Grassroots music fund launched in city

Applications are now open for musicians, promoters and venues in Oxford to apply for part of a new grassroots music funding pot.

Oxford City Council has agreed to invest £40,000 over the next two years to help live music events.

It comes after the closure of multiple local venues in recent years and aims to "reduce costs for musicians and promoters to enable more musical activity in the city".

James Taylor, champion of events and live music at the council, said: "Oxford has a vibrant music scene and a proud music history. This fund will help local musicians, venues, promoters, and anyone who loves live music."

Recent years have seen venues such as The Cellar and the upstairs venue at The Wheatsheaf close their doors.

The funding was approved by Oxford City Council in February, and has been warmly welcomed by musicians and promoters.

The council has launched the fund by allocating £20,000 for the 2026/2027 financial year.

Two grants of £5,000 each will be made available for music venues, and about 10 grants of about £1,000 each will be available for musicians and promoters.

Local singer-songwriter Emma Hunter said she would be applying to the fund in the hope of covering the costs of her next album.

She told the BBC: "The news that there will be grassroots music funding came as a great surprise."

She added: "The particularly helpful element of the fund is the subsidy of rehearsal spaces.

"Gone are the days of a garage with a PA system, and rehearsal spaces are so important as it's where we hone our craft.

"They are also one of the largest expenses we have, as well as recording, but a good rehearsal studio is worth its weight in gold.

"I hope this encourages people from a wide range of backgrounds, where financial costs can impact and hinder moving forwards in music, and that this fund will help to prioritise new music in Oxford.

"If we don't invest in grassroots music there will be no music legends of tomorrow, so I'm happy to see the council making a positive step to secure the future of the music industry."

Taylor, who was appointed last year to champion live music and events and helped think up the new scheme, said: "Oxford's live music industry is undergoing significant financial strain, and, without council intervention, will continue to shrink.

"By backing grassroots music we're ensuring events actually happen, while supporting the livelihoods of those working in this struggling industry."

The deadline for applications is 12 October.

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