Viola Beach tragedy shows risks of high-cost touring, Wolf Alice guitarist says

Summary

Joff Oddie, guitarist of Wolf Alice, highlighted the dangers faced by up-and-coming bands while touring, citing the tragic 2016 car crash that killed the members of Viola Beach as a cautionary tale. During a parliamentary hearing, he advocated for a ‘grassroots levy’ of £1 on live music tickets to alleviate financial pressures on new artists and venues. The discussion also addressed the reliance of grassroots venues on alcohol sales, emphasizing the potential risks as younger audiences drink less, which jeopardizes the industry’s financial sustainability.

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