● On 14 May, the UK’s electronic music industry delivered an unprecedented show of unity and urgency as sector leaders from artists to club owners came together to meet with Parliament’s Culture Committee.

● The sector called unequivocally for Government action to prevent the unsustainable losses of venues and future of club and electronic music culture itself.

● The roundtables were held in the 15,000 capacity DRUMSHEDS venue, previously an IKEA, showcasing the talent pipeline for electronic music, fed through the grassroots spaces under threat, and demand recognition of the culture.

Led by the Night Time Industries Association (NTIA), the leading trade organisation for nightlife culture and clubs, the discussions placed the spotlight firmly on the cultural, social and economic value of electronic music — and the crisis now threatening its infrastructure.

Attendees, including leading DJs, producers, venue operators, promoters, agents, suppliers, security, and festivals spoke candidly to cross-party MPs responsible for holding the Government to account on cultural policy.

The MPs heard first hand the harsh realities facing the sector, from unsustainable operational costs and disproportionate taxation to heavy handed, high-risk licensing and policing, widespread noise complaint closures, and a gaping void in Government recognition.

The roundtables honed in on the shared, urgent policy asks of Government, including:

● Recognising nightclubs and venues as vital cultural and community institutions.

● Proportionate approach tax and business rates for grassroots venues, on par with other similar cultural, heritage and community spaces.

● Reforming licensing and planning frameworks to support contemporary cultural spaces, and preventing noise complaints shutting long-standing community hubs.

● Embedding nightlife and electronic music’s value in national cultural policy, including through direct and regular engagement.

The Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee MPs had both high praise and concern for the sector, and were unambiguous in their commitment to support recognition and action for the neglected, yet deeply culturally important sector.

Dame Caroline Dinenage MP, Chair of the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee, said:

“Electronic music and club culture are core to our nation’s culture, identity, sense of community, and local economies. Today’s sessions made that abundantly clear.

“The evidence we heard today underscores both the enormous value of this sector and the critical challenges it faces. This is last chance saloon for this vibrant, contemporary - and indeed leading - culture.

“This significant engagement is just the start. We're very grateful to attendees from across this diverse and vital sector, the NTIA for organising, and Drumsheds for hosting us. As a Committee we will continue to press Government and Parliamentarians to value, protect and enable electronic music and nightlife and we look forward to further engagement and to working with the sector as we progress these solutions.”

Michael Kill, CEO of the Night Time Industries Association (NTIA), added:

“Today was a crucial moment for electronic music and nightlife culture in the UK. The scale of the challenges - and opportunities - laid bare in the roundtables leaves no doubt in the Committee’s minds about the need for urgent intervention.

“This is not just about nightclubs; it’s about protecting cultural identity, jobs, and the social fabric of our towns and cities. We thank the Select Committee for their time, engagement and agreement for action today, and urge the Government to work with us to deliver the reforms needed to secure the future of one of our country’s greatest cultural assets. We will not rest until our sector and culture is valued, and as we demonstrated today, we are united and unambiguous in our demands.”

Sam Spencer, Chief of Operations at Broadwick Live, said:

“Today’s roundtables at Drumsheds, in partnership with the NTIA, made one thing clear: the electronic music sector is delivering huge cultural and economic value but doing so under immense strain. Operators from across the UK spoke candidly about the red tape, licensing challenges, unsustainable costs, and outdated policy holding the sector back.

“The message to MPs was simple: without urgent reform, we risk losing the infrastructure that makes electronic music and the communities it supports to thrive.

“We’re grateful to the Culture Select Committee for listening to the electronic music industry at Drumsheds. We look forward to engaging more in the near future. Now we need action.”

Creative Artists Agency (CAA) Artist Manager Maria May said:

“Today was a moment to imagine how much more revenue we could drive through the UK economy if the Government recognised, acknowledged and supported the cultural and financial value of electronic music to the UK economy and global reputation.

“Today was a moment to imagine that with their support we could actually do that. I am positive that after today’s roundtables it will be the first of many interactions with the Culture Committee, and responsible Ministers, tasked with developing and supporting creative industries, culture and electronic music in the UK so it can survive and thrive.”

Sarah McBriar, AVA Festival, added:

“There are vast, untapped opportunities within the UK’s nighttime economy—particularly in the creative and cultural potential of electronic DJs, producers, and the broader ecosystem that supports them. The prominence of electronic music in major institutions such as Tate Modern, the British Museum, Glastonbury Festival, and countless other events across the country highlights its cultural significance.

“Despite this, electronic music still lacks the recognition it deserves at the governmental level as a serious cultural and economic force. With greater support instigated today by the task force, and a shift in perception, the sector could flourish—nurturing talent, creating jobs, fostering a safer nighttime economy, and unlocking its full potential.”

Stuart Glen, The Cause nightclub:

“Today's meeting was an incredible opportunity for some of the UK operators pioneering electronic music culture.

It did feel like everyone was on tenderhooks as the extremely challenging navigations of running spaces in today's climate highlighted. Huge inconsistencies in different local boroughs' approaches, archaic red tape via licensing and planning, alongside spiralling costs in pretty much every aspect of our business. It is indeed very tough times out there.”

Andrea Faith - artist operations manager and producer

“It’s a challenge to exist right now, when operating costs and national insurance are impacting festivals and nightlife. It’s equally as important to be, GALA’s financial contribution to the local economy, and being able to curate a lineup and celebrate ten years.

It’s great to come to see so many people in the industry come, including competitors and suppliers to discuss the rightful place electronic music had in culture. Electronic music is culture.”
Further background:

The Select Committee is made up of cross-party MPs who formally hold the Government to account in Parliament. Attendees include prolific DJs and producers such as Haai and Jodie Harsh, agents and managers of artists including Charli XCX and David Guetta, and a range of key figures from the sector reflecting the inclusivity core - and often unique - to electronic music culture.

These include performers, labels, radio, light and sound, clubs (from grassroots to larger), promoters, ticketing, festivals, agents, security, and local government.

Club closures:

On average, 3 nightclubs have closed per week in the UK, with a staggering 34% overall loss since November 2019. Now, new post-April tax rises from the Chancellor’s Autumn Budget threaten many more - with recent NTIA polls suggesting:

● 92% of nightlife businesses have already cut staff, operating hours, or essential investments, while

● 40% warn they will close within six months without urgent support

● While another 40% of venues are now looking to make job cuts - on top of the redundancies already made as we approached the new tax year

As a leading name in the UK’s culture landscape, DRUMSHEDS team supported discussions around future-proofing the industry and positive steps towards a sustainable future.The NTIA will continue to work with the Select Committee, policymakers and Government directly to press for support for electronic music, club and nightlife culture. You can follow updates or support NTIA’s work @ntiaofficial or on their website www.ntia.co.uk