Today UK music licensing company PPL proudly announces its support for the 2022 edition of Independent Venue Week, the annual seven-day celebration of independent music venues around the United Kingdom. Taking place from Monday 31 January to Sunday 6 February, it is the ninth year of the initiative and the sixth year in a row PPL has supported it as an Industry Partner.

Each year, Independent Venue Week provides a huge spotlight on the live music grassroots ecosystem which has experienced the toughest few years in its history. This ecosystem not only includes the venues and the people that own, run and work in them, but also artists, managers, crew, the kit, merch, ticketing, tour transport companies, and the all-important music fans and gig-goers – much of whom need their community support more than ever. So far this year, 201 venues from 80 different villages, towns and cities have signed up to take part, 90.1% of which are outside of London.

Peter Leathem, Chief Executive Officer at PPL, explains more about the music licensing company’s support of Independent Venue Week:

“We collect and distribute neighbouring rights royalties for over 130,000 performers and recording rightsholders – artists, musicians and record labels whose music is supported and showcased by independent venues. The last two years has highlighted how important these venues are in building careers and generating revenue as many in the UK music industry struggled financially when they closed their doors. PPL is therefore extremely proud to support Independent Venue Week for the sixth year in a row. Recorded and live music are all part of the same ecosystem and by championing independent venues, we help ensure the musicians, artists and record labels we represent can showcase their music, grow fanbases and thrive.”

Sybil Bell, Founder of Independent Venue Week, adds:

“We’re overjoyed to see Independent Venue Week returning to its live roots this year, after the toughest period for grassroots live venues and their communities. Whilst there is still some way to go to a full return of pre-covid times, there is a real sense of coming together and a huge and realistic desire to get back out to gigs, safely. The continued support from PPL is a real boost to the work we do and we’re grateful to them for recognising the importance of this community to the wider music industry”.