In 2024, the UK’s music industry contributed a record £7.6 billion to the economy, marking a 13% increase from the previous year. A key driver of this growth stemmed from the electronic music scene, which alone generated £2.4 billion. Despite these impressive figures, clubs and grassroots venues continue to struggle.
Although live music events rising with ticket platforms like Skiddle reporting record-breaking sales of £163 million, and electronic music accounting for the majority, the live music scene remains under pressure.
In 2024, the UK lost a grassroots music venue every fortnight, totalling 25 closures of vital spaces that develop emerging talent.
Plea to save UK’s grassroots music venues as hundreds face closure: ‘We’ll all be poorer for it’ https://t.co/H3a9QGNhmV
— Big Issue (@BigIssue) January 31, 2025
The decline in club culture is also concerning. Night Time Industries Association (NTIA) recently released a report highlighting the number of clubs in the UK dropped from 874 to 851 in 2024 with a 10 million drop in electronic-based club nights.
Speaking to Mixmag about this report, CEO of NTIA Michael Kill, “Electronic music is one of the UK’s most significant cultural exports, contributing an estimated £2.4 billion to the economy in 2024 alone. Yet, despite its undeniable influence and growth, it remains hidden and marginalised by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS). This report reinforces the importance of electronic music having a seat at the table – DCMS must recognise this sector as a truly valuable commodity, not an afterthought.”
“For too long, the electronic music industry has been overlooked when it comes to policy and support,” Kill said, demanding for more government invtervention. “It is time for the government to engage meaningfully, acknowledging its vast economic and cultural impact. This is not just about music – it is about jobs, communities, and the UK’s standing on the global stage.”
In response to mounting pressure, the UK government announced a new policy in November 2024 aimed at supporting grassroots venues. Under this initiative, every ticket sold for arena or stadium shows must include a financial contribution to grassroots venues, promoters, and artists. The Music Venue Trust hailed this as “the single most significant shift in over fifty years of British music.”
While the economic impact of music in the UK is undeniable, ensuring long-term sustainability requires urgent policy changes and greater recognition of the industry’s most vulnerable sectors. If grassroots venues and club culture continue to decline, the country risks undermining the very foundation that made it a global music powerhouse.
