Photo Credit: RDNE Stock project
A major new funding initiative aimed at strengthening the UK’s grassroots live music ecosystem is now accepting applications, offering financial support to independent venues, promoters, artists and touring professionals facing mounting economic pressures.
The Liveline Fund, launched by the Music Venue Trust (MVT) in partnership with Save Our Scene (SOS) and the Association of Independent Promoters (AIP), officially opened applications this week. The scheme is designed to reduce the financial risks associated with staging grassroots live events while encouraging more touring and local music programming across the UK.
The fund is divided into four distinct programmes, each targeting a different challenge facing the live music sector:
Guarantorship Scheme – Underwrites up to 80% of financial losses on eligible shows, giving promoters, venues and artists greater confidence to book performances.
Tour Extension & Regional Access Fund – Helps cover additional travel and accommodation costs, enabling tours to reach regions that are often skipped because of rising expenses.
Local Scene Development Fund – Supports regular venue programming by covering venue hire costs and promoter development, helping to build sustainable local music communities.
Genre Specific Safety and Access Fund – Provides additional support for genres, scenes and communities that face higher operating costs or additional barriers when organising events.
The latest funding round has been made possible through the LIVE Trust alongside contributions generated by the grassroots ticket levy, including Coldplay’s donation of 10% of proceeds from the band’s 2025 UK tour. The Liveline Fund builds on previous initiatives that have already supported independent venues through donations from major touring artists.
Eligible applicants include grassroots music venues, independent promoters, in-house venue programmers, artist managers, booking agents and artists planning sustainable tours or live events. Applications for this funding round close on 18 August 2026.
