The death of “grassroots” live and electronic music venues in Britain will be the focus of a new review to be conducted by a committee of the U.K. parliament’s House of Commons, unveiled at SXSW London on Wednesday.
The review was announced by Culture, Media and Sport Committee chair Caroline Dinenage at the inaugural London edition of the popular festival. The goals are supporting “a thriving grassroots music scene and building a sustainable talent pipeline that ensures the U.K. music industry remains one of the U.K.’s global success stories.”
A review of the challenges and possible solutions was one of the recommendations highlighted by a committee report on grassroots music venues that was published during the last parliamentary term.
“Encompassing all aspects of live and electronic music, the review will be chaired by Lord Brennan of Canton, … with the aim of bringing music lovers together to discuss ideas and policies to protect the industry and ensure it works in the best interests of fans,” the committee said in a statement. The previous report “amplified concerns by venue operators, touring artists and independent promoters regarding the financial precarity of the grassroots music sector, with venues shutting at the rate of two a week.”
The review will consider “the music fan experience, from the provision of live and electronic music through to considerations of safety, examine the sustainability of venues, and explore the barriers to touring faced by emerging artists,” the committee highlighted. “It will also look at the effectiveness of existing policies and how different levels of government support live music.”
Dinenage, a member of parliament for the Conservative Party, argued that the governing Labour Party needed to do more to support grassroots music. “Despite some headway being made on an industry-led levy to support grassroots music, venues are still shutting their doors at an alarming rate, while the government continues to stick its fingers in its ears when it comes to calls for a fan-led review,” she said. “It’s time to put the power in the hands of those who truly understand and love live and electronic music – the fans, artists, DJs and festival goers, as well as those who work behind the scenes.”
The previous committee report found that of the 148 grassroots music venues lost in 2023, approximately 22 percent closed due to operational issues, such as the revocation of premises licences or unachievable license renewal terms. Around 12 percent shut down due to eviction or redevelopment.
“Small music venues and nightclubs are already under immense pressure, and the current planning system is only adding to their burden,” said Dinenage. “Requiring local authorities to properly consider existing venues when approving new developments would be a game-changer. It would help protect the live music ecosystem and give these vital cultural spaces a real chance to survive and thrive.”