UK Survey Shows Great Enthusiasm For Live Music Amidst Worrying Cost Development

An in-depth survey entitled “Music Fans Voice”, published today, provides insights into the behaviours, perceptions, concerns, motivations and opinions of the UK’s concert goers.

Results show support & enthusiasm for live music remains high, but concerns expressed around ticketing policies, event cancellations, venue closures and the rising cost of living.

This initiative builds on recommendations from the UK parliament’s Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee for a fan led review of live and electronic music, and was designed & implemented by market research firm CGA by NIQ.

It was commissioned by local authorities in eight UK cities including, Manchester, London, Liverpool, the Welsh capital of Cardiff, the Northern Irish capital of Belfast, Glasgow, Brighton & Hove, and others.

Using feedback from over 8,000 respondents around the country, collected between Feb. 3-March 4, the survey offers a comprehensive picture of the UK live music industry from a fan’s perspective.

The data collected has revealed an enduring enthusiasm and support for live music, with those surveyed highlighting a positive view of the sector:

• Over 99% of those surveyed agree that live music events are an important part of UK culture
• 95% believe that they are important in relation to the UKs international reputation.
• The majority interviewed (68%) felt that the UK is the world leader in live music events.

However, several areas of concern were also highlighted particularly around ticket resale, dynamic pricing and the secondary market, leading to a conclusion that this area of the live music industry needs reform:

• 97% of music fans believe that face value resale of tickets should be permitted.
• However, there was an overwhelming call for ticket re-selling at a higher price to be banned with 91% calling for legislation to end the practice.
• The same percentage also believe that dynamic pricing should be outlawed.
• Only 11% of those who had purchased dynamically priced tickets believe the concept was adequately communicated to them at point of sale.
• The survey also made clear that music fans care deeply about protecting the live music ecosystem for the future. Respondents demonstrated overwhelming support for interventions that recognise the important role of live music in society:
• 84% of fans saying they attended shows to support live music and artists
• 71% of respondents cited their support for their local music scene and local artists as a key reason for visiting venues.
• 94% of respondents believe that significant music venues and nightclubs should have some form of protected status.
• 93% of those surveyed strongly agreed or agreed that £1 from every stadium or arena show should go into a fund that directly supports the grassroots music sector. This correlates with recommendations made by the Culture Media & Sport Select Committee in 2024, that the live music industry introduce a voluntary levy to support grassroots artists, promoters and venues.

See: UK Government Backs Ticket Levy On Arena & Stadium Shows

Another worrying trend addressed was the decline in attendance of live music events, with over 50% of respondents citing cost of living/financial constraints as the key reason for not attending as many shows as they would like and 91% agreeing that lower ticket prices would encourage more attendance.

As the UK’s Featured Artists Coalition pointed out, “this pinpoints a dilemma for the vast majority of artists, who, as the sector’s biggest employers, need to balance accessible pricing with dramatically inflated show costs.”

Other key findings include:

• Artists are the primary reason for attendance at live shows: 88% of respondents (the top response) said they attend live music events to see their favourite artists perform. 87% said it was to hear their favourite music.
• Artists are the main driver of music discovery: more than 80% of respondents use artist websites or social media accounts to find out which live events to attend. Of those using social media, 95% are using the pages of artists, bands or DJs. These are the key methods of music discovery
• The majority of fans support artists by purchasing their merchandise: Across different kinds of live events, more than half of respondents said they have purchased artists’ merchandise. More than 20% said they purchased merchandise “almost every time” they attend a show. T-shirts are the most popular purchase, followed by vinyl records.

In summary, the “Music Fans Voice” survey concluded that the live music industry thrives on fan engagement and remains a vital and dynamic part of culture.

It found that fans are deeply invested in supporting live music, however rising financial pressures, dynamic pricing concerns and the closure of venues threaten long-term sustainability.

While music fans continue to attend events, it should be noted that many are becoming more selective due to affordability concerns, with flexible ticketing options and transparency around pricing emerging as crucial factors to address and maintain engagement.

A representative from The Greater Manchester Music Commission, one of the commissioners of ‘Music Fans Voice’, commented, “The Greater Manchester Music Commission is delighted to see the ‘Fan Voice Survey’ come to fruition. Music fans are the beating heart of the industry and should be valued and listened to. This unprecedented and invaluable piece of work places those fans at the centre of policy making and reaches overwhelming conclusions which underline both Commission-led projects and Greater Manchester’s pioneering strategies around culture, the nighttime economy, and place. Greater Manchester prides itself as being at the forefront in creating change, enabled by devolution, and recognises that music communities are the driving force of that change.”

Sam Duckworth, an artist who performs as Get Cape, Wear Cape, Fly, and a key instigator of this survey, added, “Music fans are the lifeblood of our industry and deserve to be at the epicentre of conversations about its present and its future. Through the collaborative efforts of the major music cities, they have been given a data driven seat at the top table. Ensuring that fans across the UK feel heard, respected and that the direction of travel takes into account their vital role in making sure that live music continues to be at the forefront of British Culture.”
Acclaimed UK artist Kate Nash said, “It’s amazing to have this feedback from music fans on this scale and in an official capacity. It’s clear that collectively we want and need to see changes. Music is important to culture and the people of the UK. Thousands of fans have spoken and now is the time to listen.”

David Martin, CEO of the UK’s Featured Artists Coalition, said, “The results of the Music Fans’ Voice Survey have one overriding message: the relationship between artists and fans provides the beating heart of live music. It’s their shared passion which drives music discovery, ticket sales, attendances, and in-venue spending.

“Clearly, many fans are feeling the financial pinch right now. It’s something we all need to be conscious of. But that makes it even more heartening that respondents put such an emphasis on supporting artists, whether through buying their merchandise and vinyl at shows or backing the concept of a ticket levy on arena and stadium events.

“The FAC hears that message loud and clear. It’s given us renewed vigour to crack on with our 100% Venues campaign, and to push harder for the blanket adoption of a ticket levy to support those most impacted by the cost of touring crisis in grassroots live music.”

Full survey results can be seen here: https://musicfansvoice.uk/results-2025

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