Sub Focus adds a 1-pound grassroots levy to his 2027 UK arena shows

Drum and bass artist Sub Focus will add a 1-pound grassroots ticket levy to his March 2027 arena shows in London and Manchester, with proceeds going to LIVE Trust.

The shows, at The O2 Greenwich in London and Co-op Live in Manchester, will each include the voluntary per-ticket contribution, part of a scheme LIVE Trust launched in 2025 to fund grassroots venues, promoters and artists using donations from larger tour dates. Ticket levy contributions from artists including Harry Styles, Gorillaz and Lily Allen have already raised 1.5 million pounds for the charity.

"Grassroots venues and promoters are where I learned my craft, built the foundations of my career," Sub Focus said in a statement announcing the levy, adding that he wanted to back what Save Our Scene are doing to keep those venues alive.

LIVE Trust CEO Jon Collins welcomed the announcement, framing it as proof the scheme keeps gaining momentum among bigger touring acts. "The strength of LIVE Trust comes from artists and the wider live music industry recognising that a small contribution can make a real difference," he said.

The levy adds Sub Focus to a growing list of major touring acts choosing to route part of their electronic arena ticket revenue back into the smaller venues that shaped their early careers.