The Musicians’ Union (MU) and the Featured Artists Coalition (FAC) are the UK trade union and the trade body that represent artists and performers. 

We are publishing this open letter calling on government and the music industry to ensure artists are directly supported in any mechanism aimed at supporting the UK grassroots sector.  Artists have been shut out of other funding routes designed to support the music industry, despite being the sector's largest employers.  

Artists are facing a cost of touring crisis, the impact of which should be of grave concern to the live sector and the wider music industry. 

Given this situation, we welcomed the Culture, Media & Sport Select Committee’s inquiry into grassroots music venues.  As made clear by the work of bodies such as Music Venues Trust (MVT), grassroots venues have faced a challenging economic environment.  Our organisations recognised that challenge and support the measures and funds that have been implemented to ensure that venues are viable during an acute period of pressure.

However, just supporting venues in itself will not save grassroots music.

We must enable artists to tour.

Read the open letter here.

#SupportingArtists