Support act

Encouraging news from London, where the O2 Arena has committed to providing funding to the Music Venue Trust to support their work with grassroots venues. It's not the MVT's proposed £1 ticket levy, but it's not to be sniffed at: an initial "six-figure" donation, plus additional funds each time a new headliner performs there.

The O2 isn't the first arena to strike a deal in support of the MVT, though. As I reported for Buzz early last year, Swansea Arena led the way, by both signing up to the ticket levy and raising money for the MVT's Pipeline Investment Fund. At the time, MVT CEO Mark Davyd said: "We hope their example will inspire many more." Might that hope be bearing fruit?