Post-Pandemic Recovery and Challenges in the UK's Live Music Sector
UK Local Music Scenes During Pandemic: An Insider's View on the Impact of COVID-19
The UK's live music sector, valued at over £1.3 billion in 2019, has been experiencing a significant recovery post-pandemic. The sector's growth has been driven by several factors, including major events, policy changes, and broader economic trends.
Economic Contribution
The live music industry has grown into a £6.1 billion industry, playing a crucial role in the UK's economic recovery. Significant events like the Oasis reunion tour are driving consumer spending, with the tour expected to contribute over £1 billion to the UK economy[1]. Events like music tours and festivals are boosting local economies through increased spending on accommodations, travel, and merchandise. However, these events also create localized inflationary pressures, as seen with hotel price surges[1].
Impact of Brexit
Despite the sector's growth, the UK's live music sector is heavily impacted by the developing situation around Brexit. The number of British acts participating in EU festivals remains lower than pre-Brexit levels, with a 26% decline. This reduction affects not only the artists but also impacts smaller UK music venues' ability to attract EU talent, affecting local production crews and economies[3]. Brexit has introduced new barriers for touring artists, necessitating efforts to simplify touring arrangements and reduce trade barriers. The UK government has been urged to explore agreements with individual EU member states to alleviate these challenges[3].
National Policies and Initiatives
The UK government is taking steps to support the creative industries. A landmark deal has been secured to boost earnings for legacy artists, songwriters, and session musicians. This includes contract renegotiations and increased fees for session musicians, aiming to channel tens of millions of pounds into the creative sector by 2030[2]. The UK is also debating gambling regulation reforms, which could have indirect effects on the live music sector by influencing related industries like hospitality[2]. Additionally, there are calls for targeted government support to stabilize the night-time economy, which includes live music venues, by addressing rising costs and tax burdens[5].
Local Initiatives and Challenges
The UK's night-time economy, which contributes significantly to the economy (£153.9 billion annually), faces challenges such as rising costs, taxation, and declining employment. Local initiatives and government support are necessary to sustain this sector[5]. There is a need for local investment in music infrastructure, such as venues and equipment retailers like Gear4music, which remains a significant player in the UK[4].
In conclusion, while the live music sector in the UK is seeing a strong recovery, it faces challenges from Brexit-related barriers and broader economic pressures. Local and national initiatives are crucial to sustaining this growth and addressing the sector's specific needs. Communication channels between musical stakeholders, local authorities, and policymakers are considered important. This report also looks at the role the creative industries can play for the Levelling Up agenda, focusing on building sustainable regional music industry clusters. The role of existing music representative bodies and the emergence of new ones is an important factor in the recovery process.
- Amid the post-pandemic recovery, the UK's live music sector, valued at over £1.3 billion in 2019, has grown into a £6.1 billion industry, playing a crucial role in the UK's economic recovery.
- Major events like the Oasis reunion tour are driving consumer spending, with the tour expected to contribute over £1 billion to the UK economy.
- However, these events also create localized inflationary pressures, as seen with hotel price surges, highlighting the complex relationship between the live music sector and the economy.
- Despite the sector's growth, the UK's live music sector is heavily impacted by the developing situation around Brexit, with a 26% decline in the number of British acts participating in EU festivals.
- The government is taking steps to support the creative industries, such as securing a landmark deal to boost earnings for legacy artists, songwriters, and session musicians, aiming to channel tens of millions of pounds into the creative sector by 2030.
- Local initiatives and government support are necessary to sustain the UK's night-time economy, which includes live music venues, by addressing rising costs, tax burdens, and declining employment.
- Communication channels between musical stakeholders, local authorities, and policymakers are considered important in addressing the sector's specific needs and ensuring a sustainable recovery process.
- The role of existing music representative bodies and the emergence of new ones is an important factor in the recovery process, especially in building sustainable regional music industry clusters as part of the Levelling Up agenda.
