A record 24.7 million 'music tourists' attended concerts and festivals in the UK last year, according to a report from industry body UK Music. This represents a 4.8% increase from 2024 and generated an unprecedented £11.2bn in spending across the UK economy.
Overseas visitors surge
The number of overseas music tourists soared by 27% to 2.1 million, up from 1.6 million in 2024. Several major artists, including Coldplay, Lana Del Rey, and Oasis, played only in the UK last year, helping drive overseas numbers. The vast majority (85%) of music tourists were domestic fans who travelled more than three times the average commute to attend an event.
Oasis reunion boosts north-west
The Gallagher brothers' reunion tour, where Oasis played for the first time in 15 years, was a major factor despite a scandal over ticket pricing. The band's five gigs at Manchester's Heaton Park led to music tourist spending in the north-west rising 16% year on year to £1.4bn. Oasis fans spent more than £1bn on the reunion tour, averaging over £766 per person.
Other major acts and festivals
Other major acts playing in the UK included Dua Lipa, Ed Sheeran, Chris Brown, Sam Fender, and South Korean artists Blackpink and Stray Kids. The perennial popularity of Glastonbury, featuring Neil Young, Olivia Rodrigo, Charli xcx, and the 1975, also fuelled a bumper summer.
Economic impact and spending
The record £11.2bn spent on music tourism is up 11% from £10bn in 2024. Direct spending by music tourists totalled £5.7bn, covering tickets, food, drink, merchandise, travel, and accommodation. An additional £5.5bn was spent indirectly on costs such as fencing and security. The record spend was also boosted by inflation and soaring ticket prices.
London dominates
London saw music tourism spending increase 27.4% from £2.7bn to £3.4bn, accounting for more than 30% of the total spend last year.
Government and industry response
Ian Murray, the creative industries minister, said: 'These record-breaking figures are a testament to what the UK’s music industry does better than anywhere else in the world. That’s why this government is committed to backing the entire music ecosystem in its upcoming plan for music: protecting fans from the exploitation of ticket touts, supporting the grassroots venues and studios that are the lifeblood of our future talent, and working to improve opportunities for UK artists to tour in Europe.'
Tom Kiehl, chief executive of UK Music, said: 'The billions spent are a huge shot in the arm for towns and cities right across the UK. However, the government must support music fans by delivering on their manifesto pledge to tackle the menace of ticket touts who charge exorbitant prices for resale tickets, squeezing the amount of cash fans have to spend on gig-going.'
Employment impact
UK Music said the number of full-time equivalent jobs in live music rose 3% last year, from 71,760 to 74,000.
