This poses an existential threat to the future talent pipeline of the country’s world-renowned live music industry. “It’s not our preferred model; we’d rather the industry got its act together and came together to ensure that grassroots venues were protected and supported. In 1994, the average length of a tour of grassroots venues around the UK was 22 shows with 28 locations on the primary and secondary circuit. Seven programmes will be revealed on their “mission to protect, expand and support grassroots music across the UK”. If the music industry can’t work out how to do this voluntarily, then we accept that we can work with the government to get there.