Robert Glasper took the stage at Hackney Church in London on April 9, 2022. This beautiful performance space is one of the many that the UK's Music Venue Trust is dedicated to protecting with the assistance of live industry partners like Ticketmaster. (Photo by Robin Little/Redferns)

Donation from Ticketmaster

The Music Venue Trust (MVT), a UK charity representing hundreds of grassroots music venues (GMVs), received a generous donation of over £60,000 ($76,000) from Ticketmaster. The funds came from the optional fan donation that ticket buyers could choose when purchasing tickets through Ticketmaster, and Ticketmaster matched every pound donated. This remarkable effort has raised a total of £150,000 ($190,000) to support the future of live music at a grassroots level.The money goes directly into MVT's Pipeline Investment Fund, which plays a crucial role in supporting UK-based GMVs, artists, and promoters. This fund was established in 2022 with the support of members of the Music Venues Alliance and was initially funded by donations from ticket sales of MVT's 'Revive Live' program of gigs around the UK, in partnership with The National Lottery.Since its launch, several other companies and organizations have run initiatives and made donations to the Pipeline Investment Fund. To date, over £5 million ($6.3 million) has been raised and allocated, including over £500,000 ($634,000) into GMV infrastructure.

Annual Report and Impact

The UK Music Venue Trust's Annual Report 2023 reveals a concerning reality - "We Are Losing Two Venues A Week." Andrew Parsons, the managing director of Ticketmaster UK, emphasized their long-standing support for MVT's work. He is proud to have helped raise £60K in 2024 through their annual MVT upsell, where they match every pound donated by fans on their site. This brings the total upsell to £150K in just two years.This initiative is of great significance to Ticketmaster. This year, they have partnered with iconic spaces such as Epic Studios, Hackney Church, Alfies, The Piano Bar, Soul Mama, and Y Plas nightclub. They look forward to supporting these grassroots music venues and many more in the future.Mark Davyd, the CEO of Music Venue Trust, expressed his gratitude. He said, "We are very grateful to Ticketmaster and its customers for their support at a time when this type of initiative is desperately needed. Their recognition that grassroots music venues are struggling just to keep the lights on without these donations and their efforts to make a difference are extremely welcome!"Subscribe to Pollstar HERE to stay updated on the latest in the music industry.