First ever UK live music body - formed to tackle unprecedented challenges from COVID-19, Brexit and beyond

18 February 2021 - Press release

UK live music industry launches new overarching industry federation as voice of the business

LIVE (Live music industry, venue and entertainment) has formally launched as the voice of the UK’s live music industry, a sector that contributes over £4.5 billion to the UK economy. 

LIVE members are a federation of leading live music industry associations representing 3,150 businesses, over 4,000 artists and 2,000 backstage workers.

LIVE was initially formed in response to the unprecedented pressure and devastation faced by the industry due to COVID-19.  

LIVE has already worked with Government to secure vital support for the industry, through the Culture Recovery Fund, and is now formalising the group to ensure the recovery of the industry.
The UK live music industry has joined together for the first time to formally launch its own industry body, LIVE, after a year of devastation due to COVID-19 and now a raft of new challenges posed by Brexit.

The federation will be the voice of the UK’s live music ecosystem including artists, managers, venues, festivals, promoters, agents, production and ticketing. Membership is made up of the 13 principal industry associations across the sector, representing 3,150 companies, over 4,000 artists and 2,000 backstage workers.

Greg Parmley, CEO of LIVE said: “It’s long overdue that the UK’s live music industry has a properly representative body, and LIVE will be that unified voice as the industry comes out of lockdown and beyond.   The unprecedented challenges we face might paint a bleak picture, and this is a critical time, but together we can help protect jobs and the future of live music, as we move toward restoring the UK industry to its world leading best.

“LIVE is an opportunity to represent the whole of the live industry, from the smallest show to the biggest festival. We are delighted that the founding associations include organisations at the very top of our industry and those with deep connections into the foundations on which that industry is built.”

Stuart Galbraith at Kilimanjaro Live was instrumental in the formation of LIVE alongside Live Nation’s Phil Bowdery and the association heads. He says: “LIVE is focused on securing the long-term support for our industry that we vitally need and protecting the jobs and livelihoods from the double whammy of COVID-19 and Brexit. We are a £4.5 billion world-leading industry, and by bringing together all of the unique voices within it and working collaboratively, we are in a far better position to protect and support our ecosystem as a result.”

As one of the first sectors to close at the outbreak of the pandemic, and one of the last to reopen, live music has suffered enormously throughout the COVID-19 crisis. LIVE was initially formed in response and quickly began co-ordinating, resourcing and supporting the superb efforts of committed groups and individuals across the industry.

LIVE and its members have become the voice of the live music industry to the Government and media and are heavily represented on numerous Government working groups and committees. It has had real and early success for its members, including the #LetTheMusicPlay campaign that helped secure millions of pounds in additional funding from the Culture Recovery Fund to protect the live music industry.

The organisation is currently campaigning for:
- Three-year extension to the reduced cultural VAT rate on tickets
- A government-backed insurance scheme to allow events to go ahead when it is safe to do so
- Targeted financial support for the sector to protect jobs and infrastructure
LIVE is also working closely with UK Music, as well as other bodies across the music and wider entertainment industry.

Beyond COVID-19, Brexit is now a threat to the future of touring in the EU and the LIVE Touring group is comprised of leading industry experts who are working closely with Government to find a resolution. They are also actively engaged with partner associations across the EU to source the latest and most accurate information regarding how Brexit will affect the live music industry.
As another example of LIVE’s broadening agenda, the LIVE Sustainability group has convened the industry’s leading sustainability practitioners to work in tandem with industry leaders to develop a sector-wide charter and resource.