UK Music Ltd’s Post

UK music industry leaders are urging the government to address post-Brexit touring barriers, as EU officials have indicated they are not open to changing regulations. Current restrictions, including limits on working days and complex visa requirements, are making EU tours more challenging and costly for UK musicians. A 2023 survey found nearly half of UK musicians have seen a reduction in EU work. Despite Labour's pledge to improve trade relations, industry experts stress that immediate action is needed to mitigate these obstacles and support the £6.7 billion music sector. https://lnkd.in/gKGESxhS #UKmusic #UKmusicindustry

Brexit has a significant impact on the UK music industry. The proportion of artists reporting income loss due to Brexit has risen due to rising logistical costs, which add pressure on musicians. Touring in the EU has become more challenging, with increased costs and red tape deterring many musicians. While superstar artists have the resources to overcome these obstacles, lesser-known musicians and supporting staff face significant barriers, including the 90-day visa limit. UK Music's report warns that, without a more ambitious post-Brexit strategy, the UK risks falling behind in the global music industry.

Last week the Financial Times reported that EU officials had said Labour's commitment to improve EU relations and ease touring barriers for artists and musicians was "not straightforward". We didn't think it would be, but we welcome the renewed focus on the issue of touring in Europe. This remains a critical topic for the UK's music industry, with cultural exchange between the UK and the rest of Europe essential in maintaining the continent's vibrant musical heritage and competitiveness. The Featured Artists Coalition (FAC) and MMF (Music Managers Forum) launched the "Let The Music Move" brand in 2021 as an umbrella for the music industry to unify and campaign on issues around touring. Its aims are as important today as they were then. The industry will continue to work with the Labour Government on fostering a new relationship with the EU and creating a more positive touring environment, to power the future of our sector. Thanks to James Hanley at IQ Magazine, Rachael Healy at The Guardian and Adam Sherwin at The i paper for discussing the topic. https://lnkd.in/e5qz73Aa

UK and Germany music markets get latest stats showing growth The latest report from the UK’s umbrella music-industry body UK Music Ltd reveals that UK music exports revenue grew by 15% to £4.6bn, and the number of full-time equivalent jobs in the industry grew by 3% to 216,000 - both record highs. Meanwhile in Germany new stats published by industry body BDKV reveal that the German live-music industry grew by 20% in 2023 to €5.6bn of revenues. Read more: https://lnkd.in/eJU7iK-w #UK #Germany #musicindustry #marketdata

UK Music unveils new research into the value of gigs, concerts and festivals to local economies, with Beyonce and Blur attracting 19.2 million music tourists to UK events. Music tourism is a growing part of the music industry. London saw a 40% rise in music tourists from 4.9 million in 2022, to 6.9 million in 2023. This growth is not just limited to London, with an 86% increase in music tourists to the South West, rising from 1 million in 2022, to 2 million in 2023. There was also a 29% increase of music tourists in the North East, from 352,000 in 2022 to 489,000 in 2023. However, despite the growth in music tourism, independent festivals and grassroots music venues are still struggling and artists are also facing a cost-of-touring crisis. In September 2023, UK Music published its Manifesto for Music, which outlined measures that could be taken to supercharge music industry growth and support the talent pipeline and is now calling on the new Government to take action. Discover more here: https://ow.ly/jQQ550SHSbF #MusicToursim #MusicPowerhouses #ManifestoForMusic

🎵 The Power of UK Music 🎶 Music plays a pivotal role in the UK’s thriving creative economy. As Shadow Culture Secretary Stuart Andrew MP highlights, the numbers speak for themselves: ✅ £7.6bn contribution to the UK economy ✅ 216,000+ jobs supported ✅ £4.6bn in exports ✅ A global cultural influence that resonates far beyond our borders The UK music industry is not just a source of inspiration—it’s a cornerstone of our creative sector and a key driver of economic growth. Let’s continue to support and celebrate this vital industry. https://lnkd.in/eS6V2bpr

A lot of people still don't realise the true value of live events. That's OK, because UK Music Ltd's latest report gave us an insight into its impact in 2023... 🎪 19.2 million music fans travelled from across the UK and overseas to see UK shows and festivals (33% increase on the year prior) 🎪 £8 billion spent in local economies as a result of music tourism (21% increase on the year prior) 🎪 62,000 jobs sustained through music tourism (17% increase on the year prior) 🎪 1.014 million foreign music tourists (a slight drop from 1.053 million in the year prior) 🎪 18.2 million domestic music tourists (36% increase on the year prior) And that's just the economic benefits of our industry - think about the benefits to people, places, societies and communities. Despite positive impacts, UK Music CEO Tom Kiehl states: “Grassroots music venues and festivals, studios and rehearsal spaces are facing tough economic pressures and it’s vital that the music ecosystem that enables musicians and artists to perform is supported to ensure that everyone – no matter where they live – can have access to music. “We’re looking forward to working with the new Government to ensure that all our towns and cities have thriving music ecosystems that support the growth of the industry – generating thousands more jobs, boosting economic growth and making their areas even more attractive to visitors.” #grassroots #festivals #events #musicindustry #yourfestivalneedsyou 📸 BLOND:ISH at Labryinth Open Air, Tofte Manor - captured by Jake Philip Davis, produced by The Fair

The BPI reported that British music exports hit a record £775 million in 2023, but growth slowed sharply compared to 2022. Despite more UK artists gaining global streams, the country's share of global audio streams fell from 17% in 2015 to under 10% in 2023. The BPI warns that rising global competition, especially from countries like South Korea and Nigeria, is affecting the UK's market share. They are urging the UK government to support the music industry with policies similar to those boosting exports in other countries, despite British artists like Raye and Central Cee still achieving global success. https://lnkd.in/gBeRDxj6 #UKMusic #UKMusicIndustry

There’s been a worryingly growing trend over the last few years of big name artists skipping New Zealand on their global tours, from Olivia Rodrigo to Taylor Swift, but even when they do visit the country, local musicians don’t always experience the benefits. Thom Yorke, Coldplay, Travis Scott, Metallica, and Hozier are just a handful of recent touring artists who haven’t had a local support act. This trend seems set to continue into 2025, with Canadian crooner Bryan Adams recently confirming former 'X Factor' winner James Arthur as his support for his February New Zealand shows. In a bid to change things for the better, the Music Managers Forum (MMF) Aotearoa has today called for greater inclusion of New Zealand artists in international shows and tours across the country. The initiative, titled Spotlight Aotearoa, is largely inspired by the similar Michael’s Rule in Australia, a major booster program for the Australian music community that was met with “virtually unprecedented” approval from across the industry earlier this year. “Spotlight Aotearoa aims to ensure that local talent shares the stage with global acts, fostering growth, preserving Aotearoa’s unique musical identity, and keeping the economic benefits of live performances within our shores,” a press statement reads. Find out more about Spotlight Aotearoa, and how you can back the important proposal, at the link below. https://lnkd.in/g6R64DxD

Live music in the UK has been on the decline with artists performing half the number of shows they did in the 1990s. That's putting more strain on artists and extending across countries. We need a new financing model in the arts. "Artists on grassroots tours are playing an average of just 11 shows, compared to 22 in 1994," according to the Music Venue Trust. This trend has wider implications for the live music industry as venues close and tours become more concentrated in major cities. And my assessment is that it's not just hitting towns - major cities have been affected too, e.g. London does not support the English National Opera as of this year anymore. "We hear tales of international artists skipping the UK or only playing London, Manchester, or Birmingham. Instead of six shows, they're doing two, leaving large parts of the country without access to live performances," said Jon Collins, chief executive of Live. "Tours are running at a loss, so the best way to stem those losses is to do fewer shows," said Sam Duckworth. Duckworth recalls his earlier career when a major tour spanned 54 dates, saying, "There's no way I could do a 54-date tour now." The consequences stretch beyond the artists and fans. "When bands don’t visit, businesses like hotels, bars, and taxis miss out," Collins explains, urging the government to lower VAT on gig tickets from 20% to match countries like France, Germany, and Italy, where it's as low as 10%. "That is a weight putting a false ceiling on the number of shows we could be doing, the number of tours, and the festivals we could be offering," he adds. The Music Venue Trust is also advocating for a £1 levy on arena and stadium concerts to support grassroots venues, a move supported by artists like Coldplay, who pledged 10% of their earnings from two UK shows to the trust. Taxes are not a sustainable solution - we need a new financing model. #LiveMusic #MusicIndustry #UKVenues #TouringCrisis #CulturalImpact #SupportGrassrootsMusic https://lnkd.in/eRUCmpCd