UK artist touring fund launches with £125,000 from arena shows

The UK Artist Touring Fund (UKAT), established by FAC in partnership with the Music Managers Forum (MMF) and the Musicians’ Union (MU), is designed to address what the organisations describe as a “cost of touring crisis” for artists playing smaller venues.

The fund will initially distribute £125,000 collected by the LIVE Trust. This money comes from a voluntary £1 contribution added to tickets for arena and stadium shows from a roster of major artists. The fund aims to provide strategic “top-up” contributions to cover financial shortfalls for artists who find that tour costs—including travel, accommodation and personnel—are not being met by ticket sales or guarantees.

David Martin, CEO of the FAC, says that the scheme was a direct response to financial pressures that are undermining the live circuit. “Live music is the absolute bedrock of the UK’s vibrant music culture,” he explains. “We have some of the world’s greatest venues, clubs and festivals, we have amazing audiences - and yet too many of our artists face debilitating financial losses when they head out on tour.”

The move follows a 2024 parliamentary report by the Culture Media & Sport Committee, which highlighted the specific economic challenges facing artists and musicians. The FAC notes that while artists are the primary talent drawing audiences, they are also the biggest employers in the live sector, often shouldering significant financial burdens.

The initial phase of the fund is open to UK-based artists performing headline tours in venues with capacities between 75 and 2,000. To qualify, tours must include a minimum of three UK shows, the majority of which must be promoter-booked with guarantees. Crucially, applicants must demonstrate a genuine financial shortfall between the costs of delivering the shows and the projected income.

Artists can apply for up to £7,000, or a maximum of 40% of total eligible tour expenditure—whichever is lower. The funding comes with stipulations that all artists, musicians, managers and crew receive fair pay for show days, travel days and rehearsal time. An additional Access Fund is available to cover caring or childcare costs.

David Rowntree, Chair of the FAC and drummer for Blur, highlighted the significance of the funding model. “Because of the LIVE Trust, we now have a system where revenue can flow from some of the UK's largest shows towards some of the smallest,” he said. “That's a wonderful thing, and something I think most music fans will support - especially if it means helping a new generation of artists.”

Applications are encouraged from artists of all genres, including solo acts, bands and DJs, who have released new original music in the last three years and are over 18.

Submissions for this initial round must be received by 23.59pm on Friday 20 March.