The Culture, Media and Sport Committee has published its independent ‘Fan-led Review of Live and Electronic Music’, making recommendations on how to improve the sustainability of grassroots live and electronic music and safeguard the success of the wider UK music industry.

The review was one of the recommendations of the previous incarnation of the Committee in its report on Grassroots Music Venues (discussed here). Drawing inspiration from a similar review of football governance (which ultimately led to the creation of the Independent Football Regulator), the Committee had urged the Government to conduct such a review to address a crisis affecting “an entire ecosystem of professionals, many of whom are under extraordinary strain to remain viable in the current climate”. While the Government rejected such calls, the Committee pressed ahead and commissioned its own review, chaired by Lord Brennan of Canton.

The review includes close to 50 recommendations, together with seven ‘essentials’ including ticketing, safety, and accessibility which those in the industry are encouraged to pledge to support and improve as part of a ‘Fan-led Charter’. Key recommendations include the following:

• The Competition and Markets Authority should “monitor the position that big corporations hold in the UK’s live music industry, ensuring it is not detrimental to the fans”;
• The Information Commissioner’s Office should “provide clarity around the sharing of fan data and issue relevant guidance for the live music industry as to the safe and transparent use of that data”;
• Legislation should be introduced to ban the resale of tickets above face value “without delay and ensure it is robustly enforced”;
• The Government should “strengthen consumer protections by requiring clear, upfront information on refund policies and suitable insurance options at the point of ticket sale on online platforms”;
• The Government should reserve powers to “introduce a mandatory levy on larger events to redistribute resources to grassroots venues, festivals, promoters and emerging artists should the voluntary approach prove inadequate”;
• The Government and music industry should establish and fund a ‘Music Fans Association’ (MSA) to “enable greater fan representation in music policy, consumer rights, and decision making”.

Commenting on the publication of the report, the Chair of the Culture, Media, and Sport Committee, Dame Caroline Dinenage, said:

“Today’s recommendations from the independent fan-led review show the potential of putting the power in the hands of those that truly understand and love live and electronic music.  We look forward to all those with an interest in securing a sustainable industry engaging with the findings and taking on board the views of the most important people in music. The Committee will be holding an evidence session later this year with Lord Brennan to discuss the review and has urged the Government to respond to its findings”.

To read the report in full, click here.