A new UK Artist Touring Fund (UKATF) has been launched by the Musicians' Union, Featured Artists Coalition and Music Managers Forum.
Applications are now open for support which will focus on "reconciling" shortfalls in touring budgets, overcoming the increasing significant financial obstacles artists face when considering whether to go on the road. Session musicians and managers will also "benefit fairly and appropriately".
The news comes in the wake of a Ditto music survey that found 84% of 1,500 independent musicians could no longer afford to tour, the latest in a long list of research spotlighting the plight of artists and the live music industry in general dating back to the Covid-19 pandemic. Soaring cost of living and prohibitively tight financials for most venues are just two of the complex challenges.
You can learn more about the Fund and how to apply here.
“'We are delighted to partner with the FAC to ensure that touring artists, and the backing musicians who perform with them, are funded to do what they do best," said Naomi Pohl, General Secretary, Musician’ Union. "The past five years have been extremely difficult for musicians due to COVID and the rising cost of touring, both within the UK and overseas. We want to make sure there is clear and transparent access to support, not only for those who book and platform artists, but for artists themselves and the huge teams they employ.”
In November last year, the British government accepted and adopted recommendations from the Culture Media & Sport Select Committee that any ticket to a major arena concert should include a £1 levy which is then reinvested in vital grass roots music projects and infrastructure. This would apply to any gig with a capacity of 5,000 or more.
A month later, Creative Industries Minister Chris Bryant set a deadline of late-March to deliver "tangible progress" on the scheme. LIVE Trust, a new industry supported charity, has since been set up to receive and administer proceeds from the scheme, some of which will be used by UKATF. Individual donations can also be made directly to the Fund. Crucially, though, it remains unclear how much impact the system will have as the initiative is voluntary.
“The FAC has established the UKAT Fund in preparation for when the LIVE Trust becomes operational and starts to distribute revenue from the incoming ticket contributions," added David Martin, CEO, Featured Artists Coalition. "It will ensure that any funding allocated for grassroots artists can be distributed in the most effective, transparent and efficient way possible. By helping keep shows on the road, our three fundamental aims are to support artist development, boost audience engagement and help sustain the wider live music supply chain."