Christopher BarrettResale ticketing platform Tixel has become the first ticketing operation to back the LIVE Trust, a funding initiative launched in January to support the grassroots live music industry via a stadium and arena show levy.
A £1 LIVE Trust contribution will be automatically be included at checkout on all Tixel transactions for shows at UK venues with capacities above 5,000. The funds will be sent directly to the Trust in order to support grassroots artists, venues, promoters and festivals across the UK.
Tixel also announced that it has made a £20,000 donation in support of the wider remit of LIVE’s work, which includes policy and advocacy work in support of venues, festivals, artists, promoters and the wider live music industry on issues such as EU touring arrangements, accelerating inclusion and addressing the climate crisis.
LIVE (Live music Industry Venues & Entertainment) represents 15 live music industry organisations including the Concert Promoters Association and Association of Independent Festivals. It launched the Trust in January and by the end of April had been pledged more than £500,000 from UK tours of domestic and international artists including Pulp, Diana Ross, Mumford & Sons and Hans Zimmer.
Creative Industries Minister Sir Chris Bryant MP has said introducing legislation to force promoters to pay a £1 levy on arena and stadiums shows remains an option.
LIVE CEO Jon Collins said, “Parliament and Government have asked LIVE to step up, support the grassroots and implement a funding solution. Tixel’s generous support of LIVE will help underpin our wider work programme, our LIVE Talks, LIVE Workforce and LIVE Green initiatives do so much to improve the operating environment for all at the grassroots. By supplementing the donation with the £1 LIVE Trust contribution, Tixel is leading the way in establishing long-term, sustainable funding streams for our sector. This money will go straight to programmes supporting community-based music venues and festivals, artists and promoters. Tixel’s progressive attitude and willingness to act are so welcome in these challenging times. We hope others in the industry will follow their lead as, collectively, we can drive impactful and lasting change across the industry.”
According to LIVE, 125 grassroots music venues closed permanently in 2023, the equivalent of two per week, 78 festivals were lost in 2024, and there has been a 50% decline in tour dates over the last three decades.
Tixel director of UK/EU Matt Kaplan said, “We applaud LIVE, and the various other organisations who are working hard to implement support programs on-the-ground, for stepping up and keeping the sustainability of live music today and tomorrow on the public agenda.”