Ed Sheeran Inspires Music in Libraries Initiative
Public libraries across England are set to transform into "creative hubs" featuring free recording studios and live music spaces, following new government plans aimed at strengthening the UK music industry.
This initiative draws inspiration from Ed Sheeran's charity efforts, which have supported similar programs in libraries and youth centres by providing free instrument loans and performance venues.
Sheeran advocated for the scheme to Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy during their visit last year to the non-profit arts organisation Brighten The Corners in Ipswich.
Subsequently, Nandy secured at least £12.5 million for the Music in Libraries initiative, co-designed by Sheeran, to fund recording booths, mixing desks, and other essential equipment.
Support for Underprivileged Musicians and Mental Health Benefits
Musician and broadcaster Guvna B, who began his career in a local church, emphasized the scheme’s potential significance for musicians from disadvantaged backgrounds.
"If you look at libraries, they're places that young people are familiar with," he said.
"They feel safe there, and they're going to feel free to create good stuff in an environment they're comfortable in."
As co-chair of the charity Youth Music, Guvna B highlighted the importance of music access in addressing the rise of mental health issues among young people.
"Something that's often underestimated about music is just how it helps people deal with difficult situations in their life and express themselves," he explained.
"You don't all have to be headlining the O2 Arena or Wembley Stadium. Sometimes it's enough for a kid in a bedroom in Scunthorpe to pick up a guitar and just express themselves. What that does for a young person's mind is second to none."
Government’s Broader Music Strategy
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy expressed hope that the new scheme will open music career opportunities to individuals who may not have previously considered them.
Following her visit to Ipswich, Nandy described the town as a "model" for emerging musicians, noting it has "an entire ecosystem" dedicated to nurturing new talent.
The government aims to replicate this model nationwide through a music plan that includes mentoring for artists and promoters, as well as reducing bureaucratic obstacles for music festivals and small venues.
An additional £15 million will be added to the existing Music Growth Package, designed to assist emerging artists in gaining recognition both domestically and internationally.
The government also plans to ease licensing restrictions for music events and offer longer contracts to music festivals to enhance their year-to-year stability.
In a statement, Nandy framed these changes as efforts to make the £8 billion music industry more inclusive.
"As the song says, 'Every generation throws a hero up the pop charts.' But pop is getting posher, and that must change.
"We believe music belongs to everyone, not just the privileged few."
Funding Boost for Grassroots Live Music
Separately, on Monday, the LIVE Music Trust announced a £1 million funding increase for UK grassroots live music.
This funding was raised through a £1 levy on ticket sales for stadium and arena concerts by artists such as Sam Fender, Wolf Alice, and Harry Styles, aiming to support emerging artists and the venues hosting their early performances.
Since its establishment in January 2025, the trust has supported over 100 artists, venues, and promoters.
Among the beneficiaries is Sheffield folk singer Jim Ghedi, who expanded his 2025 album "Wasteland" tour thanks to the funding.
"This funding has had a huge impact," Ghedi said. "It enabled me to take the full band out with me, as a four piece, and cover accommodation and travel costs without me having to lose a significant amount of money.
"It also enabled me to do two gigs in Cornwall which wouldn't have really been possible without this funding, due to travel costs making that unviable."
The funding arrives amid increasing pressures on the grassroots music scene, with an average of three nightclubs closing weekly and more than half of small music venues operating at a loss.
Alt-J musician Gus Unger-Hamilton, also a director of the Featured Artists Coalition, stated that funds like the Live Music Trust are essential for the sector's sustainability.
"The whole ecosystem is really struggling," he said.
"The problem is that we're seeing this widening gap now between stadium and arena touring and grassroots touring.
"Concert tickets are costing more and more and more money - often north of £100 for a pretty average seat to watch a pop star, and that means that people have less money to spend on going to watch live music.
"So that in turn is causing the smaller music scene to kind of shrivel because so much money is going into these big arena shows.
"So it's really fantastic that now artists playing these big gigs are able to support the grassroots, which is where they all came from.
"It makes the ecosystem much more healthy."
