Featured Artists Coalition Ups Tour Support for UK Artists by 140%

The Featured Artists Coalition (FAC) has announced a substantial increase in support from the LIVE Trust for the UK Artist Touring (UKAT) fund.

What it does:

• UKAT seeks to provide artists with “top up” financial support to cover shortfalls in their touring budgets.

• It was launched in partnership with the Music Managers Forum and Musicians’ Union in March 2026.

• The first funding distribution took place in April 2026, with 26 artists across the UK receiving targeted investment from the proceeds of £125,000 collected by the LIVE Trust.

• FAC estimates this resulted in 211 shows taking place across the UK that might otherwise have been canceled.

Additional funding:

• The boost in second-round funding comes from an additional £300,000 collected from voluntary ticket contributions at large-scale music events, including shows by Harry Styles, Take That, Wolf Alice, Lorde, Kasabian, Radiohead, Jessie Ware, Basement Jaxx and Duran Duran.

• This represents a 140% increase on April’s Round 1 funding.

• Artists can now apply for up to a maximum of £8,000 (or up to a maximum of 40% of total eligible tour expenditure – whichever is lower).

• Applications open here on Wednesday 26 August at 10am, and close on Friday 11 September.

What they said:

• Jon Collins, CEO LIVE Trust: “LIVE Trust is already demonstrating that money raised by the industry can be distributed quickly and effectively in support of programs across grassroots music. It is fantastic to see the UK Artist Touring fund build on the success of its first distribution phase, with increased funding and expanded eligibility to reach more artists and respond directly to the challenges facing grassroots touring. Like our other partner programs, working with UKAT shows the value of placing money with industry experts who understand the nuances of their sector.”