Tom Jones (Matt Crossick/PA)
The National Lottery has announced it will contribute £1 million to underwrite the touring and production costs of more than 300 live performances at grassroots venues this summer.
Lottery funding will support some 20 tours as well as one-off performances by big names such as Sir Tom Jones, Rag’n’Bone Man, Mahalia, James Arthur, Frank Turner, Sam Fender and Fontaines DC.
Organisers hope the partnership with the Music Venue Trust will allow the grassroots sector to start promoting shows again ahead of the expected end of lockdown restrictions on July 19.
Rag’n’Bone Man (Ian West/PA)