The report estimates that 72,000 full-time equivalent jobs were supported by live music in 2024, up from 62,000 in 2023. Photo: Shutterstock.
The Hometown Glory report builds on UK Music’s work looking at regional economic trends, and provides new insights and strategies to grow music scenes and industries at a local level across the country.
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.
Key findings
The report reveals that music tourism in 2024 generated:
- £5.1 billion in direct spending on tickets, accommodation, food, travel, and merchandise.
- £4.9 billion in indirect spend on supporting industries such as production, transport, security, and event services.
This represents a substantial rise from 2023’s £8 billion total contribution.
Major acts and international appeal
A wave of high-profile tours, including those by Taylor Swift, Charli XCX, Bruce Springsteen, Dua Lipa, Sam Fender, Olivia Rodrigo, The Killers, and Foo Fighters, proved instrumental in drawing both domestic and international audiences.
London remained the leading destination with 7.5 million attendees contributing £2.7 billion to the capital’s economy. Other regions such as the North West and South West also saw significant growth, welcoming 3.3 million and 2.5 million music tourists respectively.
Employment growth and ongoing challenges
The report estimates that 72,000 full-time equivalent jobs were supported by live music in 2024, up from 62,000 in 2023. However, the sector continues to face structural challenges, including escalating touring costs, the ongoing impact of the cost-of-living crisis, and the closure of grassroots music venues and festivals. Alarmingly, 250 festivals have ceased operating since 2019.
In response, UK Music has launched a new Local Music Action Charter (on page 38 of the report), urging local authorities to embed music in policy and planning, and to actively support and grow their local music scenes. The Charter calls for the transformation of empty spaces into music hubs, investment in affordable infrastructure and education pathways, and the creation of local music commissions. It also advocates for financial and regulatory support to help grassroots music thrive.
The MU is a member of UK Music, an umbrella organisation and collective voice of the UK’s world-leading music industry. Read the full Hometown Glory 2025 report here.