Live Nation & FAE launch new initiative for grassroots and University venues featuring Gene Gallagher’s Villanelle

Live Nation & FAE Group, a creative investment and services platform operating in music & fashion, have joined forces to launch PUNCHBAG UNI: The University Tour, a 15-date run in partnership with universities and some of the UK’s longest standing grassroots venues.

Kickstarting today in Exeter, the initiative represents a reinvestment in the future of live music and grassroots venues, putting live shows back at the heart of university culture. Recognised as the unsung heroes of the live music sector, these spaces have been instrumental in discovering and nurturing the next generation of talent but are in need of increased funding and protection. Additionally in recent years, student life has shifted heavily toward electronic and DJ nights, leaving live bands with fewer opportunities to play.

PUNCHBAG UNI is designed to help reverse that trend, putting funding, resources and audiences back into these venues while celebrating the emerging bands that are reinvigorating the UK music scene. By combining the scale of Live Nation with the artist expertise of FAE Group, this initiative provides vital financial support and investment in these communities, who have long been the breeding ground for future stars, from Radiohead, Nirvana and The Smiths to Queen, Ed Sheeran and Taylor Swift.

Denis Desmond, Chairman Live Nation UK and Ireland says: ‘Developing artistes has always been at the heart of what we do, and this new imitative will pump funding directly into the grassroots touring ecosystem. Universities have historically been where up and coming bands honed their skills, and where young generations of gig goers feel in love with music. PUNCHBAG UNI: The University Tour marks a renewed commitment to bringing live music back to the forefront of University life.’

FAE Group founder and CEO Sarah Stennett says; ‘When some of the recent graduates in my team told me they had never experienced live guitar music during their time at university, I was taken aback. Many moons ago, back in my days at Nottingham Uni, I was lucky enough to see bands like Simple Minds, The Smiths and The Cure there, which really inspired me. So, I tasked my team to see if there was an appetite from Student Unions and the student community to book bands as part of an overall initiative. I was encouraged when feedback from our early approaches confirmed there’s a real enthusiasm for guitar music within the university community. It’s not that the interest isn’t there, it’s simply not been made available to them. This tour, which we intend to repeat annually, will offer a rare platform for emerging bands to play in front of audiences we believe are thirsty for an alternative to DJ-driven nights.’

Gene Gallagher says, ‘We’re excited to be playing the grassroot venues. This is where it all starts.’ For Bino Bames and Florentenes, the tour represents a missing link for their generation. Bino adds, ‘For me, it’s about proving that young artists can bring something fresh and fearless to the stage, this tour is about connecting with people our age and showing them the future of live music belongs to us’. Florentenes’ lead singer Will Smith echoes that sentiment, saying, ‘Taking this Uni Tour on the road feels like a real statement, it shows that live music is alive and kicking on campus. Universities have always been a breeding ground for new sounds and new energy, and we’re proud to be part of that tradition. For us, it’s not just about playing gigs; it’s about reminding people that bands are back and live music is worth supporting.’ This energy is shared by Die Twice frontman Olly Bayton, who adds, ‘I think the concept of the Uni Tour is what’s been missing for a long time for young people. Love of music, sweat, dancing and real-life connection is what we and our generation craves, so it’s great we get to be part of it!’

Tickets available exclusively from student platform .tbc  : HERE