Venue closures and struggles for musicians are not a new concept. Since the early 2000s, the number of grassroots music venues closing has been increasing, accelerated in the immediate aftermath of the pandemic as financial hardships worsened. In 2023, Music Venue Trust recorded two per week, and in 2024, this slowed, but to a still alarming one every (MVT) fortnight.

Music is recognised as a powerful tool for self-expression, but some musicians and bands are using their voices not just to entertain their fans, but to ignite change. They know that their influence reaches beyond the stage they perform on, leveraging their platform to speak out on issues that matter, from politics to social justice and inequality. ​ Rallying against oppressive systems and advocating for marginalized communities, these artists use the power of their music and

Taylor Swift has released a statement on her website following the purchase of her master recordings for her first six studio albums, following a sale to her by Shamrock Capital.