Concerts in the United Kingdom saw record attendance in 2025, contributing an estimated £11.2 billion to the national economy, according to figures released by industry body UK Music. The surge in live music events was driven by major artists including Oasis, Dua Lipa, and Coldplay.
Overall attendance at UK gigs reached 24.7 million people last year, marking a 4.8 percent increase from the previous year. International visitors accounted for 2.1 million of these attendees, a significant 26.8 percent rise in tourism for the sector. The highly anticipated Oasis reunion tour was among the major draws for audiences.
Dua Lipa's "Radical Optimism Tour" featured performances at London's Wembley Stadium and Liverpool's Anfield Stadium. Major festivals, such as Glastonbury, which headlined with artists like Olivia Rodrigo and Neil Young, also played a substantial role in the increased attendance and economic impact.
The £11.2 billion generated by the music industry was divided between fan spending and event production costs. Fans spent approximately £5.7 billion on concert-related expenses, including tickets, travel, accommodation, and purchases at venues. The remaining £5.5 billion was allocated to the costs associated with staging the events, such as artist fees and venue security.
"The billions spent are a huge shot in the arm for towns and cities right across the UK and benefit hotels, restaurants, bars and transport firms, and thousands of other businesses," said UK Music chief executive Tom Kiehl. The economic injection is expected to have widespread benefits for various sectors of the UK economy.