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UK touring fund gets £300,000 boost
The UK Artist Touring (UKAT) fund is set to expand its support for UK artists after receiving an additional £300,000 from the LIVE Trust, more than doubling the funding available for the programme.
The new funding comes from voluntary ticket contributions collected at large-scale live music events, including concerts by Harry Styles, Take That, Wolf Alice, Lorde, Kasabian, Radiohead, Jessie Ware, Basement Jaxx and Duran Duran.
Applications for the latest round will open on 26 August, with a deadline of 11 September.
UKAT expands after first funding round
UKAT was launched in March 2026 by the Featured Artists Coalition (FAC), in partnership with the Music Managers Forum (MMF) and Musicians’ Union (MU). The fund is designed to help artists cover financial shortfalls when touring small and medium-sized UK venues.
The first funding round distributed £125,000 provided by the LIVE Trust to 26 artists. According to the FAC, the support helped secure 211 UK shows that might otherwise have been cancelled.
Artists can apply for up to £8,000
For the second round, artists can apply for up to £8,000, or a maximum of 40% of eligible touring expenditure, whichever is lower.
Eligibility has also been broadened to allow applications covering a combination of headline, support and festival appearances, as well as tentative bookings that are confirmed before funding is awarded.
To qualify, tours must include at least three UK headline shows at venues with capacities between 75 and 2,000. Applicants must demonstrate a financial shortfall, while at least 75% of dates must be promoter-booked with guarantees. Funded shows must take place by 30 April 2027.
The programme also requires artists, musicians, managers and crew involved in supported tours to receive what organisers describe as fair and reasonable pay. A separate Access Fund is available for access-related, caring and childcare costs.
FAC highlights pressure on grassroots touring
David Martin, CEO of the Featured Artists Coalition, said the increased support demonstrated the importance of directing funding towards artists.
“The FAC is incredibly grateful to the LIVE Trust for recognising the initial impact of UKAT, and more than doubling their investment,” Martin said. “Targeted support for artists remains critical, as the most efficient and effective way of addressing challenges faced by the wider grassroots live music sector.”
Annabella Coldrick, chief executive of the Music Managers Forum, said the additional funding would benefit both artists and the wider touring economy, including managers whose work on developing tours is frequently unpaid.
Kelly Wood, national organiser for Live, Theatre & Music Writers at the Musicians’ Union, said rising touring costs were affecting artists at different levels of the market, including established acts playing sold-out tours.
LIVE Trust points to industry-funded support
LIVE Trust CEO Jon Collins said the programme showed how money collected by the industry could be distributed quickly to grassroots music initiatives.
“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,” Collins said.
Northern partnership extends reach
UKAT is also expanding through a new partnership with the Northern Music Export Office (NMEO), coordinated by music development organisation Generator. The partnership will provide additional support for artists based in the North East, Tees Valley and West Yorkshire.
Generator CEO Mick Ross said the co-investment would help northern artists develop their live careers, reach national audiences and build towards international opportunities.