Key facts
- A record 24.7 million music tourists attended UK concerts and festivals in the past year.
- This influx of music tourists generated £11.2 billion in spending across the UK economy.
- The number of overseas music tourists saw a significant surge of 27%, reaching 2.1 million.
- The Oasis reunion tour was a major contributor, with fans spending over £1 billion on the shows.
- London saw a 27.4% increase in music tourism spending, accounting for over 30% of the total.
A record 24.7 million music tourists attended concerts and festivals in the UK last year, contributing an unprecedented £11.2 billion to the economy. The surge in attendees, a 4.8% increase from the previous year, was significantly boosted by a 27% rise in overseas visitors to 2.1 million.
Several major artists, including Oasis, Coldplay, and Lana Del Rey, played exclusive UK dates, drawing international fans. The Oasis reunion tour, in particular, was highlighted for its profitability and impact, with fans spending over £1 billion. This contributed to a 16% year-on-year rise in music tourist spending in the North-West to £1.4 billion.
London saw a substantial increase in music tourism spending, up 27.4% to £3.4 billion, accounting for over 30% of the national total. The report also noted that the number of full-time equivalent jobs in live music increased by 3% to 74,000.
Creative industries minister Ian Murray stated that the figures demonstrate the UK's strength in the music industry and affirmed the government's commitment to supporting the sector, including tackling ticket touts and improving touring opportunities for UK artists in Europe. UK Music's chief executive, Tom Kiehl, emphasized the economic boost for towns and cities across the UK but urged government action against ticket touts.