Taylor Swift ticket tax ‘would boost Scottish culture sector’

Taylor Swift’s Scottish stadium gigs prove the need for a new ticket tax to support live music, it is claimed.

More than 67,000 people per night are expected to attend the US singer’s three dates at Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh this weekend.

Demand for the Eras Tour proves the need for a new ticket tax on big events to benefit the sector as a whole, the Scottish Greens say.

The call comes after a surge in grassroots music venue closures across the country, increasing from one closure in 2021 to 14 in 2023.

Figures by campaigners Music Venue Trust show a £1 levy on every ticket sale at Scotland’s two largest stadiums would generate £1m per year for grassroots music, artists and venues.

The Scottish Greens argue that with the Eras Tour numbers alone, the charge could have raised an estimated £200,000 for local venues.

Swift’s arrival to Edinburgh has caused a reaction in Scottish politics. Speaking after the re-naming of Loch Tay to “Loch Tay Tay” as a tribute to the singer, First Minister John Swinney described the move as “just fabulous” and said that Swift would receive a “warm welcome” in Scotland.

Mark Ruskell MSP, Scottish Greens culture spokesperson, said: “All over Scotland, there are fantastic artists and music venues who are feeling the strain like never before. There are iconic venues that have provided a starting ground for some of the biggest artists in the world. A small £1 charge on the biggest stadium-packing gigs like Taylor Swift at Murrayfield could have a transformative impact on our industry and culture.”