Christopher BarrettLive shows by artists including Bruce Springsteen, Charli XCX, Dua Lipa, Sam Fender and Taylor Swift helped lure a record 23.5 million music tourists to the UK last year, according to a new report.
Music tourists spent a record £10 billion in 2024, a 26% increase on 2023’s £8 billion, according to UK Music’s newly published Hometown Glory report, which outlines the value of concerts and festivals to the economy in each of the UK’s nations and regions.
UK Music said the record 23.5m music tourists last year was up 23% on 2023’s 19.2m. Of the 23.5m, 21.9m were music tourists from within the UK, with the remaining 1.6m being overseas music tourists – up 62% on the 2023.
The research found that music tourists supported 72,000 full-time equivalent jobs in the live music sector in 2024, up 16% on 62,000 the previous year.
London led the regions in terms of receiving the highest number of music tourists, with 7.5m, followed by the North West (3.3m) and South West (2.5m). Scotland attracted 2.3m music tourists and Wales saw 834,000 last year.
With the aim of encouraging further growth, UK Music has launched the Local Music Action Charter alongside the report. CEO Tom Kiehl said the charter would “Embolden local actors, particularly in the face of change and disruption, to support sustained growth, and enable those that form part of our local music industries to truly fulfil their potential.”
Local authorities that sign to the charter will receive benefits including involvement in UK Music policy briefings and forums enabling the sharing of best practice.
UK Music said the report outlines how music has the power to regenerate places, support skilled employment, and promote the UK’s global cultural leadership: “It argues that supporting local music can be a key tool in strengthening communities and driving local and national pride, while simultaneously providing the support the music industry needs to thrive.”
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said the research findings illustrate how powerful the UK is as a home for live music: “We’re incredibly proud of our music industry. It’s one of our greatest exports, it inspires young people everywhere, and it’s part of who we are as a country. That’s why we announced a £30 million Music Growth Package last week – to support emerging talent, protect the venues that give them a start, and make sure our music scene keeps growing and reaching new heights.”
Along with the economic benefits, UK Music’s Hometown Glory report also outlines the importance of live music to people and their wellbeing. Polling of more than 2,000 people carried out by Whitestone Insight and commissioned by UK Music found:
- 42% of those questioned said it was important to them to have access to music events within reasonable distance of where they live. UK Music said the figure is equivalent to more than 22m adults.
- 59% feel that ‘Local music should be better supported by the council’. A similar proportion (60%) agree that ‘Empty or underused spaces in my town should be opened up for music and cultural use’.
- Music is also widely seen as regenerative, with 62% who agree ‘Music, nightlife, and music spaces (e.g. recording studios) should be part of how we bring life back to the high street’.
- Coordinating public services is important to people, with 50% of all adults saying that ‘I’d be more likely to go to music events if public transport matched event times better’, including 38% of over-75s.
- Some 69% agreed that ‘If new homes are built near a music venue, it should be the responsibility of the builder to make sure noise isn’t a problem, not the venue’s job to change or close’.
Kiehl said, “In 2024, our fantastic UK music industry pulled in 23.5 million music tourists who spent £10 billion to see their favourite acts and performers right across the UK.
“But while music generates huge benefits for our local areas, there remain a number of challenges facing our sector such as the rising cost of touring for artists and the threat of closure looming over venues, studios and other music spaces.
“From Lands’ End to John O’Groats, all communities have the potential for thriving and diverse music sectors and can offer something unique. At a time when Government is seeking growth, it is crucial to empower local leaders to make this happen to help boost our artists, creators, venues, studios and music businesses.
“The Local Music Action Charter, launched in this report, will embolden local actors, particularly in the face of change and disruption, to support sustained growth, and enable those that form part of our local music industries to truly fulfil their potential.”