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Ticketmaster & Fightback Lager unite to boost GMVs

Ticketmaster is teaming up with Fightback Lager to continue its support of emerging talent and local venues.

The companies are uniting in an effort to build audiences in venues that stock the lager brand, where a donation from each pint sold goes directly back to the UK’s Music Venue Trust (MVT).

Fightback Lager was established in 2018 to convert the connection between beer and live music into a sustainable source of income for MVT, which acts to protect, secure and improve grassroots music venues.

“Thanks to our friends at Ticketmaster, we’re able to shine a light on some of the shows happening week in, week out, where artists are growing audiences and building their careers,” says Fightback co-founder Denzil Thomas.

“Fightback’s support for Music Venue Trust allows all ‘Fightback Night’ shows to contribute vital cash to saving venues”

“Independent venues continue to face strong headwinds, meaning the work of MVT remains essential for the long haul. Despite the challenges, the grassroots remain defiant. We believe anything that brings stakeholders from across the live music industry to work together has the ability to make a real, long-term difference.”

Ticketmaster will highlight selected ‘Fightback Nights’, where venues are selling Fightback Lager, across their platforms to raise the profile of MVT and help keep more of the money spent on beer in grassroots venues invested in sustaining the live music ecosystem.

“All of us at Ticketmaster are delighted to partner with Fightback Lager on this initiative for the benefit of grassroots music venues and the exciting new talent they help develop,” adds John Wiltshire, head of Ticketmaster Clubs. “Fightback’s support for Music Venue Trust allows all ‘Fightback Night’ shows to contribute vital cash to saving venues. We welcome the opportunity to deliver value at the foundations of our live music industry.”

 


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Fightback Lager to launch crowdfunder at ILMC 33

Fightback Lager, the start-up beer brand which raises money for UK music venues, is launching a new crowdfunding bid at ILMC next week.

The company, which makes a donation Music Venue Trust from every pint sold, is the official beer partner of the International Live Music Conference for the third year running. ILMC 33 takes place in a virtual format next week (3–5 March).

“Beer and live music is one of the all-time great partnerships. We’re using that association to provide a sustainable income for Music Venue Trust from the grassroots venues it serves,” comments Fightback Brewing co-founder Rich Smith. “We’ve already proven the concept works and is well positioned for growth when audiences return to venues.

“The cultural importance and fragility of live music has never been more understood. Our vision is that on every occasion fans come together should support the foundations of live music.

“The ILMC partnership is the perfect platform to invite all levels of the music industry to invest in our crowdfund raise to share in our growth as we begin making that vision a reality.”

“The ILMC partnership is the perfect platform to invite all levels of the music industry to invest in our crowdfund raise”

Before the lockdown of March 2020, Fightback had sold more than 10,000 pints in 61 UK venues since launching in late 2018.

Its Crowdcube pitch aims to raise £200,000 in exchange for a just over 13% equity stake in the company.

“ILMC continues to be the premier opportunity for the world’s live music industry to assemble and get business done. This year’s virtual conference is no different as we focus on live entertainment’s post-Covid recovery,” says ILMC’s head of marketing, Chris Prosser.

“The grassroots scene is important to everyone. It’s great to be working with Fightback to offer our delegates refreshment and new opportunities.”

For more information or to invest in Fightback, visit www.crowdcube.com/fightback.

 


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Fightback Lager seeking to partner with more venues

Fightback Lager – of which every pint sold goes towards protecting the UK’s grassroots venues – has announced it is looking to secure more venue and other industry partners.

Fightback Lager launched at December’s Fightback Manchester festival with a mission to support, protect and improve UK grassroots music venues. Music Venue Trust receives a donation from every pint sold of the lager, which is brewed in Manchester’s ShinDigger brewery.

The beer is now looking for more partner venues.

Fightback Lager is an official pouring partner of next month’s International Live Music Conference (ILMC), taking place from 5 to 8 March. Fightback Lager is also served in five venues participating in Fightback Bristol, a two-week festival celebrating Bristol’s vital grassroots music venues taking place until 18 February.

Fightback Bristol will see more than 100 events take place at over 14 local grassroots music venues, promoting Bristol’s emerging and existing musical talent and encouraging audiences to visit the city’s grassroots venues.

“These venues are the backbone of the live music scene in Bristol, providing spaces where artists can take their first steps, develop and grow,” says Gary Prosser, director of Fightback Brewing Company.

“Fightback Bristol provides an opportunity to showcase the fantastic range of artists and venues that Bristol enjoys, celebrating the history of our music scene and supporting its future.”

Venues can register their interest in Fightback Lager here.

 


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Fightback Lager announces ILMC 31 partnership

Fightback Lager has entered into a partnership with this year’s International Live Music Conference (ILMC). The craft lager will be available for thirsty attendees of ILMC 31, which takes place from 5 to 8 March.

Fightback Lager launched in December 2018 with a mission to support, protect and improve UK grassroots music venues. Music Venue Trust receives a donation from every pint sold of the 4.6% craft lager, which is brewed in Manchester’s ShinDigger brewery.

The partnership with ILMC marks an ambition to extend the Fightback campaign to a wider music industry audience. It is the latest addition to an increasing portfolio of industry supporters.

“Grassroots music venues are where great musicians start glittering careers, and too many of these venues are facing a fight to survive. Fightback Lager is an example of grassroots venues creating solutions from within the community,” says Richard Smith, activation director at the Fightback Brewing Company.

“ILMC is the perfect platform to reach an audience which understands the crucial need to support the future of live music”

“ILMC is the perfect platform to reach an audience which understands the crucial need to support the future of live music. Maybe beer is the answer!”

Gary Prosser, creative director of the Fightback Brewing Company, adds: “We see this as a great opportunity to showcase our new lager to the delegates of ILMC, to establish new relationships and create new business for our product in the live music sector.”

ILMC 31, the leading gathering of the international live music business, takes place at the Royal Garden Hotel in west London from 5 to 8 March. Register for the event here.

 


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This beer saves venues: Fightback Lager launches

This month sees the launch of the Fightback Brewing Company, whose Fightback Lager aims to raise funds for UK grassroots music venues.

Every pint sold of the beer, a 4.6% craft lager brewed by Manchester’s ShinDigger brewery, will go to Music Venue Trust. It launched on Friday in venues participating in the Fightback Manchester festival (16 to 30 November), and will begin rolling out across venues UK-wide from December 2018.

Richard Smith, director of the Fightback Brewing Company, says: “We’ve been blown away by the enthusiasm for a beer that financially helps the sector. It made sense to all of us to create something that reflects the independent spirit of the grassroots music venue community.”

“Every penny donated to Music Venue Trust by Fightback beer goes directly to supporting a music venue in trouble”

Mark Davyd, CEO of Music Venue Trust, adds: “We are delighted that more and more companies and organisations are emerging with great concepts that can support the network of grassroots music venues to survive and hopefully thrive. Every penny donated to Music Venue Trust by Fightback beer goes directly to supporting a music venue in trouble, facing challenges or under threat of closure.“

“Fightback Lager is a natural addition to our Fightback regional events we have planned for the next year,” adds Gary Prosser who runs the Fightback events. “Any cause that can raise much needed funds to help our grassroots music venues is very welcome indeed.”

Venues can register their interest in Fightback Lager at fightbacklager.com.

 


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