Live Music

Baroness Wilcox of Newport Excerpts

Thursday 2nd July 2026 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Wilcox of Newport (Lab)]

My Lords, I declare my interest as chair of trustees of CDMT. I thank my noble friend Lord Brennan of Canton for his leadership of the fan-led review of live music. Its central message is simple: live music must work for audiences, artists and communities alike, and that starts with strong foundations.

In my home city of Newport, live music is not an abstract concept; it is part of our identity. You can hear it, see it and feel it. We have a proud musical heritage. That spirit lives on in grass-roots venues such as Le Pub, a community-owned venue that has nurtured local talent for decades while attracting touring artists from across the UK. It reminds us of a vital truth: the music industry is not built from the top down. Every headline act and every arena tour begins on a small stage somewhere.

The sector contributes billions to our economy and supports hundreds of thousands of jobs, but its value goes beyond economics. Every gig supports local businesses, strengthens town and city centres, and brings communities together, but these foundations are under real pressure. Grass-roots venues face rising costs, tight margins and increasing uncertainty. For Wales, this matters profoundly. We are a nation of song, culture and community; from the Eisteddfod to the streets of Newport, music helps define who we are.

Will the Government recognise the full value of live music, not only as an economic asset but as a cornerstone of community life? Will there be meaningful support for grass-roots venues so they can survive and thrive? If we want a world-leading music industry tomorrow, we must invest in the small stages of today. A nation that values its music must value where the music begins.