UK Music Recovers Strongly
After some of the toughest years in history, the UK music industry is showing strong signs of recovery. Live concerts are back, sales are rising, and new reports reveal how much music is adding to the British economy.
Pandemic Impact
The COVID-19 pandemic almost broke the UK music sector. According to UK Music, one in three jobs (about 69,000) in the music industry disappeared in 2020. Venues were shut, concerts cancelled, and income collapsed.
Michael Dugher, chief executive of UK Music, said: “The pandemic has been the toughest challenge the music industry has ever faced. We lost a third of our workforce.”
Record Growth in 2025
The latest This Is Music report shows the industry is now recovering:
The UK music sector contributed £7.6 billion to the economy in 2025 – a record high.
Music exports rose to £4 billion, showing British artists remain popular worldwide.
Employment bounced back to 210,000 jobs, up from the lows of the pandemic.
Jamie Njoku-Goodwin, former UK Music CEO, said: “This growth shows the resilience of our world-leading music industry.”
Live Sector Rebounds
Live music has made a powerful comeback. Concerts at the O2 Arena in London sold out quickly, and Glastonbury Festival 2025 welcomed more than 200,000 fans.
The Music Venue Trust, however, warned that 125 grassroots venues closed in 2025 due to rising energy bills and rent. CEO Mark Davyd explained: “While big arenas thrive, small venues are under serious threat.”
Sales Surge Across Platforms
Streaming continues to rise:
In 2025, UK listeners streamed more than 180 billion songs.
Spotify reported that over 3,000 UK artists now get at least £100,000 a year from the platform.
Vinyl sales also hit a 32-year high, with more than 5.9 million records sold in 2025. CDs and digital downloads stayed stable, but vinyl’s comeback shows fans value physical formats.
Ongoing Challenges
Despite the positive numbers, problems remain:
Brexit has made it harder for artists to tour in Europe because of visas and extra costs.
Rising inflation and energy prices threaten small venues.
Income inequality: superstar artists earn millions, while many newcomers struggle.
The Guardian noted: “Behind record revenues, the reality for many musicians is still far gloomier.”
What’s Next?
Experts say more support is needed:
UK Music is calling for VAT cuts on tickets and easier touring rules.
Musicians’ Union stresses investment in music education to protect future talent.
Innovative ideas like hybrid livestream concerts, fan subscription platforms, and merchandise sales are helping artists earn more.
Conclusion
The UK music industry is back on its feet, with record-breaking billions flowing into the economy and fans returning to shows. But the recovery is not complete. Grassroots venues, young musicians, and touring rules still need urgent attention.
As Mark Davyd of Music Venue Trust said: “We cannot call this a full recovery until every part of the music ecosystem is safe.”
