Live music tourism in the UK surged last year, with 24.7 million ‘music tourists’ attending concerts and festivals, a 4.8% increase on 2024, according to new data from industry body UK Music.
The total includes 22.6 million domestic music tourists, defined as people who travelled a significant distance within the UK to attend events, and 2.1 million international visitors. Combined spending by these concertgoers reached £11.2 billion, an 11.3% year-on-year rise.
Direct expenditure on tickets, travel, accommodation and meals accounted for £5.7 billion, while indirect spending by event organisers and service providers contributed a further £5.5 billion. UK Music estimates that music tourism supported 74,000 full-time equivalent jobs in the live sector, up 3% on 2024.
Performers including Oasis, Beyoncé, Dua Lipa, Coldplay, Lana Del Rey and Kendrick Lamar were among the key acts driving the figures. UK Music chief executive Tom Kiehl described the results as “a huge shot in the arm for towns and cities right across the UK”.
At the report’s launch, Kiehl called for more government action on ticket touting, Brexit-related red tape and the challenges facing grassroots music venues.
