Artists who can't to tour invited to apply for latest in £300k funding: "An even bigger step to making live music more inclusive"

The first notes of a new tour rang out in a cramped rehearsal space in London, the kind of space where a handful of musicians huddle around a battered piano and a battered guitar, hoping that the next gig will be the one that lifts them out of the financial tight‑rope. The band, still unnamed in the source, had just received a call that would change the trajectory of their season: an invitation to apply for the second round of the Featured Artists Coalition’s UKAT fund. The offer promised up to £8,000 to help cover the gaps in touring budgets, a lifeline that could mean the difference between a sold‑out show and a postponed one.

In March, the FAC, together with the Music Managers Forum and the Musicians’ Union, launched the first phase of the UKAT fund. The money came from a voluntary ticket levy paid by some of the biggest names in the industry, Harry Styles, Radiohead, Lorde, Kasabian, Wolf Alice, and others. The levy was collected by the LIVE Trust and distributed to artists and venues that were struggling to survive the cost of touring crisis. The first round, worth £125,000, managed to fund 26 artists, 211 shows and an audience reach of 60,000. The economic activity it unlocked was described as “massive,” and the model of providing a “top‑up” to existing touring budgets proved that it could work.

Phase two expands the pool to £300,000 and raises the ceiling for individual grants to £8,000 or 40 % of a tour’s eligible expenditure, whichever is lower. Artists can now include unconfirmed or tentative bookings in their applications, provided they are confirmed before the award is granted. This flexibility is crucial for those who have to risk a loss to play, a risk that many working‑class musicians cannot afford. The fund is not a cure-all, but it is a significant step toward making live music more inclusive.

Consider a mid‑level indie band that plans a 12‑show tour across the UK. If the total eligible expenditure is £20,000, the maximum grant they can receive is £8,000. That covers 40 % of the costs, leaving the band to cover the rest through ticket sales, sponsorships, or personal investment. For a smaller act with a budget of £10,000, the grant could be £4,000, still a substantial boost that could allow them to book a venue that would otherwise be out of reach.

When the FAC CEO, David Martin, spoke about the first phase, he acknowledged the uncertainty that came with launching a new model. “We were very happy with what we accomplished in phase one, given that we entered into the great unknown with the concept,” he said. The fact that the fund could be scaled up shows that the industry is willing to pay a small price for the survival of its grassroots. The levy, funded by high‑profile artists, is a tangible example of the top‑tier musicians stepping back to support the ecosystem that feeds them.

Artists have until 11:59 pm on Sunday, September 13 to submit their proposals. The application process is straightforward: outline the tour dates, budget, and how the grant will be used. The fund’s goal is not to eliminate the touring crisis but to provide a safety net that encourages more artists to take the road, especially those who might otherwise stay home because the financial risk is too great.

The expansion of the UKAT fund signals a shift in how the UK music industry thinks about touring. By turning a voluntary levy into a concrete source of capital, the FAC is proving that inclusive funding models can be both sustainable and scalable. For the musicians who will benefit, the grant is more than money; it is a statement that their art matters enough to be backed by the very stars who inspire them. As the deadline approaches, the next wave of touring hopefuls will decide whether this lifeline will become the bridge that carries them from rehearsal rooms to sold‑out venues.