A fan-led review of live music has been launched by the Culture, Media, and Sport Committee, aimed at “improving the sustainability of the grassroots to safeguard the success of the wider UK music industry”.

The review was one of the recommendations of the previous committee’s report on grassroots music venues, on which we commented here.

According to the announcement on the Committee’s webpage, the review will be undertaken by Lord Brennand of Canton and “bring music lovers together to discuss ideas to protect the industry and ensure it works in the best interests of fans. It will consider the music fan experience, from the provision of live and electronic music through to considerations of safety, examine the sustainability of venues, and explore the barriers to touring faced by emerging artists. It will also look at the effectiveness of existing policies and how different levels of government support live music”.

Separately, the Chair of the Committee, Dame Caroline Dinenage has tabled an amendment to the Planning and Infrastructure Bill that seeks to strengthen the rights of music venues in potential noise disputes with new neighbouring developments.

Under the amendment, existing businesses and facilities would be protected by statute from having unreasonable restrictions placed on them as a result of developments permitted after they were established. As Dame Caroline explained, “small music venues and nightclubs are already under immense pressure and the current planning system is only adding to their burden. Requiring local authorities to properly consider existing venues when approving new developments would be a game-changer. It would help protect the live music ecosystem and give these vital cultural spaces a real chance to survive and thrive”.

More information about the review can be found here.