promoters regarding the financial precarity of the grassroots music sector, with venues shutting at the rate of two a week.
Encompassing all aspects of live and electronic music, the review will be chaired by Lord Brennan of Canton, a member of the previous Committee, with the aim of bringing music lovers together to discuss ideas and policies to protect the industry and ensure it works in the best interests of fans.
It will consider the music fan experience, from the provision of live and electronic music through to considerations of safety, examine the sustainability of venues, and explore the barriers to touring faced by emerging artists. It will also look at the effectiveness of existing policies and how different levels of government support live music.
“Despite some headway being made on an industry-led levy to support grassroots music, venues are still shutting their doors at an alarming rate, while the Government continues to stick its fingers in its ears when it comes to calls for a fan-led review,” commented Dinenage. “It’s time to put the power in the hands of those who truly understand and love live and electronic music – the fans, artists, DJs and festival goers, as well as those who work behind the scenes. They deserve a voice in shaping a thriving grassroots music scene and building a sustainable talent pipeline that ensures the UK music industry remains one of the UK’s global success stories.”
Dame Caroline has also tabled an amendment to legislation currently going through Parliament to strengthen the rights of music venues in potential noise disputes with new neighbouring developments.
The amendment to the Planning and Infrastructure Bill, which returns to the House of Commons on June 9th, would put the so-called ‘Agent of Change’ principle on a statutory footing, meaning existing businesses and facilities should not have unreasonable restrictions placed on them as a result of development permitted after they were established.
“Small music venues and nightclubs are already under immense pressure and the current planning system is only adding to their burden,” added Dinenage. “Requiring local authorities to properly consider existing venues when approving new developments would be a game-changer. It would help protect the live music ecosystem and give these vital cultural spaces a real chance to survive and thrive.”
The predecessor Committee’s report found that off the 148 grassroots music venues lost in 2023 approximately 22 per cent closed as a result of operational issues, such as revocation of premises licences or unachievable licence renewal terms. Around 12 per cent closed following eviction or redevelopment.
Further information on the review and how to take part will be announced in due course.