AIP

A partnership between the Association of Independent Festivals (AIF), the Association of Independent Promoters (AIP) and Music Venue Trust (MVT) has won the support of Arts Council England to create a new networking day for the sector.

The report is the result of a comprehensive survey distributed to the association’s membership of 150 promoters. It is the first of its kind to spotlight the vital role of independent promoters in the UK music scene, celebrating their work in providing a platform for local, national and international artists, as well as shining a light on the many hurdles the grassroots community is facing and their hopes for a more stable industry.

The database will be launched in September 2025 and will be a go-to resource for venues, agents, artists, journalists, conference organisers and gig-goers who want to strike the diversity balance in their businesses, programmes, coverage and experiences.

"This feels like March 2020 all over again" says Promoter Anna Moulson of Melting Vinyl in Brighton "Shows are collapsing every single hour. It's rapidly getting worse. Yet there's no Government support. If we are not financially supported during this time - either to operate and cover the losses, or to be closed so we can wait to safely re-open, the UK live music scene will lose hundreds of small independent promoters. Without us, there is no UK live music scene."

The Association of Independent Promoters has published 'The AIP Promoter Jargon Buster' - a list of commonly used promoting terms to help support new and emerging promoters into the sector.