The Featured Artists Coalition (FAC) has revealed a substantial increase in support from the LIVE Trust for the UK Artist Touring (UKAT) fund.
It follows the receipt of an additional £300,000 collected from voluntary ticket contributions at large-scale music events, including shows by Harry Styles, Take That, Wolf Alice, Lorde, Kasabian, Radiohead, Jessie Ware, Basement Jaxx and Duran Duran.
Applications for artists to access this funding will open here this Wednesday, August 26 at 10am – with a deadline for submissions of Friday, September 11.
Launched in partnership with the Music Managers Forum (MMF) and Musicians’ Union (MU) in March 2026, UKAT provides top-up financial support to cover shortfalls in touring budgets in order to address wider economic challenges in the UK’s live music market.
UKAT was designed to help alleviate the cost challenges faced by many touring artists. Opening in March 2026, the fund made its first distributions in April 2026 – with 26 artists across the UK receiving targeted investment from the proceeds of £125,000 collected by the LIVE Trust.
As a result of this initial rapid response intervention, the FAC said 211 shows will take place across the UK that might otherwise have been cancelled.
In UKAT’s second round, artists can now apply for up to a maximum of £8,000 (or up to a maximum of 40% of total eligible tour expenditure, whichever is lower).
In another progression from round one, artists can also apply for a combination of headline, support and festival shows, as well as unconfirmed/tentative show bookings (which must be confirmed prior to the award of funds).
To qualify, tours must have a minimum of three UK headline shows in venues of between 75 and 2,000 capacity. Applicants must provide evidence of a financial shortfall between the costs of delivering these shows and the projected income from guarantees and fees.
At least 75% of dates must be promoter-booked with guarantees, with no more than 25% self-promoted or ‘dry-hire’. Funded shows must be completed by April 30, 2027.
All artists, musicians, managers and crew involved must receive fair and reasonable pay, covering show days, travel days and rehearsal time.
An additional Access Fund is also available to help cover access-related, caring or childcare costs.
Targeted support for artists remains critical, as the most efficient and effective way of addressing challenges faced by the wider grassroots live music sector
David Martin
David Martin, CEO, Featured Artists Coalition, said: “The FAC is incredibly grateful to the LIVE Trust for recognising the initial impact of UKAT, and more than doubling their investment. Targeted support for artists remains critical, as the most efficient and effective way of addressing challenges faced by the wider grassroots live music sector. It is incumbent on the sector to ensure that the maximum value is realised from every single £1 ticket donation.
“While we still expect demand to outstrip supply, I would urge any artists with shows booked or pencilled offers between now and April 2027 to submit an application. It doesn't matter if you're a folk singer, a rapper, a DJ or a death metal band – this fund is open to all genres. By supporting artists to play shows, UKAT can make a positive impact on the entire ecosystem – from session musicians and fans to managers, agents, independent promoters and venues.”
Annabella Coldrick, chief executive, Music Managers Forum, said: “It’s been heartening to see UKAT make a tangible impact, and this additional funding from the LIVE Trust will increase the flow of support to artists and the wider industry. Importantly for the MMF’s community, UKAT funding also means remuneration for music managers, whose hard work behind the scenes on tours frequently goes unrecognised and unpaid.”
Kelly Wood, national organiser for Live, Theatre & Music Writers, Musicians’ Union, said: “The launch of UKAT back in March was a pivotal moment for the live sector, and a huge relief for artists embarking on essential yet ultimately loss-making tours. The extent of the cost-of-touring crisis is such that even well-known artists on sold-out tours can be left out of pocket and scaling back their band and crew in order to keep their shows on the road. As well as reducing those pressures, the fund has also had a demonstrable impact on the wider live music ecosystem. We are delighted this has been recognised by the LIVE Trust and that UKAT has received such a significant increase in support – allowing us to extend these benefits even further.”
The launch of UKAT was a pivotal moment for the live sector, and a huge relief for artists embarking on essential yet ultimately loss-making tours
Kelly Wood
Dame Caroline Dinenage DBE MP, chair, Culture Media and Sport Committee, said: “The Culture, Media and Sport Committee heard directly from artists about the growing cost-of-touring crisis and the pressure it is placing on their ability to continue working. We recommended that a contribution from large-scale live music events should be used to directly support artists further down the pyramid, so it is hugely encouraging to see that recommendation becoming a reality through the LIVE Trust and funds such as the FAC's UK Artist Touring fund.
"With UKAT putting this money directly into the hands of artists, it is helping address the crisis at the foundations of live music while supporting the wider ecosystem of venues, promoters, crews and suppliers that depends on artists being able to tour.”
Jon Collins, CEO LIVE Trust, added: "LIVE Trust is already demonstrating that money raised by the industry can be distributed quickly and effectively in support of programmes across grassroots music. It is fantastic to see the UK Artist Touring fund build on the success of its first distribution phase, with increased funding and expanded eligibility to reach more artists and respond directly to the challenges facing grassroots touring. Like our other partner programmes, working with UKAT shows the value of placing money with industry experts who understand the nuances of their sector."
NEW FUNDING PARTNER
The FAC has also announced a new partnership with the Northern Music Export Office (NMEO), which will increase UKAT support for artists based in in the North East, Tees Valley and West Yorkshire.
It will be coordinated by Generator, the North’s leading music development organisation.
Mick Ross, CEO of Generator, said: “Powered by Generator, the Northern Music Export Office is proud to be partnering with the FAC on the UK Artist Touring Programme. This significant co-investment will help Northern artists reach national audiences, build their live careers and develop the experience and confidence needed to become export-ready. Talent is everywhere, but opportunity is not – programmes like this help ensure that artists from the North have the support and pathways they need to build successful careers at home and internationally.”
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