Live music support budget
Oxford City Council is proposing funding for live music sector in budget amid challenges
Funding to support live music events in Oxford is being proposed for Oxford City Council’s upcoming budget over concerns the sector is being “strangled” by high prices.
A £20,000 funding pot for live music events would be made available each year for two years as part of the Labour group’s draft version of the budget.
It would allow the city council to provide flexible funding to enable events “which might otherwise not be viable to flourish”.
It comes as concerns have been raised about the lack of music venues in the city, and the knock-on effect this has on nightlife.
Councillor James Taylor, who is the council’s live music champion, said: “Oxford has a proud musical culture, with artists like Radiohead, Supergrass and Glass Animals, but high prices are strangling the sector and stifling new artists.
“The fund is specifically designed for new and upcoming local artists to meet the high costs of holding events in Oxford.
“This is something I strongly pushed to be included in the budget after meeting with groups representing the sector.
“I repeatedly heard that costs were the biggest pressure holding people back and stopping events from happening.”
A process for applying for the grant funding would be made in due course.
Oli Steadman, founding member of indie-folk band Stornoway, welcomed the proposal.
He said: “Some of our most important venues at the heart of the scene are under threat.
“Against the backdrop of all that bad news, having just a bit of funding makes all the difference, and inspires creatives to keep creating.
“We look forward to seeing the specifics of how to apply for it and what happens next.
“As a musician who has managed bands and applied for funding on their behalf, I’m used to seeing different approaches to the process.
“It would be a shame if they came up with something unworkable or involved lots and lots of paperwork for the artist. It’s not very sustainable.
“We’re looking forward to seeing what gets clarified on that front.”
He added that many musicians across the city and county would be up for collaborating with the council on the application process.
Paul Wightman, director of community benefit society Causing a Scene, said: “We’re enormous believers in the power of music and the arts to improve individual and societal wellbeing.
“In cities such as Bristol, Manchester and Liverpool, music and the arts are an enormous driver of economic impact and regeneration.
“There’s absolutely reason why Oxford and Oxfordshire could not follow that model.
“We would really urge all parties to get behind it.”
He added that developers in the city should not overlook the importance of community spaces and nightlife.
Ronan Munro, editor of the long-running music magazine Nightshift, said the principle of providing a pot of money for live music was “great”, but that it was a “small drop in a big ocean”.
He added: “£20,000 does not seem like a huge amount given what it costs to put on live music, and it depends on the procedure to apply for it.
“I think the council should be doing a lot more.
“The redevelopment of Wellington Square means we could lose two venues in one foul swoop.
“We do not have a dedicated live music centre in the city, but we need one.
“It’s a big complex issue but if the council want to celebrate what we have achieved in the city, they need to properly get behind live music.”
Oxford City Council will agree to its budget at the full council meeting on Monday, February 23.
The Labour group run the council as a minority administration, which means they may have to accept some amendments to the budget for it to pass.