Signature Brew, the team has teamed up with iconic British amplifier brand Orange Amplification to launch a special edition of Backstage IPA.
Available exclusively in independent music pubs and venues on draught and in specially redesigned cans as well as from Signature Brew’s webshop, all profits from every pint sold in participating venues will be donated to the Featured Artists Coalition, the UK representative body for music artists, to support its work such as the UK Artist Touring fund (UKAT).
The UKAT fund, which launched in March 2026, is already supporting artists through the “cost of touring crisis” and helping keep more live shows on the road in a time where fuel costs are rocketing, alongside rising costs in van hire, accommodation and food; many grassroots musicians make a loss on tours and profits often come from merchandise sold at shows rather than the gigs themselves.
In April, the FAC revealed the first 26 artists who will benefit from the fund’s unique form of “top-up” investment. Backstage IPA is a bold and punchy modern IPA which perfectly blends the best of East and West Coast styles, stacked with passionfruit, tangerines and berries with pine and crisp citrus notes.
The beer is live now and pouring in independent music venues across the UK, including: Birkenhead, Molly’s Chambers and Northern Power House; Leeds, Morley Live; London, Fabwick, Strongroom, Hackney Church, Wombats, Blue Monk and The Fighting Cocks Kingston; Manchester, New Century Hall; Wallasey, Wellington Music Venue; Wolverhampton, Dive and York Fulford Arms and Artful Dodger, with a growing list of participating venues to be announced.
Tom Bott, founder and managing director of Signature Brew, said: “In an increasingly digital world, taking time to come together and experience something live, unique, and curated by and for the community is precious and worth protecting.
“Grassroots venues are where scenes are built, artists are developed, and culture moves forward. This collaboration is about backing those spaces in a meaningful, practical way.”
Managing Director of Orange Amps, Sarah Yule, commented: “By partnering with Signature Brew and the FAC, we hope to create a tangible help for artists. We also hope this collaboration rallies the broader industry to come together and do what they can to protect our grassroots and emerging music scenes in the UK and beyond. If we can help just one more artist make touring viable, I’ll raise a pint to that!”
Gus Unger-Hamilton, alt-J & FAC Director added: “This an incredibly powerful gesture from Signature Brew and Orange Amps. We are extremely grateful for the recognition of our work protecting and supporting the UK’s artist community through initiatives like the UK Artist Touring fund.
“The UK’s live music ecosystem is in a precarious place right now, but we know that UKAT’s targeted investment into artists’ touring activity is one of most effective ways to help the sector. If artists can sustain themselves on the road, it means more musicians and live professionals will be employed, more venues get booked and more audiences experience live music.”
The campaign will be supported by a coordinated launch across venues, festival activations throughout the summer, and artist ambassador shout-outs, before culminating in an autumn celebration show at Signature Brew.
Orange also plans to offer various support packages for all participating venues, plus ongoing programs like “Spotlight”, to continue to champion the next generation of talent, ensuring that the music of tomorrow sounds as bold as the legends of the past.
