The UK music economy just hit a landmark. According to a new report from UK Music, the country's music tourism industry is now worth a record £11 billion, with international visitors flocking to concerts and festivals across the UK. The number underscores just how central live music has become to the wider tourism economy, at a moment when the sector is fighting hard to protect its grassroots venues.
The report tracks spending by music tourists (fans travelling outside their home town to see live music) across accommodation, food, drink and transport, on top of the ticket itself. The £11 billion headline number reflects both a strong return of international visitors and continued domestic demand for festivals like Glastonbury, Parklife, Creamfields and beyond. Notably, the surge lands even as many grassroots venues continue to struggle with rising costs and closures.
UK Music has been vocal in calling for policy support to keep the pipeline healthy, from the Music Venue Trust’s ongoing grassroots campaign to VAT relief conversations with the Treasury. The wider Music Venue Trust ecosystem is where the next generation of headliners is built, and any tourism figure that ignores that reality risks being a lagging indicator. Still, £11 billion is a serious number, and it puts live music firmly on the government’s radar as an economic driver.
Full report details are available here. The UK’s live music economy is bigger than ever.
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