Government sets out £45m UK music plan

In music news, artists, music businesses and live venues are set to receive new funding and regulatory support under a long term government strategy.

Turn It Up: Our Plan for Music includes a £15 million increase for the Music Growth Package, taking its total value to £45 million over three years.

The package is expected to support more than 2,000 projects and at least 40,000 artists and music professionals. Funding will also be opened to mid career artists, band managers, record labels and publishers.

Michael Dugher, the former chief executive of UK Music, has been appointed as the Government’s first Music Champion. The year long unpaid role will involve representing the industry and strengthening communication between music organisations and government.

Michael said the role would help increase the reach of the plan and identify further opportunities to support the sector.

A further £12.5 million will fund music facilities in libraries across England, including recording booths, studio spaces, mixing desks and equipment. The initiative will be developed with the Ed Sheeran Foundation and other partners.

The Government is also planning changes to event licensing. Venues and organisers will be permitted to use up to 20 Temporary Event Notices each year, covering a total of 26 event days.

New festivals and outdoor events are expected to receive minimum three year licences, while existing events could be offered agreements lasting at least five years.

Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said: “Music is far more than entertainment. On dancefloors, in theatres and in stadiums, it brings thousands of individual voices together.”

UK Music chief executive Tom Kiehl welcomed the strategy, saying it had arrived as the industry faced challenges involving artificial intelligence, overseas touring, music spaces, freelancers and music education.