London-based brewery Signature Brew has partnered with Orange Amplification and the Featured Artists Coalition (FAC) to launch a special edition of Backstage IPA aimed at supporting grassroots music venues and touring artists across the UK.
The limited collaboration beer, announced on May 6, 2026, will be sold exclusively in independent music venues on draught and in redesigned cans. According to the companies, all profits from participating venue sales will be donated to the FAC to help fund artist support initiatives, including the recently launched UK Artist Touring (UKAT) fund.
Backstage IPA Designed to Support Live Music
The UKAT fund, introduced in March 2026, was created to address rising touring costs affecting independent and emerging artists. In April, the FAC confirmed the first 26 artists to receive support through the program’s “top-up” investment model.
Backstage IPA itself is described as a modern IPA combining East and West Coast brewing styles, featuring notes of passionfruit, tangerine, berries, pine, and citrus. The beer is already available in selected independent venues across the UK, with additional participating locations expected to be announced in the coming months.
Tom Bott, Founder and Managing Director of Signature Brew, said the initiative reflects the importance of preserving live music spaces in an increasingly digital entertainment landscape.
“Grassroots venues are where scenes are built, artists are developed, and culture moves forward,” Bott said.
Orange Amplification Highlights Industry Support
Sarah Yule, Managing Director of Orange Amps, said the partnership aims to provide practical support for artists while encouraging broader industry collaboration.
“If we can help just one more artist make touring viable, I’ll raise a pint to that,” Yule commented.
FAC Director and alt-J member Gus Unger-Hamilton described the campaign as a significant contribution to the UK live music ecosystem, which continues to face financial pressure.
According to Unger-Hamilton, targeted touring investment can help sustain artists while also supporting venues, promoters, and live music professionals throughout the sector.
Festival Activations and Venue Support Planned
The campaign will expand throughout summer 2026 with venue launches, festival activations, and artist ambassador promotions before culminating in an autumn celebration event hosted by Signature Brew.
Orange Amplification also confirmed plans to provide additional support packages for participating venues alongside its existing “Spotlight” initiatives focused on emerging artists.
The companies said the collaboration reflects their longstanding connection to the live music industry, from rehearsal spaces to festival stages.
Backstage IPA is available now through selected UK independent music venues and via Signature Brew’s official website.
About Orange Amps
Orange Amps, a British pioneering force in the audio world, has a reputation for delivering innovative technology, built with uncompromising attention to detail and quality. From classic guitar and bass amplifiers to original and inventive consumer goods, Orange products cover everything from performance to playback. With a sonic legacy spanning nearly 60 years, Orange’s renowned British Tone has been relied on by some of the world’s greatest rock icons, including Jimmy Page, Stevie Wonder, James Brown, Fleetwood Mac, Oasis, Madonna, Jim Root and Geddy Lee.
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