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A Lifeline for Indie Venues: Can a New Tax on Arena and Stadium Concert Tickets Save the U.K.'s Grassroots Circuit?

The article from Variety discusses the growing tension between independent music venues and major arena concert ticket sales, particularly focusing on the impact of ticket levies. Independent venues are facing financial strain due to the dominance of large-scale arena tours, which often come with high ticket prices and additional fees. These venues argue that a small levy on arena concert tickets could help subsidize smaller, grassroots music venues that are crucial for nurturing new talent. The levy, proposed to be around 25p to £1 per ticket, aims to create a fund to support indie venues struggling with rising costs and competition from larger, more financially robust arenas. The article highlights the disparity in resources, with grassroots venues often operating on thin margins and facing closure, while arena tours generate significant revenue. This initiative has sparked debate about fairness in the music industry, with some seeing it as a necessary lifeline for indie venues, while others view it as an unfair tax on concert-goers.

Read the Full Variety Article at:
[ https://variety.com/2025/music/global/indie-venues-levy-arena-concert-tickets-1236327834/ ]