Music venues, clubs and pubs in England are set to receive a 20 per cent cut in business rates next year, in an announcement from new Prime Minister Andy Burnham. It's expected to save a typical pub around £1,100 a year, with roughly 32,000 businesses benefiting.

The cut won't extend to the country's biggest venues, and it's the grassroots spaces at the heart of local scenes that stand to gain most. Music Venue Trust welcomed it as an "encouraging first step" while pushing for the same support to reach venues in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

These are the rooms where careers begin, and anything that helps keep their doors open protects the whole ecosystem we all rely on. Read more here.

The way we find new music is ever-evolving. With MTV gone and print reviews thin on the ground, many of us now discover artists by scrolling. Music influencers have become the modern-day radio DJs, trusted voices telling us what's worth a listen.

The catch, as a recent NPR piece explored, is that some of those recommendations are paid for. Several creators admitted they accept money from labels and agencies to feature songs without disclosing it, with rates often starting at a few hundred dollars per video. Many say they only promote music they'd share anyway, but the lack of transparency has left some fans feeling misled.

For independent artists, it's a double-edged sword. These creators can put your song in front of the right people, but the space is increasingly pay-to-play, making it harder for smaller acts to compete on a level playing field. Read more here.

This month's Artist of the Month is The Breath ✨

Manchester-based alt-folk duo The Breath weave together personal storytelling, Irish folk traditions, and contemporary themes. Their track 'Carry Your Kin' stopped us in our tracks, and we've been living in their 2026 live album ever since.

Expect rich, aching vocals, intricate guitar work and songs that feel both intimate and quietly expansive. If you love artists who take their time and let a song breathe, this one's for you. They're definitely one to watch.

Listen to The Breath on Spotify and follow their journey on Instagram. Let’s celebrate rising talent and support the artists who are shaping the future of independent music! 🎶

Days before the venue tax break, Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy unveiled a new long-term strategy for the UK music sector called Turn It Up: Our Plan for Music. It brings together existing schemes and fresh investment in talent, education, grassroots venues, and the wider industry.

At its centre is the Music Growth Package, now worth £45 million over three years, following a further £15 million from Arts Council England. It's set to support over 2,000 projects and more than 40,000 artists and professionals, and for the first time will back up-and-coming and mid-career artists as well as managers, labels and publishers. Former UK Music boss Michael Dugher has also been appointed the government's first Music Champion.

The funds are due to open in summer 2026. It's definitely worth keeping an eye on, as this money is aimed at the parts of the industry where independent artists actually work. Read more here.

Pushing tickets can be tricky, whether it's a lineup night or your own headline show. This month, we shared six practical ways to use Instagram to promote them.

The short version: personal direct messages still work best, so send a few a day to friends, family and fans. Back that up with high-energy Reels using real gig footage, and make full use of Stories tools like polls, countdowns and link stickers, which Instagram tends to reward with more reach. Don't forget your feed posts, with support announcements, behind-the-scenes carousels and a pinned gig poster. If you're up for it, a short Instagram Live rehearsal preview with a discount code can convert really well.

A few golden rules run through it all. Keep your ticket link in one obvious place, add a clear call to action to every caption, and design for mobile with vertical video and big buttons. A little scarcity helps too, whether that's early-bird pricing, bundles or 'selling fast' reminders.

👉 Read the full post on our Instagram here

If any of this resonates with you, get in touch! We'd love to chat about your project 💛

We're thrilled to present Zoe-Blu Shantos live at The Waiting Room in Stoke Newington on Friday 11 September!

The London singer-songwriter builds delicate, string-laced folk around her ukulele and voice, with intimate storytelling that rewards close listening. It's the kind of show that suits an intimate space beautifully, so this promises to be a special one. Support acts to be announced.

A limited number of early-bird tickets are available, so grab yours while they last!

Get your tickets here 🎫 ⭐️