Featured Image: Martin Olsson on Unsplash
Music Venue Trust (MVT) has signed numerous partnerships with ticketing companies and event organisers over the last few weeks, drumming up support for local and grassroots music venues in the UK.
Skiddle and Swansea Arena announced partnerships with the charity yesterday (Monday), to help venues during a particularly harsh economic period. Skiddle is planning to introduce a 50p ticket levy, with 100% of the proceeds to be donated to the Music Venue Trust’s Pipeline Investment Fund.
The independent ticketing company has also pledged to match all funds raised through the ticket levy, with further plans to offer financial and support packages for grassroots venues. This will include share of booking fees, free localised marketing and more.
“The situation for grassroots music venues is critical. As an independent business within the music industry, we understand the pressures that our grassroots venues are under better than most,” said Duncan King, head of new business at Skiddle.
“The MVT’s pipeline investment fund provides a much-needed lifeline to venues across the country, without which they would be unable to continue operations. Our partnership with the MVT will provide essential funds to keep culture thriving in the UK. This partnership serves as a call to action for the entire music industry. It’s time to stand up and act. We hope to be the catalyst for change across the whole industry.”
Elsewhere, Swansea Arena has announced ‘The Swansea Arena House Party’, an event held in conjunction with MVT, with the aim of raising £20,000 (€23,000/$24,000) for the charity.
The goal is to scale the annual event over the next few years, with tickets available for this year’s edition at £10. All proceeds from ticket sales, as well as additional voluntary donations from yet-to-be announced music events, will contribute to reaching the fundraising target.
MVT has further agreed that the funds raised by Swansea Arena will be primarily focused on music venues within the area.
“The grassroots music scene in Swansea has always had an incredible reputation, and despite the potential barrier of our gold façade, the venues have consistently welcomed us and been open to collaboration. We have been so grateful for this support and have partnered with Music Venue Trust to give back in a meaningful and lasting way,” said Lisa Mart, venue director of the Ambassador Theatre Group-operated Swansea Arena.
“Our goal is to establish a lasting legacy in the city, supporting and nurturing the already thriving local music scene. We aim to see artists progress through our venues, all the way up to the stadium! It’s not just about writing a big cheque (though we hope to do that); it’s about fostering enduring relationships, sharing resources, solving problems, engaging in creative projects, and, most importantly, celebrating our shared love for live music on stages of all sizes, free from the threat of rising costs. We feel really privileged to be part of the Swansea music scene, and this particular focus is a passion project for the whole team.”
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