Glasgow council backs big music venue ticket levy

In a significant move for the music scene in Glasgow, city councillors have voted in favor of a new £1 levy on tickets for major concerts held at the OVO Hydro. This initiative aims to generate funds that will be directed towards supporting smaller music venues in the area. The OVO Hydro, which has a capacity of 14,300, frequently hosts top-tier artists and events, and the introduction of this levy could potentially raise substantial amounts of money each year. The council's decision was made during a full meeting where members from various political parties came together to support the motion. The Scottish Greens, who spearheaded this proposal, highlighted that upcoming performances by popular artists such as Kylie Minogue, Sam Fender, and Olly Murs could alone generate around £160,000 from this levy. This initiative has garnered attention from campaigners who have long advocated for smaller venues across the UK to receive financial support from the profits generated by large arena and stadium concerts. Notably, several well-known artists, including Coldplay and Sam Fender, have already implemented their own levies during tours to assist the grassroots music sector, which has faced significant challenges, leading to the closure of many venues last year. Green councillor Christy Mearns, who introduced the motion, expressed her delight at the cross-party support for the plan. She stated, 'This could help to raise much-needed revenue for Glasgow's grassroots venues which are under threat, yet which are absolutely vital to our city's musical success. ' Mearns emphasized the importance of grassroots venues in nurturing new talent and fostering local music cultures, stating, 'Without them, it's very possible we wouldn't have many of the big names who started out in exactly these spaces. ' A representative from the Scottish Event Campus, which encompasses the OVO Hydro and the SEC Armadillo, welcomed the initiative, recognizing the live entertainment industry as a crucial component of the UK economy. They remarked, 'The live entertainment industry is of vital importance to the UK economy, and we welcome initiatives that seek to support it. ' They also noted that all stakeholders in the industry are collaborating on a proposed levy to provide essential support to the grassroots ecosystem and are exploring the most effective ways to implement this. According to the Music Venue Trust, 125 venues across the UK ceased hosting live music in 2023, with half of them shutting down entirely. The trust estimates that the total number of such venues has decreased by 13%, and approximately one-third are currently operating at a loss, primarily due to rising rental costs. In May, the cross-party Culture, Media and Sport committee in Westminster discussed the need for an industry-led voluntary levy, which is set to take effect in 2025. Creative Industries Minister Sir Chris Bryant has expressed his desire to see proposals from the industry in the first quarter of the upcoming year.