Bands are skipping more towns and cities on tour

In recent years, many towns and cities across the UK have experienced a significant decline in live music events. This decline is largely due to the fact that bands and artists are performing far fewer shows on their tours compared to the 1990s. According to new statistics from the Music Venue Trust, artists are currently averaging around 11 shows on their grassroots tours, a stark contrast to the 22 shows that were typical in 1994. Jon Collins, the chief executive of the live music trade organization Live, noted that this trend is also evident in mid-capacity and arena-level tours. During a music industry conference, Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy expressed her concerns, stating that 'too many parts of the country have become cultural deserts. ' She emphasized that access to a vibrant cultural life should be a right for everyone, and lamented that many people are being denied this opportunity. Sam Duckworth, a singer-songwriter known for his work as Get Cape Wear Cape Fly, highlighted what he described as 'a spiraling crisis' affecting all but the most prominent artists, venues, and promoters. Reflecting on his early career, Duckworth recalled that his first major tour consisted of 54 dates, a feat that he believes would be impossible to replicate today. He explained that fans in certain regions are now faced with the dilemma of either traveling long distances to see their favorite artists or hoping that their town is included on a tour. This situation not only represents an economic crisis but also a crisis of access, as many individuals are forced to travel over an hour and a half to attend a concert. Duckworth pointed out that the rising costs of living have compounded the issue, with train fares, ticket prices, and everyday expenses all increasing. He emphasized that the financial burden of organizing a concert is often underestimated. With a band to pay, a van to fuel, and accommodations to arrange, the costs can quickly escalate into the thousands of pounds. Additionally, the expenses associated with the venue and staff must also be accounted for. As a result, if tours are operating at a loss, the most effective way to mitigate those losses is to reduce the number of shows. While artists still have a strong desire to perform, many are finding that the only way to break even is by scaling back their tour schedules. In a bid to support smaller venues, the band Coldplay has announced that they will donate 10% of the proceeds from their upcoming shows at Wembley and Hull to the Music Venue Trust. This organization typically sells around 20 million tickets annually, but this figure is projected to drop to 15 million this year, indicating a dramatic decrease in live music within communities. Collins, who also spoke at the Beyond the Music conference, shared that there are reports of international artists bypassing the UK altogether or opting to perform only in London. Instead of conducting six shows across the UK, they may choose to do just two. When planning their tours, artists must consider whether it makes sense to perform in cities like Manchester or Birmingham, and if they do, they may have to skip nearby cities like Leeds and Liverpool to avoid overlapping audiences. This could lead to a situation where only a few major cities, such as London, Manchester, Birmingham, and Glasgow, are included in touring routes, leaving many areas without access to live performances. Coldplay is making an effort to counter this trend by including Hull in their tour next summer, but it is worth noting that Hull's Craven Park Stadium and Wembley Stadium in London will be the only UK venues on their 2025 world tour. The absence of bands in smaller towns and cities also has economic repercussions, as local businesses such as hotels, bars, and taxis miss out on potential income. Furthermore, international acts often do not hire British crews for shorter UK tours, which further impacts the local economy. Collins has called on the government to reduce the VAT on concert tickets, which currently stands at 20%. In contrast, countries like France, Germany, and Italy have much lower rates, often around 10% or less. He believes that this tax is creating an artificial barrier that limits the number of shows, tours, and festivals that could be organized. A spokesperson from HM Treasury responded by stating, 'We do not comment on speculation around tax changes outside of fiscal events. ' The Music Venue Trust is also advocating for a £1 levy on all arena and stadium concerts to help support grassroots venues. Earlier this year, a House of Commons select committee indicated that if the music industry could not reach an agreement to implement such a subsidy by September, the government should make it a legal requirement. That deadline has now passed, and the Live trade body is working to establish a trust to distribute funds. However, Collins noted that reaching a consensus within the industry has proven to be complicated, with differing opinions on the legality and feasibility of a standardized scheme. In the meantime, he has urged more artists to follow Coldplay's lead and contribute a portion of their earnings to support smaller venues. Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy has expressed her deep concern regarding the closure of live music venues. She stated that the government is 'deeply concerned about the closure of live music venues and the huge challenges that face existing venues right now. ' Nandy emphasized that this issue is a top priority for the government, and she aims to facilitate the transformation of empty buildings into community-owned venues, among other initiatives to enhance access to music education and instruments. While she did not specifically mention the ticket levy, a spokesperson for the Department for Culture, Media and Sport expressed encouragement regarding the music industry's exploration of a voluntary levy to support talented musicians throughout their careers, from grassroots to the main stage.