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Harry Styles is set to donate £1 from each ticket sold for his 2026 UK stadium concerts to support grassroots music venues across the country.
The acclaimed pop artist recently announced his Together Together tour, which includes a series of six performances at Wembley Stadium. Following significant demand during the initial pre-sale period, two additional shows were added on Monday.
This initiative is expected to raise approximately £780,000 for the LIVE Trust, an organization dedicated to preserving and promoting the UK’s vital network of grassroots music venues.
A recent report highlighted the financial struggles faced by these venues, with over half operating without profit and many at risk of permanent closure.
Styles’ decision to implement a £1 levy on ticket prices aligns with similar efforts previously undertaken by artists such as Pulp, Katy Perry, Radiohead, Ed Sheeran, Kneecap, Lorde, and Wolf Alice.
Last year, Coldplay contributed 10% of their UK tour proceeds to the fund, while Sam Fender donated his £25,000 Mercury Prize winnings to support small venues.
“I wouldn’t be doing what I am doing today if it wasn’t for all the gigs I played around the North East, and beyond, when I was starting out,” Fender stated at the time, emphasizing the importance of these venues.
“These venues are legendary, but they are struggling.”
Since the beginning of 2023, over 150 grassroots music venues have permanently closed, representing approximately 16% of the total number in the UK.
The Music Venue Trust, a charity supporting the grassroots music scene, has praised Styles’ contribution.
“That £1 might feel small but when artists at the top level step up, it unlocks serious, long-term support for the base that holds the whole live music ecosystem together,” the trust said in a statement.
“This model works. And it’s growing.”
In the past year, 8.8% of tickets sold for UK arena and stadium shows included a version of what has been termed the “grassroots levy.”
The government has voiced its support for the scheme, which is currently voluntary.
Culture Minister Ian Murray has stated his ambition for “at least 50% of tickets on sale for stadium and arena shows in 2026” to incorporate the levy.
While funds raised through the scheme have not yet been distributed, sources indicate that an announcement regarding the initial phase of funding is expected later this week, with venues, artists, and independent promoters among the beneficiaries.
Styles’ return to the stage is among the most eagerly anticipated music events of the year, coinciding with the release of his fourth album, Kiss All The Time, Disco Occasionally, on March 6.
The tour includes residencies in just seven cities: Amsterdam, London, São Paulo, Mexico City, New York, Melbourne, and Sydney. In New York, Styles has scheduled a 30-night engagement at Madison Square Garden.
Fans who obtained pre-sale codes for the London shows have reported lengthy queues and limited ticket availability, reflecting the high demand.
Ticketmaster confirmed during the presale that prices ranged from £44.10 to £466.25 (including fees), with a £2.95 handling fee per order.
The company stated that ticket prices would remain consistent throughout the sale, addressing concerns about “dynamic pricing.”
Some fans have expressed surprise at the cost of the most expensive seats.
“I love Harry but the prices for this tour are an actual abomination,” one user wrote on X.
“How are these costs acceptable?” another inquired on TikTok.
During Styles’ previous Wembley performances in 2023, ticket prices ranged from £50.65 to £326.20 before fees, indicating a £140 increase in the cost of top-tier tickets.
However, his prices are in line with the rising costs associated with stadium concerts.
In other news, Styles has been confirmed as a presenter at the upcoming Grammy Awards in Los Angeles.
He previously won the coveted album of the year award at the 2023 ceremony for his third album, Harry’s House.
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Grassroots venue owners say they don’t do it for the money, it’s the passion for it that drives them.
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