Attitude is Everything have produced a DIY Access Guide which is a collection of ‘top tip’ lists and easy to follow ‘gig hacks’ to help any band, artist or promoter link up with a venue to make a gig as accessible as possible, even if a stage is up or down a flight of stairs.

2024 remained a tough and challenging climate for Grassroots Music Venues (GMVs), with over 200 venues, 24.9% of the entire sector, needing to reach out to the charity for support to avoid permanent closure. Music Venue Trust (MVT) offered planning, licensing, noise, acoustics, and legal advice to GMVs across the UK, directly responding to a broad range of key issues facing venues and increased their support for the financial challenges that pose the most significant risk to the sustainability and resilience of the grassroots network.

Read the 2024 Annual Report now below to see how MVT are backing artists, venues, and communities across the country.

Read the results from the Music Fans Voice survey, the first of its kind to give gig-goers a direct say in shaping the future of live music in the UK.

Explore Manchester’s impact at SXSW 2025, where the city marked its third consecutive year at the event and celebrated a milestone partnership with Austin. This official recognition strengthens Manchester’s global connections and highlights its ongoing commitment to international collaboration and innovation.

The GMCA Inspire Fund is providing grants of £500 – £2,000 for freelance and independent artists, and small organisations across Greater Manchester.

You may be a musician who would benefit from a new instrument, a small group who needs funds to expand your wardrobe or replace costumes, or a freelance artist who wishes to upskill via a training course.

ICAM (In Conversations & Masterclasses) is StreamGM’s creative career podcast series. The format is intentionally straightforward—consisting of a knowledgeable host and seasoned industry professionals from Greater Manchester, who come together to discuss their diverse careers and rich experiences within the music, events & creative arts world.

The first ever Greater Manchester Culture Strategy, Grown in Greater Manchester, Known Around The World, was published in Spring, 2018. The strategy set out a five-year vision for culture across the city region. The strategy drew inspiration from and was supported by the ten districts of Greater Manchester, with a focus on codifying a shared vision for the city region that capitalised on the unique strengths and opportunities available in Greater Manchester.

In 2019, UK Music partnered with Andy Burnham and the Greater Manchester Combined Authority to publish a landmark report outlining key recommendations for the region’s music and nighttime economy. Informed by extensive consultation with industry experts, local authorities, and the public, the report provides a strategic roadmap for Greater Manchester’s future cultural and economic growth.

The Music Venue Trust, in collaboration with the Greater Manchester Music Commission and Night Time Economy office, has released Planning: A Best Practice Guide. This resource helps venue operators and related businesses, like studios and rehearsal spaces, navigate planning challenges caused by nearby developments and growing tensions with new residents.