Many who otherwise couldn't afford a £40 show, let alone a £300 festival ticket, have accessed gigs because of a new initiative called The Ticket Bank.

In this episode, DiS founder Sean Adams meets Jack from Tickets for Good and The Ticket Bank to understand how they're redistributing access to live music. From seeing empty seats at the O2 to a partnership with Barnardo's, followed by offering tickets to NHS workers, teachers, and carers, Jack explains how the infrastructure works, who it serves, and why more artists and venues need to get involved.

The conversation covers touring economics, dynamic pricing myths, and the uncomfortable reality that an industry generating billions still prices out the people who need culture most. If you're singing about inequality, why would you only perform for those who can afford it?

It’s an inspiring chat about who builds community, how change happens, and who the next generation of artists might not be without projects like this.

This podcast is brought to you in partnership with Qobuz, the ethical music streaming platform. Visit drownedinsound.org/playlists to discover new music in Hi-Res lossless quality and start your 30-day free trial at qobuz.com/dis. 

This week's companion playlist features calm, ambient music from the community's picks of the best post-classical, drone, and ambient records. Two hours of peaceful listening to help you through the fog. 

Edited by: 

Josh Craggs at Dubble Audio

Get Involved

For artists, promoters, managers, venues: Contact Jack directly to discuss partnerships Email: jack@theticketbank.org 

For eligible audiences: Register via Tickets for Good or the Ticket Bank. New events added daily around 9am.

• Tickets for Good: https://ticketsforgood.co.uk
• Ticket Bank: https://theticketbank.org

For everyone else:

• Share this episode with musicians, venues, and local promoters
• Tag artists in the comments and ask if they've heard of the Ticket Bank
• Send to your MP or local council about arts access
• If you know someone who might qualify, subtly share the links

Continue the Conversation

Join the Drowned in Sound community to discuss this episode http://community.drownedinsound.com 

Subscribe to the Drowned in Sound newsletter for weekly essays, interviews, and insights exploring music, culture, and collective power. http://drownedinsound.org 

Links & Resources

• Tickets for Good: https://ticketsforgood.co.uk 
• Ticket Bank: https://theticketbank.org 
• Music Venue Trust: https://www.musicvenuetrust.com

Chapters

00:00 - Introduction: Why access to live music matters

01:20 - Empty seats at the O2: The origins of Tickets for Good

05:10 - Cost-of-living tickets and breaking industry stigma

07:00 - From Tickets for Good to the Ticket Bank

12:00 - How eligibility and verification work

16:00 - Touring economics and the dynamic pricing myth

18:15 - How artists, promoters, and managers can help

22:15 - Mental health, social prescribing, and cultural value

24:45 - What £500 million could fix

27:15 - Grassroots venues and inspiring the next generation

31:00 - How to register, donate tickets, or get involved

33:30 - Outro: Your mission