The Latest Breaking News from MVT

The heart of Aberystwyth’s independent music scene lies in a 200-year-old bank vault

Partnering with the Music Venue Trust this summer and autumn, The Independent is highlighting the UK’s most interesting grassroots music venues – and the people fighting to keep them running

The Independent UK · Sep 21

‘It’s more than backcombing a beehive!’ How tribute acts got massive – and put the live music scene back in the black

Versions of Amy Winehouse and hundreds of other musicians are generating millions for beleaguered UK venues. But what is the emotional toll for the imitators, and are they pushing out original artists?

The Guardian - UK · Jul 24

‘This keeps the dream alive’: the bands sleeping at venues to make touring work

A new UK scheme is encouraging venues to provide accommodation for touring acts. But what if someone hurls a TV through a window?

The Guardian - UK · May 19

“This sector has done all it can to keep music live in our communities, it now needs permanent protection”: Annual Music Venue Trust report reveals sector is “fragile” and “one shock away from a crisis”

CEO calls on government to make grassroots levy mandatory

MusicRadar · Jan 21

Wednesday briefing: ​Can we afford to be optimistic about grassroots music venues?

In today’s newsletter: ​M​usic spaces are welcoming bigger crowds again, ​b​ut the industry remain​s fragile as rising costs and shrinking local circuits threaten the next generation of talent

The Guardian - UK · Jan 21

UK grassroots music venues show lowest decline since 2018 as sector stabilises post-pandemic

The number of small venues shrank by just nine in 2025, but more than half of them reported making no profit, while employment in the sector dropped almost 22%

The Guardian - UK · Jan 21

More than half of grassroots music venues did not make money in 2025 – charity

The Music Venue Trust found that despite contributing over half a billion pounds to the UK economy, grassroots music venues in the UK are struggling.

Evening Standard · Jan 21

London’s O2 Arena announces funding for UK grassroots gig venues

The 20,000-capacity venue will feed revenue back into smaller venues to ‘nurture the next generation of breakthrough artists’

The Guardian - UK · Dec 9, 2025

“An incredible gesture, demonstrating once again that artists absolutely understand how vital grassroots music venues are to their careers and to their communities”: Sam Fender to donate his Mercury winnings to the Music Venue Trust

Singer songwriter had already raised £100,000 on his 2024 arena tour

MusicRadar · Nov 11, 2025

Sam Fender donates £25,000 Mercury Prize winnings to grassroots venues

Sam Fender is giving his entire Mercury Prize winnings to the Music Venue Trust (MVT).

BANG Premier · Nov 11, 2025