Electronic Music Sector Unites to Demand Action At Landmark Parliamentary Committee Event 15 May 2025
- On 14 May, the UK’s electronic music industry delivered an unprecedented show of unity and urgency as sector leaders from artists to club owners came together to meet with Parliament’s Culture Committee.
- The sector called unequivocally for Government action to prevent the unsustainable losses of venues and future of club and electronic music culture itself.
- The roundtables were held in the 15,000 capacity DRUMSHEDS venue, previously an IKEA, showcasing the talent pipeline for electronic music, fed through the grassroots spaces under threat, and demand recognition of the culture.
- Led by the Night Time Industries Association (NTIA), the leading trade organisation for nightlife culture and clubs, the discussions placed the spotlight firmly on the cultural, social and economic value of electronic music — and the crisis now threatening its infrastructure.
- Recognising nightclubs and venues as vital cultural and community institutions.
- Proportionate approach tax and business rates for grassroots venues, on par with other similar cultural, heritage and community spaces.
- Reforming licensing and planning frameworks to support contemporary cultural spaces, and preventing noise complaints shutting long-standing community hubs.
- Embedding nightlife and electronic music’s value in national cultural policy, including through direct and regular engagement.
“Electronic music and club culture are core to our nation’s culture, identity, sense of community, and local economies. Today’s sessions made that abundantly clear.
“Today was a crucial moment for electronic music and nightlife culture in the UK. The scale of the challenges - and opportunities - laid bare in the roundtables leaves no doubt in the Committee’s minds about the need for urgent intervention.
“Today’s roundtables at Drumsheds, in partnership with the NTIA, made one thing clear: the electronic music sector is delivering huge cultural and economic value but doing so under immense strain. Operators from across the UK spoke candidly about the red tape, licensing challenges, unsustainable costs, and outdated policy holding the sector back.
Creative Artists Agency (CAA) Artist Manager Maria May said:
“Today was a moment to imagine how much more revenue we could drive through the UK economy if the Government recognised, acknowledged and supported the cultural and financial value of electronic music to the UK economy and global reputation.
“Today was a moment to imagine that with their support we could actually do that. I am positive that after today’s roundtables it will be the first of many interactions with the Culture Committee, and responsible Ministers, tasked with developing and supporting creative industries, culture and electronic music in the UK so it can survive and thrive.”
Sarah McBriar, AVA Festival, added:
“There are vast, untapped opportunities within the UK’s nighttime economy—particularly in the creative and cultural potential of electronic DJs, producers, and the broader ecosystem that supports them. The prominence of electronic music in major institutions such as Tate Modern, the British Museum, Glastonbury Festival, and countless other events across the country highlights its cultural significance.
“Despite this, electronic music still lacks the recognition it deserves at the governmental level as a serious cultural and economic force. With greater support instigated today by the task force, and a shift in perception, the sector could flourish—nurturing talent, creating jobs, fostering a safer nighttime economy, and unlocking its full potential."
“Today's meeting was an incredible opportunity for some of the UK operators pioneering electronic music culture.
It did feel like everyone was on tenderhooks as the extremely challenging navigations of running spaces in today's climate highlighted. Huge inconsistencies in different local boroughs' approaches, archaic red tape via licensing and planning, alongside spiralling costs in pretty much every aspect of our business. It is indeed very tough times out there.”
Andrea Faith - artist operations manager and producer
“It’s a challenge to exist right now, when operating costs and national insurance are impacting festivals and night life. It’s equally as important to be, GALA’s financial contribution to the local economy, and being able to curate a lineup and celebrate ten years.
It’s great to come to see so many people in the industry come, including competitors and suppliers to discuss the rightful place electronic music had in culture. Electronic music is culture.”
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THE HEADLINES
Data (Use and Access) Bill passes without amendment (see News)
Has the time finally come for metered music experiences? (see Opinion)
What moves the needle for artists in 2025? (see Features)
Tributes pour in for Brian Wilson (see News, Features, Showbiz&News)
These touts made millions - and claimed staff at big ticketing firms helped (see Features)
Billboard names its Independent Power Players (see Features)
New report highlights emergence of a two-tier music streaming market favouring scale over diversity and flags need for urgent action (see Reports)
Ministers’ silence on threats to our creatives is bewildering (see News)
Sony Music Publishing set to acquire Hipgnosis Songs Group (see Business)
Manchester's Co-op Live to host the BRIT Awards (see News)
Elliot Grainge has breathed new life into Atlantic Records (see Features)
BPI CEO addressed the SXSW London conference (see News)
Elton John slams Labour over the AI act (see Opinion)
Jim King's 30-year reign (see Features)
TikTok launches TikTok for Artists (see Digital)
Culture secretary Lisa Nandy talks AI policies and regulation (see News)
A study from ICMP on music publishing revenues shows that digital now dominates (see Reports)
Majors in talks to license music to AI firms Udio, Suno (see News)
Taylor Swift has bought back rights to her master recordings, a win for her but also a potentially major win for the industry (see Features)
UK music business power players: 2025 list revealed (see Reports)