A new one per cent levy could be applied to gig tickets to help a city’s grassroots music scene survive.<\/p>\n
The levy would mean every gig ticket purchased in Bristol could have an extra percentage cost, like a booking fee, paid by the customer, that goes to a specific fund or purpose.<\/p>\n
Bristol City Council will decide if a 1% levy will be added in the city, which would be collected into a central pot, generating an estimated \u00a3400,000 to \u00a31m every year.<\/p>\n
Carly Heath, the council’s night-time economy adviser, said: “There is chronic underinvestment in the music sector, particularly at that grassroots level, not just in Bristol but nationally.”<\/p>\n
She added: “Grassroots venues nurture music talent, they bring communities together and they provide the gathering spaces where people can come and celebrate and bathe in joy.”<\/p>\n
Councillors on the economy and skills policy committee gave the go-ahead for preparations on Monday. This will see a new Community Benefit Society set up, which will manage the Bristol Music Fund.<\/p>\n
The funding could pay for various costs, like venues improving soundproofing or accessibility, events during the week and performers better rates.<\/p>\n
In Bristol, 78% of events happen in venues that are under 1,000 capacity.<\/p>\n
According to Ms Heath, the majority of the city’s venue estate is technically “grassroots”, but she added that these generate only 32% of the annual ticketing revenue that the city receives.<\/p>\n
“It’s easy to see where the disparity is on who’s doing the lion’s share of the work in creating an incredible music scene and underpinning Bristol’s reputation, but receiving a really small proportion of the revenue that the city generates,” she said.<\/p>\n
The UK Beatbox championship took place in Bristol on Saturday and Sunday [Sarah Ginn]<\/p>\n
Last year, 16% of grassroots venues across the country closed, due to a mix of rising costs and limited access to public funds.<\/p>\n
The Bristol Music Fund could also support artists to create and develop music.<\/p>\n
Money would go towards skills and training and ensuring there are “meaningful career pathways” for staff working in the industry.<\/p>\n
A recent survey of 500 gig-goers found that most would support paying an extra 1% on their concert tickets.<\/p>\n
Green Councillor Cam Hayward said: “I think it’s a brilliant proposal. It’s not just about supporting venues but artists as well.”<\/p>\n
Venues can volunteer to charge the levy, providing the opportunity to opt out, but customers would have to pay the extra 1% if the venue charged it.<\/p>\n
The Community Benefit Society would be owned and governed by representatives of different parts of the music industry.<\/p>\n
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