Live music hit $27 billion in 2024 – with fewer events but higher ticket prices driving the growth [IMS Ibiza 2025 Report]

Live music revenues hit new highs in 2024, driven by higher ticket prices and demand for premium experiences.

At IMS Ibiza 2025, as the conversation shifted from digital trends to real-world experiences, the IMS Business Report confirmed that live music has entered a new phase. After a massive post-pandemic surge, 2024 saw a return to more sustainable, but still elevated, growth.

Total live music revenue rose to new highs, despite a drop in the number of events per venue. The difference-maker? Ticket prices. Fans continued to pay premium rates for headline acts and big-venue experiences. Presales for 2025 helped buoy the sector further, proving that appetite for in-person events remains strong—even as consumer spending becomes more selective.

Live is no longer recovering – it’s thriving, just in a different shape than before.

At the top end, the market is thriving. Tours by major artists sold out quickly, while smaller venues and niche promoters faced growing challenges, from rising costs to declining attendance in some regions. The report also noted the $1.4 billion acquisition of Superstruct, which owns major festivals like Awakenings and Sónar, as a milestone deal highlighting the commercial value of electronic-focused events.

This is a new normal: fewer shows, higher stakes, and an audience that still craves connection – just on different terms.

You can download the IMS Business Report, written by Mark Mulligan and MIDiA research here.