UK Music: Live Sector Drives Record £8bn Contribution

The UK music industry delivered record economic results in 2024, contributing £8 billion in Gross Value Added (GVA) to the national economy and supporting 220,000 jobs, according to UK Music’s This Is Music 2025 report. 

But despite headline highs, the data reveals slowing growth and mounting challenges for live music, touring and grassroots infrastructure.

Record results driven by major tours and exports

UK Music’s latest analysis shows total industry GVA rising 5% from £7.6 billion in 2023, with exports reaching £4.8 billion — another 5% annual increase. The sector’s employment hit a record 220,000 full-time equivalent roles.

Major live tours by Taylor Swift, Take That, Bruce Springsteen, Liam Gallagher and Girls Aloud were among the key growth drivers for the year. British exports also benefitted from Charli XCX’s Brat and Lola Young’s global hit Messy, which underscored the continued international pull of UK acts.

However, UK Music Chief Executive Tom Kiehl noted that the figures represent a “levelling off” compared with the double-digit post-pandemic rebounds seen in previous years. “If problems are not addressed then future growth cannot be guaranteed,” he warned.

Touring and grassroots pressures

For the live sector, the report highlights tightening conditions at both the top and bottom of the market. While major stadium and arena tours continue to deliver record ticket sales, smaller-scale touring remains under acute strain. Rising costs, venue closures, and limited profit margins are making it increasingly difficult for emerging artists to tour — threatening the talent pipeline on which the wider ecosystem depends.

Grassroots venues and recording studios remain under pressure, and UK Music warns that “income from touring is not keeping pace with costs.” These concerns echo the findings of Music Venue Trust, which recently reported the continued closure of small venues across the UK.

Brexit barriers and export slowdown

Brexit continues to weigh on touring logistics and earnings. In UK Music’s 2025 survey, 32% of British-based music creators said they were negatively affected by the UK leaving the EU — up from 28% in 2023. Among those impacted, 95% reported a decline in earnings.

The report calls for a new EU-UK touring agreement to remove visa and work-permit barriers, alongside a reciprocal deal with the US on visa fees for artists and crews.

AI regulation and creative rights

Artificial Intelligence emerged as another major theme. More than 90% of surveyed creators said they support regulation to prevent their work from being used without permission or payment. UK Music is calling for mandatory disclosure of training data by AI developers, clear labelling of AI-generated works, and protection of artist likeness and voice.

Government engagement and funding

The organisation has welcomed the Government’s new £30 million Music Growth Package, which will support touring, mentoring and export development. However, Kiehl stressed that “real progress must come through firm action on AI regulation and EU touring barriers,” describing these as “the two issues currently tilted against music’s interests.”

Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper MP, writing in the report, praised the industry as “one of our greatest international success stories” but acknowledged that grassroots and export challenges require coordinated solutions. “With the Government’s support, the UK music industry can continue growing from strength to strength — delivering economic growth, nurturing new talent, and projecting British creativity globally,” she said.

Outlook for the live sector

While the This Is Music 2025 data confirms that live music remains the powerhouse of the UK’s creative economy, the report warns that momentum could stall without targeted intervention.

Rising touring costs, AI disruption, and international access barriers all risk constraining the growth of an industry that has been one of Britain’s most successful global exports.

As Kiehl concluded: “This is a pivotal moment for the UK music industry. Let’s come together to make sure we realise our full potential.”