Folded Wing, alongside the All-Party Parliamentary Jazz Appreciation Group (APPJAG) and Tomorrow’s Warriors, ensured jazz fans and the grassroots community were represented in the Fan-Led Review of Live and Electronic Music, published on 17th April 2026.
Read moreThe 93-page review, chaired by Lord Brennan of Canton and commissioned by the Culture, Media and Sport Committee, places fans at the heart of how the live music industry operates. Following engagement with thousands of music fans across the country, the review sets out a new Fans’ Charter with nearly 50 recommendations under seven key principles: celebration, ticketing, grassroots, safety, accessibility, transport and voice.
The review’s survey of over 4,000 fans found that 41% had attended a jazz concert in person – on a level with classical music and higher than hip hop and rap, blues, R&B, reggae and country. Folded Wing gathered evidence from jazz fans, producers and promoters to make sure jazz voices were heard in this national conversation.
Jazz contributions featured in the report include:
• Evidence from promoters that 150-capacity venues which used to sell 100–130 tickets are now selling just 40–50 on average
• One promoter scaling back shows with emerging artists by 90% due to financial losses
• Concerns about regional inequality, with a promoter asking “where are the Tomorrow’s Warriors and the Kinetika Blocos of the counties?”
• The need for late-night transport infrastructure, with the report noting that “jazz happens late”
• APPJAG’s evidence on funding inequality – jazz received just 2% of Arts Council England’s music budget in 2023–24, compared to 49% for opera
• Tomorrow’s Warriors highlighting the lack of pathways for young promoters
Karen Pearson, CEO of Folded Wing, said:
“Jazz doesn’t always get a seat at the table. I’m grateful to Lord Brennan for genuinely listening, and I didn’t take that lightly. Folded Wing put together a submission that gathered voices beyond my own – the promoters, producers and fans on the ground. I’m proud that we were part of this alongside APPJAG and Tomorrow’s Warriors, and that the UK jazz community’s voice is in this report.”
Folded Wing gathered evidence from across Essex, London, Leeds and Newcastle, including contributions from jazz fans and producers working on Folded Wing’s jazz content – Karen Pearson, Makeda Krish, Karl Bos and Tom Rees – as well as Leeds promoter Lubi Jovanovic and Southend Jazz Festival director Darren Harper.
Read the full report here>
