£1million Lotto boost for grassroots gigs is music to Jo’s ears
BEAMING Jo Whiley is on a mission to bring live music back to Britain – thanks to a £1million boost from the National Lottery.
The money will underwrite the touring and production costs of more than 300 gigs at grassroots venues this summer, to help the music industry recover from Covid.
And DJ and TV presenter Jo is ambassador for the Revive Live Tour – a string of Lottery-backed big-name performances on smaller stages.
She said: “We have fantastic venues all over the country that provide a stage for an amazing range of musicians, and all have been impacted by the pandemic.
“The National Lottery’s Revive Live Tour is an amazing opportunity to showcase incredible artists and support these grassroots music venues.
“I’m sure many people have missed the experience of live music over lockdown. I can’t wait to see these amazing musicians on stage again.”
Revive Live acts include Rag’n’Bone Man, Mahalia, James Arthur, Frank Turner, Sam Fender, Fontaines DC and Sir Tom Jones – who said he’s “delighted” to be taking part. He added: “Musicians can record in their bedrooms, but they can’t learn to perform in public without a place to play. Without a grassroots music venue, the neighbourhood won’t have a place where people can come together to discover and support new talent. “So support your local pub, club, gym or church. It makes all the difference to budding artists and the community.” The National Lottery, which has teamed up with the Music Venues Trust, hopes venues will be able to promote shows, with other costs being covered by the £1million. During the pandemic the Trust has called for Government support for venues. The Daily Express Raise The Curtain campaign has also lobbied the Government to support the arts during the Covid crisis. Revive Live tickets go on sale on Monday, from 8pm. Up to 30,000 tickets will be gifted to National Lottery players, who will be invited to bring a plus-one for free.