UK Music Report: Music Tourist Spend Reaches Record $13BN In 2024

Tourists traveling to and within the UK in 2024 to experience music events spent a record £10 billion ($13.7 billion) in 2024, according to the “Hometown Glory” report published July 1 by the country’s trade body UK Music.

That figure was generated by a record 23.5 million music tourists lured in by Taylor Swift, Charli XCX, Bruce Springsteen, Sam Fender, Dua Lipa, and many more, who performed at concerts and festivals in the UK in 2024.

The £10 billion figure represents a 26% increase on the 2023 total spend of £8 billion, the report states.

23.5 million music tourists are 23% more on 2023’s total of 19.2 million. 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.

The report defines a domestic music tourist as someone traveling from within the UK to see live music events, provided they traveled more than three times an average commute for the relevant region. A foreign music tourist is someone traveling from outside the UK to attend an event in the UK.

Taylor Swift’s “Eras Tour” was a big pull for overseas tourists, according to a press release summarizing the report’s findings, as was Charli XCX, who stepped up to arenas for the first time in 2024. Other acts drawing large crowds included Sam Fender, Olivia Rodrigo, Chappell Roan, Girls Aloud, The Killers, Doja Cat, Foo Fighters, Burna Boy, and Bruce Springsteen.

Popular festivals acting as crowd magnets included Glastonbury, Download, and Boardmasters.

According to the report, “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 world class 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 traveling 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 report outlines how music has “the power to regenerate places, support skilled employment, and promote the UK’s global cultural leadership. It argues that supporting local music can be a key tool in strengthening communities and driving local and national pride, while simultaneously providing the support the music industry needs to thrive.”

Local music ecosystems stimulate the economy by boosting footfall, powering hospitality and retail, and creating vibrant places that attract residents, visitors, and investment. 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.

According to the Association of Independent Festivals’ 2025 Festival Forecast Report, 250 festivals ceased to operate between 2019 and June 2025. 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.

As well as the economic benefits of music, UK Music’s “Hometown Glory” report also shows the importance of live music to people and their wellbeing. A poll of more than 2,000 people, commissioned by UK Music found, and carried out by Whitestone Insight, produced the following results:

• 42% of those questioned say it was important to them to have access to music events within reasonable distance of where they live
• 59% feel that ‘Local music should be better supported by the council’. A similar proportion (60%) agree that ‘Empty or underused spaces in my town should be opened up for music and cultural use’
• Music is widely seen as regenerative, with 62% agreeing, that ‘Music, nightlife, and music spaces (e.g. recording studios) should be part of how we bring life back to the high street’
• Coordinating public services is important to people, with 50% of adult respondents saying that ‘I’d be more likely to go to music events if public transport matched event times better’, including 38% of over-75s
• 69% agree that ‘If new homes are built near a music venue, it should be the responsibility of the builder to make sure noise isn’t a problem, not the venue’s job to change or close’

UK Music’s “Hometown Glory” report can be read and downloaded in full here.

Comments:

Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy: “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: “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: “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.”

Gary Hutchinson, executive vice president – global touring & content at OVG International: “These record-breaking figures show how powerful live music is for the UK – driving billions into local economies and putting cities like Manchester firmly on the global stage. We believe great cities need brilliant venues to draw the biggest and best acts. Co-op Live has proven this by welcoming 1.5 million fans and generating over £340 million for Manchester in its first year. Other cities around the UK could benefit from similar economic boosts with the right policies to attract further investment into live music venues and touring.”

Subscribe to Pollstar HERE