Turn up the volume on stadium tax campaign
Scotland’s music industry could be handed a multi-million pound funding boost if a stadium tax for mega gigs generates enough backing from concert goers, say the Scottish Greens.
Culture spokesperson Mark Ruskell MSP has already put calls from charity the Music Venue Trust for a £1 a ticket levy on all ticket stubs at Scotland’s biggest venues in a question to Culture Minister Angus Robertson.
Now he is calling for action to look at ways of bringing forward the plans, and is urging music lovers to get behind the call, to show there would be grassroots support if the government were to go ahead.
Mr Ruskell said: “The Music Venue Trust illustrated how just £1 from every ticket sale at gigs in Scotland’s two largest stadiums would generate a million pounds a year.
“This summer we have P!nk and the Foo Fighters lined up for sold out gigs at Hampden in Glasgow and Taylor Swift coming to Murrayfield in Edinburgh to name just three. Think what difference that could make if this was in place.
“These are examples of how the profits of big culture could be reinvested into grassroots music, artists and cultural venues.
“I’m grateful that the Cabinet Secretary agreed to consider such a proposal more closely and to meet with me and others on this. We also need to have the backing from those very people benefiting the most from shows - the fans themselves.
“They are the driving force that attract big name acts to our towns and our cities with their buying power. It is their loyalty and enthusiasm that signals demand, and it is that same community who can help make a difference.
“I would urge them to get behind the campaign and demonstrate the strength of feeling that exists in ensuring we examine all new ways to help fund culture, including a badly needed stadium tax.
“Scotland’s arts sector and venues help bind the very fabric of our society, from the jobs they deliver to the dreams they inspire and we should look at every single opportunity we can to protect and support it however we possibly can.”