Music Venue Trust and Music Planet Live have announced a major new partnership to reinvigorate and diversify the grassroots music scene in the UK. Fightback: Grassroots Promoter is a £100,000 intervention aimed at young women who are passionate about live music and want to learn the skills to become an independent promoter.
FB: GP will make £100,000 in subsidy guarantees available to underwrite 100 Fightback fundraising shows at Grassroots Music Venues promoted by the next generation of young, female, independent promoters
Under 25s who want to promote a show are often put off by the risk or the lack of information about who to speak to, how to get the best deal, or what connections they need. At the same time, Grassroots Music Venues are crying out for new young promoters with fresh ideas. Add into that mix, a lack of diversity in the music industry and it adds up to a series of barriers to young women taking up promoting and adding their unique voice and ideas to the grassroots scene.
MVT and MPL want to change all that with a specific initiative aimed at enabling 100 young female promoters to put on a show at their local Music Venues Alliance member Grassroots Music Venue. FB: GP offers a no-risk financial entry point for young women to take their first step in promoting or develop their promoting skills.
Beverley Whitrick of MVT says: “We want to make a big change to the independent promoter scene in the UK, enabling 100 young women to take a chance on promoting a show they believe in. With their support, we are not only going to raise money for Music Venue Trust, we are going to start the process of identifying the next wave of fantastic new independent promoters and tackle head-on diversity in this sector. There’s not enough female promoters working in grassroots music venues, and we’re going to change that.”
MVT Toolkit:
MVT will supply a toolkit and the contacts these young women need to put on a show. The scheme will match each young promoter with music industry experts who have experience of every aspect of delivering a successful event, professionals who will mentor them through the process. The package of support includes:
- A Gig-In-A-Box – everything you need to know about how to book, manage and promote a show
- Support from local Grassroots Music Venues, with leading promoters and music industry professional acting as mentors
A national campaign that supports a local event
Music Planet Live will underwrite the costs on each show to a total value of £1000, giving young promoters the chance to focus on getting it right, creating a great event, and getting the crowd needed without just worrying about the money. Participants in the programme can apply for up to £500 in cash up front to cover any deposits, promotional costs, catering etc. At the end of the show, MVT will create a financial settlement and settle all subsidies and costs. Profits from Fightback shows directly help to keep venues open through the Emergency Response service, bringing an ethical edge to this initiative.
We have created a vigorous process of enrolment and checks along the way to ensure this programme succeeds and that young people get the most from it. We have a major marketing campaign lined up to support the project. We need your help to ensure it succeeds.
How people can get involved
We want to build a coalition of partners to support this initiative:
Local and National Promoters:
50 established promoters drawn from across the industry at all levels and prepared to mentor young people.
Minimum level of commitment required: You will mentor two individuals, providing up to 2 hours of phone or meeting consultation to each as required, supporting the creation of a plan, and providing basic feedback by email. We particularly want to identify role models; successful female promoters. Use of your logo on promotional materials. Supporting quote from a nominated mentor.
Educational Organisations:
Support from educational partners working in music industry courses to identify 100 young women who can support them to make the most of this opportunity.
Minimum level of commitment: Promoting the opportunity to students, specifically identifying young women who have a special interest in working in the live music industry. Supporting students to bring together a coherent plan, including making introductions to experienced industry professionals with relevant skills. Supporting the actual shows themselves so that students have a good chance of delivering a successful event. Use of your logo on promotional materials.
Other Industry Bodies:
They want this initiative to be supported right across the industry and invite you to bring them your own ideas or propose additionality, including financial support.
Minimum level of commitment: Quote in support of the initiative. Use of your social media to promote the opportunity. Support for individual shows where appropriate. Use of logos on promotional materials.
