Music tourism in the UK is hitting new highs, with more than 19 million people traveling for live music events last year. This surge, highlighted in a new study by UK Music and reported by Music Week, underscores the growing impact of music on the domestic economy.
2023's Record-Breaking Numbers
In 2023, major tours by superstars like Beyoncé, Blur, Harry Styles, and The Weeknd, alongside iconic festivals such as Glastonbury, Boomtown, and TRNSMT, drew a massive 19.2 million fans. This marks a 33% increase from 2022’s 14.4 million. Among these, 18.2 million were "domestic music tourists"—fans traveling within the UK for gigs—representing a 36% rise from the previous year. Meanwhile, 1.014 million international music tourists flew in for the events, a slight dip from 2022’s 1.053 million.
Economic Impact
Music tourism injected around £8 billion into the UK economy in 2023, up 21% from the previous year's £6.6 billion. This boom also generated 62,000 jobs, a 17% increase from 2022. London saw a 40% surge in music tourists, while the South West and North East regions experienced growths of 86% and 29%, respectively.
Challenges for Independent Artists and Venues
Despite the overall positive trend, UK Music’s chief executive Tom Kiehl cautions that the benefits are not evenly distributed. “While music generates huge benefits for our local areas, the opportunities for many artists are becoming increasingly squeezed,” he stated. The gap between top-tier acts and grassroots artists is widening, with smaller venues and festivals facing severe economic pressures. According to Music Venues Trust, 2023 was the UK's worst year for venue closures, with 125 grassroots venues shutting their doors.
Looking Ahead
As we look to 2024, early indicators suggest continued momentum. Preliminary research on the UK leg of Taylor Swift’s highly anticipated The Eras Tour shows nearly 1.147 million people planning to travel for her June and August shows in Edinburgh, Cardiff, Liverpool, and London.
Global Context
This trend isn't just confined to the UK. In Spain, for instance, the influx of music tourists has sparked local protests. In May, over 10,000 people in Mallorca and Ibiza demonstrated against overtourism with signs reading, "We don’t want an island of cement" and "Tourism, yes but not like this."
The Future of Music Tourism
For a deeper dive into the impact of music tourism on cities like London, Amsterdam, and Berlin, revisit Martin Guttridge-Hewitt’s 2020 feature on how nightlife and gigs are transforming urban landscapes. As music tourism continues to evolve, its ability to both drive economic growth and challenge local infrastructures will be key to watch.
Photo: John Shearer/Getty Images
