The FAC is delighted to announce the first beneficiaries of our UK Artist Touring Fund (UKAT fund) with 26 artists from across the UK receiving targeted investment from the proceeds of £125,000 collected by the LIVE Trust as part of a voluntary ticket contribution donated from arena and stadium shows.

Collectively, this initial distribution will provide top-up support for 211 shows taking place at grassroots and mid-sized venues before October 31st.

Launched in March 2026 and developed in partnership with the Music Managers Forum (MMF) and the Musicians’ Union (MU) the UKAT fund was established to help alleviate the “cost of touring crisis” facing artists performing in small and mid-sized venues.

Phase One of the fund was a limited round, designed to provide strategic “top-up” contributions of up to £7,000 to help plug these shortfalls - helping artists reduce financial risk, build new audiences and develop careers, while ensuring those in the supply chain are paid fairly and tour safely.

For this initial “rapid response” distribution, applications were limited to UK tours consisting of at least three headline shows, to enable the testing and analysis of processes.

Even with strict entry criteria, more than 250 applications were received from artists operating in a wide variety of genres, before being reviewed by a panel of industry experts.

In total, the overall applications received demonstrated artists facing an overall financial shortfall totalling £2.3m, with UKAT able to fulfil just 5% of this amount.

All those who applied highlighted that the costs incurred to perform live were not covered by fees - with the majority having to cut corners, compromise drastically on show costs, and rely on merchandise sales to minimise losses.

The 26 artists to be awarded “Phase One” UKAT funding are:

Belle Chen

Bonfire Radicals

Brown Horse

Chris Brain

deary

Demob Happy

Donae’O

Duke Special

Ego Ella May

Elephant Sessions

Eleni Drake

Emily Portman & Friends

Gwilym Gold

Hollie Cook

Imogen and the Knife

Jim Ghedi

Lake Malice

Man/Woman/Chainsaw

MEMORIALS

NOAHFINNCE

Oslo Twins

Puma Blue

Tom Waters Band ft Geoff Achison

TRIP

V.I.C

Wax Head

Additional support has also been provided to those with access-related, caring or childcare costs, recognising that a career in live music is often limited for artists who have additional access considerations.

Although the FAC is pleased to support such a wide range of artists, we acknowledge much more must be done to ensure future distributions reach the full diversity of UK talent and in all regions of the country.

David Martin, CEO, Featured Artists Coalition:

“Having opened Phase One of UKAT about six weeks ago, the response has been overwhelming. We’ve been inundated with applications, and I’m incredibly proud we’ve been able to move so quickly and distribute this money to where it’s most needed. It’s been an incredible team effort, and the support from the MMF, the MU and Arts Council has been invaluable.

“Today’s announcement demonstrates perfectly the impact that the LIVE Trust is making, and I hope the progress we’re making with UKAT encourages more in the industry to contribute to their work. The FAC maintains that progressive and targeted investment into artists is the most effective way of addressing the cost of touring crisis and encouraging more economic activity across the live sector.

“As well as supporting these 26 brilliant artists, UKAT’s model will ultimately benefit the entire ecosystem, from backing musicians and managers, through to promoters, agents and venues.

“Going forward, our ambition is now to accelerate and evolve the fund. We want to help even more artists from all genres, backgrounds and regions, and ensure UKAT becomes a permanent and constantly-rolling support programme.”

Creative Industries Minister Ian Murray said:

"This fund is exactly the kind of industry-led solution that can make a real difference to artists. Touring has always been how talent is discovered and audiences are built, and thanks to the funding, these artists will now have the chance to flourish.

"I'd encourage every arena, stadium, artist, promoter and ticketing company that hasn't yet signed up to the voluntary contribution to look at what this fund has already achieved and step up to support it.”

Jon Collins, CEO of the LIVE Trust

“The LIVE Trust was established to protect, expand, and support the grassroots music ecosystem, including artists, across the UK. We’ve received strong industry backing since launch, and we’re already distributing money back to those keeping artists touring, festivals trading, venues open, and those involved in the promoting and staging of live music performances.

“The UKAT Fund is a powerful example of this in action, delivering investment to talented artists impacted by the current challenges in grassroots touring. The Fund is enabling artists to tour in the way they want and gives audiences in towns and cities across the UK the chance to see shows that would otherwise have not been possible.”

Annabella Coldrick, Chief Executive, Music Managers Forum

“It’s so exciting to get this first round of funding out the door. Overwhelmingly our members tell us that they want to see their artists touring but it’s so tough and both the artists and managers go unpaid for their work on tour. UKAT flips the script and ensures everyone on a tour is remunerated for their time. I look forward to the future rounds and this becoming the norm for grassroots touring in the UK, helping artists grow audiences and make artists, and managers, careers sustainable”.

Kelly Wood, National Organiser Live Theatre & Music Writers, Musicians' Union

“We're delighted to see these first Phase One distributions through the UKAT fund. The diversity and volume of applications has been overwhelming, and it’s self-evident that the economics of live touring are forcing artists to make creative compromises with their shows and scale back on line-ups. This situation is severely impacting session musicians, and particularly those from lower socio-economic backgrounds. The MU believes UKAT can help alleviate some of this financial uncertainty and ensure that the UK's touring networks and stages are accessible to all.

“There is much more to do, but we're also incredibly grateful to the LIVE Trust, without whom none of this would be possible, and to those MU members who have supported a £1 ticket contribution at their arena and stadium shows and displayed such solidarity with fellow artists working across smaller venues.”

211 tour dates from 26 artists supported in Phase One of the FAC's UK Artist Touring fund