Coldplay to donate 10% of show earnings to grassroots venues

Coldplay has announced a run of shows in London and Hull next year, with 10% of the proceeds set to be donated to Music Venue Trust (MVT).

The dates mark the band’s only shows in the UK and Europe in 2025 and will see the ticket agents, promoters, the band’s booking agent (WME), and the venues make contributions to the charity.

The money raised will “go directly into work that ensures communities right across the country will continue to have access to great live music on their doorstep”, according to MVT CEO Mark Davyd.

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“Coldplay are the perfect example of a UK band who came through the grassroots circuit on their way to worldwide stadium-filling success,” said Davyd.

“It’s fantastic to see them celebrating their own pathway to Wembley by giving back to the grassroots music venues that supported them and recognising the artists and promoters that are struggling more than ever to build their own careers.”

“The band’s support really will stop venues closing, make tours happen and bring the joy of live music to thousands of people. After months of discussing Coldplay’s potential support around these UK shows with them, we’re so happy and grateful that the news is finally out there.”

Closures

Research published by MVT last September found that 125 grassroots venues closed across the country in the first eight months of last year, representing the loss of 4,000 jobs, 14,250 events, and 193,230 performance opportunities for musicians. 

The pressure on grassroots music venues continued into this year, with the government’s Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee stating in March that grassroots music venues are now closing at a rate of more than two a week, with more than a third currently making a loss.

The committee has since backed the introduction of a levy on arena and stadium tickets to support grassroots venues and create a support fund for venues, artists, and promoters. If no agreement is in place by this month, the group said the government should introduce a statutory levy.

Renewable energy

The shows will also see Coldplay deliver “a world first for a stadium show” by using solar, wind, and kinetic energy to power the Wembley production.

In addition, a satellite stage at each show will run from energy generated by the audience using kinetic flooring and power bikes.

The band is also taking steps to reduce the emissions produced by audience members at the Hull shows by guaranteeing half of the tickets will be sold to local fans based on their postcodes on 26 September at 6pm, ahead of the general sale at  9am on 27 September.

Following the presale and general sales, Coldplay will make a limited number of pairs of £20 ‘Infinity Tickets’ available for the shows on 22 November.