Overview

• Matty Healy has warned that the disappearance of small venues would erase the foundations that produced acts like The Smiths and The 1975.
• The Seed Sounds Weekender is confirmed for September 26–28 with more than 2,000 gigs in over 1,000 venues across 20 UK towns and cities.
• Event organisers have partnered with Uber to offer discounted rides and plan free tickets for most gigs to increase attendance.
• Grassroots venues have declined by 38% since 2007, and Music Venue Trust data show that in 2023, operational failures shuttered 22.4% of venues while 42.1% reported financial distress.
• The £85 million Creative Foundations Fund is now available to support venues, but campaigners say a mandatory ticket levy and business-rate relief are still needed to ensure long-term viability.