London’s O2 Arena will donate ‘significant’ funds to grassroots music venues

London’s O2 Arena has partnered with the Music Venue Trust (MVT) to invest in grassroots music venues and recognise the role of small venues as a vital part of the music ecosystem. 

Under a three-year commitment, the scheme will see the 20,000-capacity arena make a direct donation to the MVT every time it hosts a new headliner, kickstarted by a six-figure upfront donation recognising the history of the grassroots music venues.

According to the MVT, 35% of music venues in the UK have closed in the last 20 years, with 86 closing their doors in 2024 alone. Alongside its campaigns for increased funding for Grassroots Music Venues (GMVs), the MVT has this year raised £1.5 million for their Music Venue Properties campaign, putting grassroots venues into community ownership.

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The initiative recognises the importance of a sustainable pipeline for young performers, noting figures like Gracie Abrams, Pulp, Architects and Wolf Alice, who first cut their teeth in grassroots venues, and have headlined the O2 for the first time within the last year.

Mark Davyd, CEO of the Music Venue Trust, said: ​“The success of our arenas is directly connected to the health of the grassroots venues where so many of those headliners began their journey. This partnership sets a powerful new benchmark for the industry, proving that major venues can actively participate in securing the future of the talent pipeline.”

Ben Lovett of folk-rock band Mumford and Sons welcomed the announcement, citing his own work in supporting grassroots venues.

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He said: ​“We have done everything we can to protect the essential grassroots scene; lobbying various sitting governments, trying to educate anyone who’d listen to the fact that artists don’t just arrive in these arenas from nowhere.” 

He continued: ​“We couldn’t care more about the essential work of small venues up and down the country and we think it’s brilliant that a venue like The O2 is making a meaningful donation to contribute, as we all should, towards a more sustainable ecosystem within live music in the future.”

Isabelle Blakeney is a freelance journalist.

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