Christopher BarrettDespite Glastonbury Festival taking a fallow year, Live Nation said this summer is proving to be the biggest yet for live music, with 4.3m fans attending its live events alone this month.
The world’s biggest promoter said this week and next are shaping up to be the busiest of the year, with roughly 1 million fans attending shows each weekend. It suggested that it was not just the huge shows, such as Harry Styles’ 12-date Wembley Stadium run, making an impact, with 44% of its London shows this summer being in grassroots and club venues under 1,500 capacity.
Among the key shows for the promoter this weekend are Bad Bunny in London (the first Latin artist to headline a UK stadium), Metallica in Cardiff, Lewis Capaldi and Teddy Swims in Exeter, McFly at Cannock Chase, Staffordshire and The Lumineers in Glasgow. And of course, Harry Styles.
Live Nation said it is hosting headliners in the UK from nearly every continent, including Harry Styles, Bad Bunny, Bruno Mars, The Weeknd, BTS, Bon Jovi and Ariana Grande: “This global list of artists, the most international yet, reflects the UK’s role as a must-play destination on the international touring circuit.”
“This month, 4.3 million people will be at Live Nation events across the UK and Ireland, with one million people enjoying concerts and festivals this weekend alone,” said Live Nation UK & Ireland chairman Denis Desmond.
“What matters is what sits behind those numbers. It is the artists putting on incredible shows for their fans, and people meeting old friends, making new ones, discovering new music and making memories together. At the same time, live music is contributing to the economy and supporting businesses, from pubs and restaurants to hotels, shops and transport.”