UK Music’s Hometown Glory report, released July 1, reveals that music tourism in the UK hit an all-time high in 2024. A record 23.5 million “music tourists” flocked to concerts and festivals, an increase of roughly 23 percent year on year, generating a total spend of £10 billion, up from around £8 billion in 2023
Key highlights
- 23.5 million music tourists—21.9 million domestic (+21%) and 1.6 million international (+62%) visitors.
- £5.1 billion was spent directly by fans on tickets, travel, accommodation, food, and on-site purchases. An additional £4.9 billion came via indirect spending – security, logistics, hospitality supply chains.
- The surge supported roughly 72,000 full‑time equivalent jobs in live music, marking a 16 percent increase
What propelled this boom?
Heavyweights like Taylor Swift (Eras Tour), Charli XCX, Bruce Springsteen, Sam Fender, Dua Lipa, Olivia Rodrigo, Foo Fighters, and The Killers anchored this momentum. Major festivals including Glastonbury, Download, and more also played a role.
This surge isn’t just good news for artists and promoters. According to UK Music:
Local music ecosystems stimulate the economy by boosting footfall, powering hospitality and retail, and creating vibrant places that attract visitors, residents, and investment.
London leads but regional impact grows
London drew 7.5 million music tourists, generating £2.7 billion in spending. The north‑west and south‑west of England also saw strong audiences and economic benefits
Challenges and risks ahead
Despite the record figures, UK Music CEO Tom Kiehl flagged key concerns:
- Rising touring costs for artists
- Threats to grassroots venues, studios, and live spaces
- Recent loss of 250 festivals since 2019.
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy added:
These numbers show 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.
She also reminded us of the £30 million Music Growth Package, aimed at supporting emerging artists and safeguarding vital venues.
Looking ahead, UK Music hopes the upcoming Oasis reunion tour, kicking off in Cardiff, will sustain this momentum
How this matters to the UK music industry
- For artists & managers: Touring in the UK now carries significant economic weight, underlining why major venues and festivals remain key components of strategy.
- For venue operators: This is a strong argument to pitch to local authorities—live music isn’t just art, it’s economic development.
- For music service providers (production, logistics): A £10 billion ecosystem signals opportunity for expansion in supply chains.
- For policy‑makers: The decline in grassroots venues and rising costs demand urgent attention.
