The Night Time Industries Association (NTIA) has presented its first UK Electronic Music Industry Report, which has demonstrated the economic, community and cultural value of the electronic music industry, and the genre’s interwoven presence in live concerts, events, venues and festivals. Published in collaboration with Audience Strategies, the report showcased how electronic music has had …

Live music bodies call on new Prime Minster for VAT reduction
Following the news that Rishi Sunak has become the UK’s new Prime Minister earlier this week, organisations in the live music sector have called for stability. Sunak was made Prime Minister and leader of the Conservative party following Liz Truss’s resignation after just six weeks in office. Those in the live music sector have called …

National Cinema Day provides boost in UK and US
National Cinema Day in the UK and the US proved successful in providing a boost to ticket sales, with an estimated 8.1 million movie fans attending their local venue in the US and 1.46 million in the UK on Saturday. Discounted tickets were available for £3 and $3 to entice moviegoers back to cinemas, which …

Free Now survey demonstrates importance of independent venues
A new survey from mobility app Free Now has offered a look into the UK’s relationship with music and how the population feels it is important to support and maintain independent music venues. The new Mercury Prize sponsor recently partnered with UK charity Music Venue Trust (MVT), which represents and supports grassroots music venues, to …

Rage Against The Machine cancel UK and European tour dates
American rock band Rage Against The Machine have cancelled their upcoming UK and European tour dates, after frontman Zack de la Rocha injured his leg during a performance. The band had returned to performing last month after an 11-year absence, but de la Rocha injured his leg mid-way through a rescheduled show in Chicago. De …

NTIA expresses concern over nightclub closures
The Night Time Industries Association (NTIA) has expressed its concern over the number of nightclubs that have closed down in the last three years. Statistics from data and insight consultancy CGA demonstrated that there are only 1,130 nightclubs currently open in the UK, a significant decrease compared to pre-pandemic. The data showed that the Midlands …

Smaller UK festivals struggling this summer
The UK’s major flagship festivals such as Glastonbury and Reading and Leeds have already sold out, but smaller festivals are struggling amid the cost-of-living crisis. Newcastle’s This Is Tomorrow, Brainchild in Bentley, East Sussex and Summerfest in Wood Park, Blackburn, have all been cancelled after struggling to sell tickets. Other smaller festivals have also been …

Live Events Reinsurance Scheme protects 15,000 jobs and supports 150 events
The UK Government has said that almost 15,000 jobs and more than 150 events have been supported by its Live Events Reinsurance Scheme, which was launched during the COVID-19 pandemic. The scheme closes in September, but has offered aid to a number of events on the British calendar including The Brit Awards, Virgin Radio’s Big …

LIVE invited to join UK Government’s UK-EU advisory group
LIVE, a live music and entertainment business trade group for the UK, has been invited to join the UK Government’s UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) Domestic Advisory Group (DAG). LIVE will be representing the entertainment and cultural industries, and its application was supported by UK Theatre/Society of London Theatre (SOLT), Association of British Orchestras …

ASM Global launches Help for Ukraine appeal at UK venues
Entertainment and venue management company ASM Global has revealed a fundraising campaign to support humanitarian aid amid the ongoing crisis in Ukraine. Across ASM Global-operated venues in the UK, including AO Arena in Manchester, OVO Arena Wembley in London, First Direct Arena in Leeds, Utilita Arena in Newcastle and P&J Live in Aberdeen, money will …