Major new funding for music acts that supercharged careers of BRIT award winners
Source: gov.uk (2025-03-08)

British artists are set to benefit from the latest round of government funding designed to boost music exports, drive growth and deliver the Plan for Change.

- £1.6m Music Export Growth Scheme to support 58 independent UK artists to tour the world
- Funding will boost UK’s creative industries – a key growth sector in the Government’s upcoming Industrial Strategy
- Creative Industries sector is worth almost £125 billion to the UK economy, and employs 2.4 million people
Up and coming British artists are set to benefit from the latest round of government funding designed to boost British music exports, drive faster growth and deliver the Plan for Change.

The Music Export Growth Scheme (MEGS) will support 58 UK artists to tour the world thanks to a fund of £1.6 million issued by the Department for Business and Trade and the Department for Culture Media and Sport.

This funding will directly support small and medium sized music companies to deliver high-quality marketing and promotion campaigns for their artists to tour abroad and attract new fans, overseas touring opportunities and revenue.

These opportunities will open up global music markets and international audiences to home-grown talent in the UK, paving the way for the next big band or artist to usher in a new British Invasion.

The UK is already one of the largest music exporters - a key part of the UK’s soft power. However, in one of the most competitive industries on the planet, government is clear that staying ahead of the pack means backing the next generation of talent to help deliver economic growth.

Gareth Thomas, Minister for Exports and Small Businesses, said:

The UK has always led the way with its world-renowned musical acts, and this funding is vital to supporting smaller music companies to seize opportunities abroad.

Not only will this help shine a spotlight on the best of British talent globally, but it will drive exports abroad, amplifying growth at home in the UK.

The support forms a key pillar of the government’s Industrial Strategy which focuses on eight essential areas identified to generate growth. This includes the Creative Industries which was worth almost £125 billion to the UK economy in 2023 and employed 2.4 million people.

The Strategy, as part of the Plan for Change, is designed to boost the UK’s industries, put more money into people’s pockets and secure jobs for the future.

Over 99% of the Creative Industries sector are highly innovative SMEs and when smaller businesses export more, the whole economy benefits.

This year, successful applicants include companies representing artists like Fat Dog, who last weekend performed at the 2025 BRIT Awards, as well as others from across the UK like Manchester’s indie-rock band Blossoms, Hertfordshire’s electronic music act Maribou State, Newcastle’s singer-songwriter Andrew Cushin, and Bangor’s indie-rock band :Panic :Over.

In the past, MEGS has also supported the international careers of top British artists including Jungle, Kae Tempest and 2025 BRIT award winners Ezra Collective, and nominees, Dave and beabadoobee.

Since the government began providing support in 2014, around £7.9 million has been given out in grants, which includes this funding round, to support almost over 4560 musical acts from across the UK.

Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said:

The Music Export Growth Scheme has helped so many of our talented homegrown artists launch their careers internationally.

As part of our Plan for Change, we are supporting our creative industries to reach their full potential including through this latest round of funding, which will help the next generation of artists to tour abroad, market themselves to new audiences and showcase the best of British culture and creativity to the world.

The music industry benefits from several other government funding schemes. In January, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport announced a £60 million fund for the Creative Industries (https://www.gov.uk/government/news/60-million-boost-for-creative-industries-to-turbocharge-growth), which included a further £2.5 million investment to support Grassroots Music which provide grants to rehearsal and recording studios, festivals and promoters, as well as live music venues.

Support for grassroots music provides an essential foundation on which future export success, as supported by schemes like MEGS, is built.

:Panic :Over said:

We’re thrilled to announce that we will be receiving funding from BPI MEGS board to help us progress our musical career! We are delighted to be able to use this amazing opportunity to play shows and gigs all across the Republic of Ireland over the rest of the year. This support means the world to us, and we can’t thank everyone involved enough for believing in our music and the journey ahead.

Dolores Forever said:

We are beyond thrilled to receive this funding from MEGS which will be a complete game changer for us. It will enable us to move forward with plans for album 2 and accept international live offers, reaching audiences which we haven’t had the resources to do so before. In the current music industry, support like this really is vital and we would like to say a huge thanks to the MEGS board.

The Bug Club said:

We’re really pleased to be a recipient of MEGS funding. In the current climate, it’s near impossible for artists to be able to broaden their horizons without additional financial support, so we would like to thank the MEGS board and everyone involved in making this happen. We’re looking forward to using the funding to embark on a headline European tour and proudly represent Wales overseas.

Punk Rock Factory said:

We are super excited to have been chosen for MEGS funding, this truly means so much to us. We are excited to be able to push our music growth outside of the UK and this funding will be a huge help to that. We would like to thank everyone on the MEGS board for their support and belief in us as a band.

Sophie Jones, BPI Chief Strategy Officer, said:

At a time where new acts face increasing global competition, the Music Export Growth Scheme (MEGS) is needed more than ever to enable the next generation of British talent to reach international audiences and grow their profile. It is a genuine game-changer for the artists supported through the scheme, a critical resource for the UK’s burgeoning independent sector, and a proven financial success with a significant return on investment and boost to exports.

The 58 incredible acts supported by this latest round of MEGS funding are testament to the diverse creative talent that exists across the whole of the UK. We welcome the Government’s continued support of this essential scheme and look forward to continuing our partnership in the years to come.