RADAR becomes first festival to donate ticket sale proceeds to Music Venue Trust
RADAR Festival, known for its boundary-pushing lineup and unwavering support for emerging talent, is making history as the first festival to donate a portion of its ticket sales to the Music Venue Trust (MVT).
Set to take place from July 26th to 28th at Manchester's O2 Victoria Warehouse, RADAR Festival 2024 promises not only an exceptional musical experience but also a meaningful contribution to the grassroots music community.
The decision to donate proceeds from ticket sales to MVT's Pipeline Investment Fund marks a significant step forward in supporting the backbone of the UK live music scene. With the recent loss of 16% of grassroots music venues in the past year alone, RADAR Festival's initiative comes at a crucial time, offering much-needed support to venues facing financial challenges.
MVT's Pipeline Investment Fund has already made a substantial impact, awarding over £260,000 to 61 grassroots music venues since its inception in 2022. RADAR Festival's contribution will further bolster this initiative, ensuring that these vital cultural spaces continue to thrive.
Co-organizer Catherine Jackson-Smith, owner of The Lounge Bar in Alton, emphasizes the importance of protecting smaller venues as breeding grounds for future headliners. She notes:
"If we don't protect the smaller venues, then there isn't a pipeline for the next headliners, and this ticking time bomb is something that the music industry can, and must, take action on."
Echoing this sentiment, co-organizer Joe James underscores the role of grassroots venues in nurturing talent and supporting the entire music ecosystem:
"Many of the crew working at RADAR gained first-hand experience at grassroots venues," says James. "As well as nurturing artists, these training grounds support the whole talent ecosystem."
Mark Davyd, CEO and founder of MVT, expresses gratitude to RADAR Festival for their pioneering support of the Pipeline Investment Fund, describing it as a :
"strong commitment to the heart and soul of the UK's music scene."
In addition to its philanthropic efforts, RADAR Festival boasts an impressive lineup of both international and homegrown talent. Headliners include synth royalty The Midnight, making their debut UK festival performance, alongside Dirty Loops, Plini, VOLA, and Sungazer, among others.
RADAR Festival has a track record of championing progressive music and providing a platform for emerging artists. Previous editions have featured groundbreaking performances from acts like Sleep Token, Periphery, and Igorrr, solidifying its reputation as the UK's most exciting new progressive music festival.
Full List of Bands Announced for RADAR Festival 2024:
The Midnight
Dirty Loops
Plini
VOLA
Sungazer
Humanity's Last Breath
Heart of a Coward
Oxymorrons
Blood Command
Caskets
Conjurer
Ithaca
Siamese
unpeople
Graphic Nature
The Intersphere
The Omnific
Future Static
ADHARMA
Cestra
Tribe Of Ghosts
Seething Akira
Giant Walker
Ikonik
With its innovative approach to programming and unwavering commitment to supporting grassroots music venues, RADAR Festival continues to lead the way in shaping the future of the live music landscape.
Save the date for this year’s RADAR Festival, and watch the video for “Look Alive (Netic)” by Oxymorrons one of our faves on the bill:
