Glasgow City Council votes to back levy for Hydro 'mega-gigs' to support small venues

has voted in favour of introducing a levy for gigs at the . The £1 ticket levy, will be applied to "mega-giggs" at the Hydro, with revenue raised going to supporting grassroots music venues across the . It is hoped the £1 levy, introduced by the Scottish Party and backed by multiple parties, at the 12,000 capacity arena could generate hundreds of thousands per year for local venues.

According to the Greens, if the levy is introduced for upcoming performances from Kylie Minogue, Sam Fender, Olly Murs, comedian Peter Kay, Strictly Come Dancing and the WWE, it would raise £160,000. Scottish Glasgow Green Cllr Christy Mearns, who introduced the motion, said: “I am delighted to have received cross-party support for the motion today, which will move forward a plan for a stadium levy to be implemented in Glasgow. "This could help to raise much-needed revenue for Glasgow’s grassroots venues which are under threat, yet which are absolutely vital to our city’s musical success, national economy and citizens’ well-being.



“Grassroots venues support new artists to hone their craft, develop followings and nurture local subcultures; without them it’s very possible we wouldn’t have many of the big names who started out in exactly these spaces. “The Night Time Industries Association has recently issued a stark warning that all nightclubs could be lost by 2030 without wide and concerted efforts. I am pleased that Glasgow can hopefully lead the way in actually making this levy happen.

” Scottish Green MSP for Glasgow, Patrick Harvie, said: “It is great that Glasgow’s councillors have given such strong support to a levy on mega-gigs. It is a small change that could make a big difference for our independent music venues and artists. “Scotland’s arts sector and venues are a key part of Glasgow’s culture, from the jobs they deliver to the memories they create and the dreams they inspire.

“I am proud that it is Scottish Green councillors who are working to protect Glasgow’s nightlife and venues and that our city will be the first in Scotland to take such an important step.”.