Germany to Introduce "Solidarity-Based" Ticket Levy System to Support Grassroots Venues
Unlike voluntary models in the UK and France, the initiative will launch with a coalition of venues throughout the country
Germany has introduced a new ticket levy initiative called Club Euro that looks a little bit different than the voluntary models in the UK and France. Whereas in the UK, the levy is voluntary, and thus some of the largest promoters are opting out, Germany is seeking to launch this program with a nationwide coalition of venues on board to participate.
The details:
Germany’s Federal Foundation for Live Culture developed Club Euro.
German music trade body Initiative Musik funds the new program.
Clubs, music venues, and event organizers can get involved.
All the venues in the network will add €1 to each ticket, which will go into a common fund.
The money will be distributed on a capacity-based scale, with more going to smaller venues.
The program will be introduced in several more active regions around the country to test its efficacy.
Background:
A recent study found that “61% of Berlin venues are operating at the break-even point, despite sustained audience demand.”
Last year, Germany introduced a voluntary levy system similar to the UK's called the Live Music Fund.
What they said:
Felix Grädler, board member of the Federal Foundation for Live Culture and founder of the Live Music Fund: “If venues in Berlin can no longer sustain themselves even with maximum demand, then the problem is not with the audience. The financing model for live culture is no longer viable.”
👋 Disclosures & Transparency Block
This article was written with information sourced from IQ.
We covered it because it represents a new model for supporting independent venues.
