Research by UK Music reveals a significant increase in fans travelling to see top acts
An estimated 18.2 million people from towns and cities throughout the UK travelled to attend concerts and festivals in 2023, according to a report by UK Music.
This represents a 36% rise on the previous year when 13.3 million people made similar journeys.
Beyoncé, Harry Styles, and Britpop group Blur were among the high-profile acts that attracted large crowds in various venues across the UK.
Glastonbury, Boomtown, and TRNSMT festivals also contributed to the surge in music tourism.
The number of foreign tourists participating in musical tours and performances decreased by about 45,000 from the previous year, resulting in a count of 1,014,000 attendees.
The total music tourism spending reached £8 billion last year, marking a substantial increase of 21% compared to the £6.6 billion spent in 2022.
While music generates significant economic benefits for local areas, smaller acts are facing increased challenges.
'While music generates huge benefits for our local areas, beyond a handful of very successful musicians the opportunities for many artists are becoming increasingly squeezed.'
Tom Kiehl
Tom Kiehl, UK Music CEO, expressed concern about opportunities for many artists beyond successful musicians becoming increasingly limited.
The Music Venue Trust reported a record-breaking year of closures in 2023, with 125 spaces stopping live performances.
Approximately 50 festivals overseen by the Association of Independent Festivals will not take place or have been pushed back to 2024 in the United Kingdom.
'The UK's thriving music industry continues to be one of our most powerful global exports and an important driver of economic growth.'
Lisa Nandy
Lisa Nandy, Culture Secretary, emphasized the importance of the UK music industry as a powerful global export and economic driver.
Impact on the Music Industry
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