Breaking away from the norm in today’s live music scene, a band has taken a bold step to ensure that their upcoming UK tour is more budget-friendly and inclusive for fans.
In response to feedback from their audience, the Teesside duo, Benefits, has set a maximum ticket price of £12 and a curfew of 22:00 BST for all stops on their 11-date tour, commencing in April.
This decision comes amidst the ongoing cost of living crisis, impacting both music enthusiasts and venues.
By reducing ticket prices and wrapping up shows earlier, the duo aims to make live music more accessible to a broader audience while also supporting struggling independent venues.
Lead vocalist Kingsley Hall shared that this move was inspired by input from fans following their previous tour.
“It was a successful tour, and we had a great time, but we wanted to know how we could enhance the experience for our fans,” Hall expressed.
“And how could we support the venues, promoters, and everyone involved?”
At a time when concert tickets for major acts can run into the hundreds of pounds, Benefits wanted to ensure their performances remained within reach.
“The primary focus was on affordability amid this ongoing cost of living crisis,” Hall emphasized.
“This meant that we needed to lower our ticket prices.”
Known for their politically charged music and dynamic performances, Benefits stress that their motives are not financially driven. In fact, keyboardist Robbie Major mentioned that touring often results in financial losses.
“We prefer playing to fuller audiences where more people can attend,” Major explained.
While fans struggle to afford concert tickets, venues are also grappling with mounting financial strains, leading to frequent closures. Hall believes that artists have a role to play in finding solutions.
“Much discussion revolves around the financial challenges faced by music venues,” Hall noted.
“Although the burden seems to be on the venues to address their issues, I think as artists, we can contribute our share to assist. It’s crucial for us to investigate and understand the challenges.”
For Benefits, maintaining affordable ticket prices is not just about selling out shows; it is a matter of principle.
“Music should not be considered a luxury,” Hall insisted. “It should be accessible to all. It shouldn’t be reserved for the wealthiest individuals in society.”
According to the Music Venue Trust, which represents grassroots venues, a survey of 800 such venues across the UK in 2024 revealed that 43% operated at a loss.
“The average profit margin was a mere 0.48%, showcasing the delicate balance these venues navigate,” explained the trust’s Sophie Asquith.
“Setting ticket prices at £12 is commendable since Benefits, at this stage of their career, could easily charge more,” Asquith remarked.
“This effort feels significant. Any initiative aimed at enhancing gig accessibility, tackling rising costs, and preventing venue closures should be lauded.”
The trust plans to closely monitor the tour to glean insights for the future, Asquith added
Band Aims to Level Playing Field in Music Industry
In a world where music is just a few clicks away, Band A is taking a stand against the broken system that has left grassroots venues struggling and fans feeling the pinch. Lead singer Hall voices his concerns, stating, “That money isn’t filtering down to the grassroots venues. I’m just concerned that people are being taken for a ride on how much they should pay.”
With a mission to address the flaws in the industry, Band A is pushing back against the trend of free online music downloads. Hall remarks, “People can just go online and get it for free, because that’s broken. It’s affected the live industry, so that’s broken as well. No-one’s playing fair on it. It’s a totally uneven playing field.”
In an effort to combat these challenges, the band has made some controversial decisions, including implementing a 22:00 curfew at their shows to ensure fans can catch the last public transport home. While some venues have been hesitant to comply, Hall emphasizes that their focus is on the people rather than the venues. “It wasn’t easy to get venues to cooperate to get them to close an hour early,” he admits. “But we aren’t about being for the venues anyway – we are for the people.”
Band A’s upcoming tour, which includes stops in cities like Glasgow, Birmingham, and London, will conclude at The Glasshouse in Gateshead in May. Financial arrangements between venues and performers vary, with options ranging from the artist being paid a fee while the venue retains ticket sales, to the promoter paying to hire the space and keeping ticket sale income.
Jo Thornton, director of contemporary music at The Glasshouse, emphasizes the venue’s commitment to making live music accessible to all. “We’d been talking to the agent about a show with Band A for a while,” she explains. “The reasons for wanting a lower ticket price for the show are clear. We’re happy to have a tour date and believe the affordable ticket price and convenient timing will allow more people to come.”
Band A’s efforts to level the playing field in the music industry are resonating with fans and industry insiders alike. By addressing the challenges facing grassroots venues and advocating for fairer practices in the industry, the band is making a powerful statement through both their music and actions.
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