Taylor Swift, Charli XCX, Bruce Springsteen, Sam Fender and Dua Lipa were among the acts who helped draw a record 23.5 million music tourists to concerts and festivals in the UK in 2024, a new report from UK Music reveals.
Music tourists spent a record £10 billion in 2024 – a 26% increase on the 2023 total spend of £8 billion, according to UK Music’s Hometown Glory report published today (July 1).
UK Music published the research to show the value of concerts and festivals to the economy in each of the UK’s nations and regions and outlined in its report the vital importance of helping the music industry continue to grow everywhere.
In 2024, a record 23.5 million music tourists – up 23% on 2023’s total of 19.2 million – enjoyed live music concerts and festivals in the UK. Of the 23.5 million total, 21.9 million were music tourists from the UK – a 21% rise on 2023. A total of 1.6 million visitors last year were overseas music tourists – up 62% on the 2023 total of one million.
As well as the UK festival sector including Dua Lipa at Glastonbury last year, Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour helped drive the 2024 figures to a new high.
Charli XCX, who had a breakthrough year with her album Brat, stepped up to arenas for the first time in 2024. Other acts boosting the number of music tourists included Sam Fender, Olivia Rodrigo, Chappell Roan, Girls Aloud, The Killers, Doja Cat, Foo Fighters, Burna Boy and Bruce Springsteen.
This year’s Oasis Live ’25 Tour starting on July 4 is set to continue the growth trend.
Music tourists supported 72,000 full-time equivalent jobs in the live music sector in 2024 – up 16% on the 2023 total of 62,000. The jobs are a key part of the wider music eco-system that also includes the UK’s music studios, record labels, music publishers and other music businesses.
Music tourism spending is made up of £5.1 billion spent directly by music tourists attending concerts and festivals in the UK, including the cost of a ticket, on-site spend, travel, accommodation, and meals while travelling to events. A further £4.9 billion was spent indirectly through the value chain, including costs such as fencing and security or a restaurant paying for ingredients.
The Hometown Glory report builds on UK Music’s work looking at regional economic trends and provides new insights and strategies to grow music scenes and industries at a local level across the country.
The report outlines how music has the power to regenerate places, support skilled employment, and promote the UK’s global cultural leadership.
Local music ecosystems stimulate the economy by “boosting footfall, powering the hospitality and retail sectors, and creating vibrant places that attract residents, visitors, and investment,” said a statement. “They also provide vital opportunities for those looking to enter the industry to learn their craft.”
However, the UK music industry faces a number of significant challenges including the rising cost of touring in the UK and overseas, the threat of more closures to grassroots music venues and the cost-of-living crisis facing many music fans.
There are challenges facing our sector, such as the rising cost of touring for artists and the threat of closure looming over venues, studios and other music spaces
Tom Kiehl
According to the Association of Independent Festivals’ 2025 Festival Forecast Report, 250 festivals ceased to operate between 2019 and June 2025. The new research identified 592 music festivals in the UK in 2025, of which 360 are green field festivals and 232 are single venue or multi-venue festivals.
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said: “These numbers show just how powerful the UK is as a home for live music – attracting the biggest acts, drawing in millions of fans, and giving a real boost to local economies through tourism and jobs. Whether it’s a massive stadium show or a packed-out local venue, music is bringing people together and making a huge difference.
“We’re incredibly proud of our music industry. It’s one of our greatest exports, it inspires young people everywhere, and it’s part of who we are as a country. That’s why we announced a £30 million Music Growth Package last week – to support emerging talent, protect the venues that give them a start, and make sure our music scene keeps growing and reaching new heights.”
UK Music chief executive Tom Kiehl said: “In 2024, our fantastic UK music industry pulled in 23.5 million music tourists who spent £10 billion to see their favourite acts and performers right across the UK.
“But while music generates huge benefits for our local areas, there remain a number of challenges facing our sector such as the rising cost of touring for artists and the threat of closure looming over venues, studios and other music spaces.
“From Lands’ End to John O’Groats, all communities have the potential for thriving and diverse music sectors and can offer something unique. At a time when government is seeking growth, it is crucial to empower local leaders to make this happen to help boost our artists, creators, venues, studios and music businesses.
“The Local Music Action Charter, launched in this report, will embolden local actors, particularly in the face of change and disruption, to support sustained growth, and enable those that form part of our local music industries to truly fulfil their potential.”
Councillor Liz Green, Chair of the Local Government Association’s Culture, Tourism and Sport Board, said: “These record-breaking figures show just how important live music is – not just for our local economies, but for the happiness of our communities. Councils up and down the country are proud to back the artists, venues and festivals that bring people together and put our towns and cities on the map.
“UK Music’s Hometown Glory report is a timely reminder that investing in local music isn’t just good sense – it’s a way to boost pride in place and breathe new life into our high streets. We’re committed to working with local partners to make sure music continues to thrive in every corner of the UK.”
PHOTO: Dua Lipa, Glastonbury 2024 (Getty Images/Joe Maher)
Leave feedback about this