Live music attendance in the United Kingdom (UK) 2011-2018

In 2018, nearly 30 million people attended live music events in the United Kingdom (UK), up from 29.1 million the year before. The live music sector has experienced significant growth during the past decade before coming to a drastic halt amidst the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in 2020.

Music festivals in the UK

Festivals have become a vital part of the UK’s live music industry. Since 2012, UK festival attendance figures have almost doubled, reaching a record 5.2 million in 2019. This boost in visitor numbers comes as no surprise, considering that the UK is home to some of the most recognized and celebrated music festivals worldwide. Glastonbury, the largest festival in the UK, draws thousands of visitors from the UK and abroad every year. Despite Glastonbury’s ticket prices also rising every year, tickets are usually sold out within minutes.

Live music is a money maker

Music fans spend good money to see their favorite acts perform on stage, making live music not only an integral part of the cultural scene but also an essential driver of economic growth. In 2019, music tourism contributed approximately 4.7 billion British pounds in direct and indirect spending to the UK economy. While many regions profit from an increase in audience sizes and spending, London saw the highest music tourist expenditures across the UK in 2019.