UK Wants To Give Music Fans More Say In Policy Decisions

The UK government has recommended the launch of a government and industry-backed Music Fans Association.

The recommendation for the new body, similar to that representing football (soccer) supporters in the UK, follows an independent review launched by the UK’s Culture, Media and Sport Committee, which engaged with music fans and stakeholders for almost a year, asking them questions aimed at improving the sustainability of grassroots music and safeguarding the success of the wider UK music industry.

The new Music Fan Association would give music lovers greater representation in music policy and decision making.

The UK government now “calls on all those with an interest in the sustainability of live and electronic music to commit to a new Fans’ Charter, which sets out nearly 50 recommendations under seven key principles – or ‘essentials of live’ – of celebration, ticketing, grassroots, safety, accessibility, transport and voice.”

Key recommendations range from those for the Government to implement, such as introducing legislation to ban the resale of tickets above face value, through to practical suggestions aimed at improving the experiences of fans at large and small venues, such as ensuring the provision of drinking water and the availability of ear plugs.

The review also calls for the UK government to embed the ‘agent of change’ principle in planning legislation in England. This would ensure that when new homes are built near music venues the responsibility to ensure that noise is not a problem would fall on the builder rather than the venue.

The review followed the recommendations from the predecessor CMS Committee’s report on grassroots music venues, which amplified concerns by venue operators, touring artists and independent promoters regarding the financial dangers of the grassroots music sector, with venues shutting at the rate of two a week.

The government back then did not take up the recommendation, hence why the current committee asked Lord Brennan to conduct an independent review. It has since taken on the views of thousands of music fans through a national survey which received 4,144 responses, roundtable events across the UK, and information gathered from fans through DIY engagement packs.

The Committee will be holding an evidence session later this year to discuss the review and has urged the Government to respond to its findings, so it doesn’t just peter out like the last review.

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Comments:

Jon Collins, CEO of UK trade body LIVE: “Live music is nothing without the millions of fans who enjoy performances at venues and festivals across the country every week, so it’s fantastic to hear their views reflected in this fan-led review. It’s especially gratifying to see support for grassroots funding initiatives like LIVE Trust which is already having real impact. The strong demand from fans for new laws to finally tackle ticket touts demonstrated in this review should encourage Ministers to ensure legislation is introduced as a matter of urgency.”

Kirsty McShannon, Chair, LIVE Trust: “It’s brilliant that this fan-led review highlights the strength of support from fans for grassroots funding initiatives like the LIVE Trust. The millions generated by tours supporting the LIVE Trust are already funding a wide range of programmes benefitting artists, festivals, venues, promoters, event professionals, and young people building careers in the industry. This funding is raised by the industry and distributed by organisations that understand the grassroots sector, demonstrating the value of an industry-led approach.”

UK Music Chief Executive Tom Kiehl: “Music fans are the lifeblood of our world-leading music industry. The House of Commons Culture Media and Sport Committee, Dame Caroline Dinenage and Lord Brennan of Canton are to hugely be congratulated for their initiative with this innovative inquiry which has rightly given music fans a much bigger voice.

“There are a number of recommendations that UK Music has campaigned for and strongly supports in this detailed review which took evidence from more than 4,000 music fans.

“The report urges the Government to get on with its promised crackdown on the greedy touts who rip off music fans by reselling tickets at exorbitant prices. Action cannot come soon enough and legislative action must be included in next month’s Kings Speech.

“UK Music and our members have campaigned for many years to get the “Agent of Change” principle fully embedded in planning rules to better protect cultural spaces. The Government has a huge opportunity to immediately put this into action by backing amendments recently passed in the House of Lords on the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill that would put it on a statutory basis.

“It’s vital that all music spaces, be it venues, rehearsal rooms and studios, are diverse, safe, accessible and welcoming places that all music fans can enjoy – and the report makes some very welcome recommendations to achieve this.

“We hope the Government will listen to the clarion call from this cross-party review and do everything it can to help grow our live and electronic music sector, the millions of music fans who support them and the 220,000 people who earn their living in the UK music industry.”

Lord Brennan of Canton, who chaired the fan-led review: “Over the last year we’ve given a voice to fans of all different music types and genres from across the country and they’ve told us loud and clear that often they feel neglected and ripped off.

“Sharp commercial practices and impersonal service are now all too prevalent in the music world and point to an industry that fails to treat its fans, the lifeblood of the sector, with respect.

“Our new Fans’ Charter sets out a practical and achievable way ahead that everyone, from ticketing platforms to venues, from artists to promoters, from managers to councils, can sign up to, to help secure the long-term future of live music.

“From establishing a proper representative body to give fans more clout and ending the ticketing rip-off, to improving access for disabled gig goers and venue safety, it’s time for all involved in music to turn the volume dial up to 11 in favour of the fans.”

Dame Caroline Dinenage MP, Chair of the CMS Committee: “For too long, the views of fans have been treated as background noise, despite those that attend gigs, concerts and festivals having an under-valued importance in the UK music scene and a unique insight, including on how to ensure its successful future.

“Today’s recommendations from the independent fan-led review show the potential of putting the power in the hands of those that truly understand and love live and electronic music. We look forward to all those with an interest in securing a sustainable industry engaging with the findings and taking on board the views of the most important people in music.”

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