Taylor Swift & Charli XCX help attract 23.5 million people to UK concerts in 2024

Taylor Swift, Charli XCX, Bruce Springsteen, Sam Fender and Dua Lipa helped lure a record 23.5 million music tourists to concerts and festivals in the UK in 2024, a new report from UK Music has revealed.

Music tourists spent a record £10 billion in 2024 - a 26% increase on the 2023 total spend of £8 billion, according to UK Music’s Hometown Glory report. UK Music published the research to show the value of concerts and festivals to the economy in each of the UK’s nations and regions, outlining the vital importance of helping the music industry continue to grow everywhere.

In 2024, a record 23.5 million music tourists - up 23% on 2023’s total of 19.2 million - enjoyed live music concerts and festivals in the UK. Of the 23.5 million total, 21.9 million were music tourists from the UK – a 21% rise on 2023. A total of 1.6 million visitors last year were overseas music tourists - up 62% on the 2023 total of one million.

Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour helped drive the 2024 figures to a new high, as well as festivals including Glastonbury, Download and Boardmasters. Charli XCX, who had a breakthrough year with her album BRAT, also brought in thousands of fans to arenas across the UK.

Other acts driving the number of music tourists included Sam Fender, Olivia Rodrigo, Chappell Roan, Girls Aloud, The Killers, Doja Cat, Foo Fighters, Burna Boy and Bruce Springsteen. This year’s Oasis Live ’25 Tour starting on July 4 will undoubtedly continue the success story.

Music tourists supported 72,000 full-time equivalent jobs in the live music sector in 2024 - up 16% on the 2023 total of 62,000. These jobs are a key part of the wider music eco-system that also includes UK-based music studios, record labels, music publishers and other music businesses.

Music tourism spending is made up of £5.1 billion spent directly by music tourists attending concerts and festivals in the UK, including the cost of a ticket, on-site spend, travel, accommodation, and meals while travelling to events. A further £4.9 billion was spent indirectly through the value chain, including costs such as fencing and security.

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.

UK Music chief executive Tom Kiehl said: “In 2024, our fantastic UK music industry pulled in 23.5 million music tourists who spent £10 billion to see their favourite acts and performers right across the UK. But while music generates huge benefits for our local areas, there remains a number of challenges facing our sector such as the rising cost of touring for artists and the threat of closure looming over venues, studios and other music spaces.

“From Lands' End to John O’Groats, all communities have the potential for thriving and diverse music sectors and can offer something unique. At a time when the government is seeking growth, it is crucial to empower local leaders to make this happen to help boost our artists, creators, venues, studios and music businesses.

“The Local Music Action Charter, launched in this report, will embolden local actors, particularly in the face of change and disruption, to support sustained growth, and enable those that form part of our local music industries to truly fulfil their potential.”

Photo credit: ©Disney