Poets & Brixton Academy: £1 Tickets for LIVE Trust

Here’s a summary of the article, focusing on the key‍ points:

Only the Poets are implementing a⁣ £1 ticket levy on their ⁤shows to support the ‍UK’s grassroots music scene. ‍ This means an extra £1 will be added to each ticket price and ‍donated to the LIVE ‍Trust.

The LIVE Trust supports artists, venues, promoters, and ‍festivals at the grassroots level. Jon Collins, CEO of LIVE Trust, praised ⁢the band’s initiative as a positive step for both the music community and their fans.

This ‌levy‌ is part of ⁣a wider campaign launched by the Music Venue Trust in response to a crisis in the grassroots ⁤music scene. 2023 saw a record number of venue closures (125, ​or two per week).

The £1 levy model is inspired by similar schemes ⁣in ‌football (Premier League) and other European countries. It applies to tickets for arena and stadium shows, with the funds being redistributed to smaller venues.

The article highlights the financial struggles faced by ⁢many musicians, with a majority of autonomous acts never touring and many earning below minimum wage. There ‍are concerns that music is becoming inaccessible to those without financial ​means.

Government backing for the levy⁣ was secured‍ in November 2024, following initial calls for it in May of the same year.In essence, the article details a positive⁤ development in the fight to save ‌the‌ UK’s grassroots music scene, with Only the Poets leading by example and a wider levy system gaining momentum.