UK Music

29/07/2024

Today, Creative UK launches new research in partnership with the Creative Industries Policy and Evidence Centre (PEC) and BVA BDRC, supported by the Creative Industries Council, Bloomberg Philanthropies and YouTube.

What growth has funding opened up for you and your creative business? How have you used that investment? Did you struggle to access it? Where are you based in the UK? These are all things we want to understand with this research.

Your lived experiences will form an evidence base to drive discussions a range of UK Government Departments as they develop and implement policy under a new UK Government. This is a rare opportunity to affect the future of creative funding and finance and generate change for yourself and other creators.

Share far and wide with your networks by tagging, forwarding on or any other means necessary.

The research closes Thursday 15 August 2024. Learn more and submit: https://hubs.ly/Q02H6YDb0

23/07/2024

"Music creates economic value for local economies."

UK Music Chief Executive spoke to about the impact of , as UK Music reveals 19.2 million music fans travelled to see shows in 2023.

Listen here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0jcz7h3

23/07/2024

UK Music research reveals:

- Total number of music tourists attending live music events across the UK in 2023 was 19.2 million – an increase of 33% on 2022 when the figure was 14.4 million.

- Total music tourism spending in 2023 was £8 billion – an increase of 21% on 2022 when the figure was £6.6 billion.

- Total employment sustained by music tourism in 2023 was 62,000, which is an increase of 17% on 2022 when the figure was 53,000.

- Total number of foreign music tourists in 2023 was 1.014 million, which is a slight drop from 1.053 million in 2022.

- Total number of domestic music tourists in 2023 was 18.2 million, which is an increase of 36% on 2022 when the total was 13.3 million.

Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said:

“The UK’s thriving music industry continues to be one of our most powerful global exports and an important driver of economic growth.

“In towns and cities across the country, the music industry provides entertainment, employment and inspiration to millions.

“This Government will work hard to ensure our creative industries get the support they need to flourish, driving opportunity and economic growth into every community and inspiring the next generation of performers.”

Read more here: https://ow.ly/WbbW50SHVA4

Department for Culture, Media and Sport

23/07/2024

UK Music Chief Executive Tom Kiehl on the value brings to our towns and cities, as UK Music release valuable data.

Music tourism spending is made up of £4.2 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 £3.8 billion was spent indirectly through the value chain, including costs such as fencing and security or a restaurant paying for ingredients.

But while music generates huge benefits for our local areas, beyond a handful of very successful musicians the opportunities for many artists are becoming increasingly squeezed and grassroots music venues and festivals, studios and rehearsal spaces are facing tough economic pressures.

Last year UK Music’ released the Here, There and Everywhere report that featured a toolkit to local governments to help them maximize the opportunities music can bring to their economies.

Find out more here: https://ow.ly/Lw5U50SHSMR

23/07/2024

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

19/07/2024

UK Music's Summer Party was a huge success - bringing together policymakers and the industry to celebrate the power of music.

Take a look at our image gallery to see for yourself: https://ow.ly/sNGk50SFXfc

12/07/2024

UK Music welcomes Lisa Nandy to new role as Culture Secretary.

UK Music Chief Executive Tom Kiehl has welcomed the appointment of Lisa Nandy as Culture Secretary which he said would provide "further momentum behind the new government’s ambitious plans for music and culture".

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer promoted the Wigan MP to the role as Secretary of State for the Department of Culture, Media and Sport on Friday 5 July.

Find out more here: https://www.ukmusic.org/news/uk-music-welcomes-lisa-nandy-to-new-role-as-culture-secretary/

11/07/2024

UK Music’s Futures Board discuss what it's like working in the as a young person and the important of in an exclusive interview with Music Week.

Dive into the conversation here: https://ow.ly/jpL250SyFvB

11/07/2024

All the latest news from UK Music including new CEO announcement, Diversity Report, MAP Tour, AI, new Government and more!

UK Music has announced Tom Kiehl as its new chief executive. The UK Music Board of Directors appointed Tom after an extensive recruitment process, which attracted more than 130 applicants.  

09/07/2024

"The creative industries is a real powerhouse & that's being recognised."

UK Music Chief Executive Tom Kiehl spoke to Mark Surtherland on The Money Trench podcast - where they discussed actions for the new Government and Tom's memories of music TV.

Listen here: https://pods.to/tmt1

05/07/2024

UK Music congratulates Labour on election win and urges new PM to use “resounding mandate” to boost music industry.

Find out more here: https://ow.ly/6gra50SvJjo

02/07/2024

UK Music’s Music Academic Partnership Tour is huge success, as students get the opportunity to meet speakers from the music industry.

UK Music Director of Education & Skills Dr Oliver Morris said:

“Every year we work with our Music Academic Partnership members to put on a tour featuring expert industry voices to meet with and engage students. The aim is to create exciting spaces in which vibrant discussions are facilitated and that inspire the next generation of the music industry.

“We love working with our MAP members and are always so blown away by all the amazing work they do nurturing not only their students but also their local music scenes. Where possible, we open up the events to others in the communities we visit. So, keep an eye on our socials if interested in attending next year.

“It is also always an absolute pleasure to meet and talk to the young people out there doing the work. Students juggle multiple pressures, but always come to events fired up and eager to discuss their passion. Most are studying whilst working and shaping their local music scene in a multitude of inventive ways.

“Roll on next year’s tour – we hope to see you there!”

Learn more here: https://ow.ly/mpMG50StPqa

02/07/2024

Dougie Brown, UK Music's and Officer, delves into the crucial steps the must take to bolster support for and professionals in the .

Discover more: https://ow.ly/xoLR50StA4y

26/06/2024

"There must be swift action to fix the crisis our musicians face when it comes to touring Europe."

UK Music Chief Executive Tom Kiehl on BBC Radio 3's In Tune discussing what the music industry needs from the next Government.

Listen: https://ow.ly/5rNY50Sq1ee (go to 1.29.40)

26/06/2024

UK Music’s and Officer Douglas Brown analyses the political parties' to see how they are promising to support music.

Discover here: https://ow.ly/vsV250SpPyO

25/06/2024

UK Music appoints Tom Kiehl as new chief executive.

He takes on the role at a critical time for UK Music and the wider industry ahead of the arrival of a new Government following polling day on July 4.

Find out more here: https://ow.ly/e1k450Sp3se

24/06/2024

consortium calls on political candidates to commit to utilising music to improve , and .

The Power of Music steering group is a diverse coalition of organisations from across arts and health including UK Music, Nordoff and Robbins, Music for Dementia/The Utley Foundation, the National Academy for Social Prescribing and Manchester Camerata.

The open letter, addressed to all candidates, is calling on the next Government to make music a central part of health and education policymaking. The letter highlights the important economic contribution music can make to a thriving society and its potential help save the NHS money.

Discover more: https://ow.ly/WQHH50SopPm

20/06/2024

Ahead of the general election on July 4, the Report 2024 outlines key asks from the sector of the next Government to boost , and .

UK Music Diversity Taskforce Chair Ammo Talwar MBE said:

“We need the next Government to be fast and fearless when it comes to working with us to tear down the remaining barriers."

Read the report here: https://ow.ly/TkgT50Smrh3

20/06/2024

"AI-generated works rely entirely on ingesting music made by human creators."

UK Music Chair Tom Watson writes on the challenges & opportunities presents to the music industry for Bright Blue's Centre Write.

Discover more:https://www.brightblue.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/AI-magazine-v4-ONLINE.pdf

19/06/2024

"Content drives connection." - Bre McDermott-King.

Day two of UK Music's virtual music event was a great success.

Thank you so much to our speakers , , Rebecca Rees and Bre McDermott-King, it was amazing having you share your knowledge and experiences.

19/06/2024

UK Music's Diversity Taskforce Vice Chair Paulette Long OBE highlights a key takeaways she noticed around women in music she hopes the will action from the new .

Data in the report reveals:

- The representation of women in senior level (48.3%) is lower than at mid (52.4%), and entry level (61.5%).

- However, there has been positive progress over several years, with senior representation rising from 40.4% in 2020 to 45.1% in 2022, and to the current 48.3% level.

- In 2024, women are well represented in the 25-34 age category (58.6%) but in the 45-54 age category (46.6%) and 55-64 (39.2%) female representation starts to drop.

Find out more here: https://ow.ly/IQgP50SkNUw

19/06/2024

UK Music's Head of Diversity Eunice Obianagha shares her hopes for the progress, as UK Music launches it's 2024 Diversity Report, which gives a revealing snapshot of those working behind the scenes in the UK music industry.

A total of 2,874 people from across the industry responded to the UK Music Workforce Diversity Survey, carried out between January 17 and March 31, 2024. The findings are published now in the UK Music Diversity Report 2024.

Find out more here: https://ow.ly/IQgP50SkNUw

19/06/2024

Yesterday was an incredible first day of the virtual music event.
Some great insights into song writing and those crucial initial steps in a variety of music careers.
Thank you to our speakers Adam Martina, Lauren Rycroft, and for a great day

19/06/2024

As UK Music launches its 2024 Diversity Report ahead of the general election on July 4, UK Music's Interim Chief Executive Tom Kiehl is calling on the next Government to boost , and by implementing key asks from the .

Discover more here: https://ow.ly/sJ4Q50SkQ8z

19/06/2024

UK Music's Diversity Taskforce Chair Ammo Talwar reflects on progress, as UK Music's launches its 2024 that shows significant improvements in the areas of gender and ethnicity, however, the findings also highlight areas where more progress is needed.

Such as the report revealing most survey respondents come from professional backgrounds (56.1%). The next largest group come from working-class backgrounds (20.9%), followed by those from intermediate backgrounds (14.8%).

The founder said:

“The socio-economic data is especially concerning, with figures for those working in the music industry whose parents came from a professional background above the national average. We need to do more to ensure that we’re getting talent from every walk of life.”

Learn more at the link in the bio and at www.ukmusic.org.

19/06/2024

UK Music reveals findings of 2024 Workforce Diversity Survey – and urges next Government to be “fast and fearless” to boost diversity and inclusion.

The results show significant improvements in the areas of gender and ethnicity. However, the findings also highlight areas where more progress is needed.

Ahead of the general election on July 4, the UK Music Diversity Report 2024 also outlines the key asks from the sector of the next Government to boost equity, diversity and inclusion.

Read here: https://ow.ly/IQgP50SkNUw

17/06/2024

Members of UK Music's Futures Board spoke to Music Week about the issues important to them, including , and .

Read here: https://ow.ly/hH9x50SjO17

14/06/2024

Our Interim Chief Executive Tom Kiehl went to Paris to discuss the impact of artificial intelligence in the music industry as part of Forum Entreprendre dans la Culture.

Organised by the French Ministry of Culture, the Forum is an annual creative industries conference.

Celebrating its 10th anniversary, the UK was invited as this year’s guest of honour at this year’s Forum, which lasts over three days and brings together over 2,000 graduates, entrepreneurs, artists and cultural experts to discuss sector specific and cross-cutting issues.

Addressing a packed lecture theatre, Tom provided a positive perspective on the way AI can be used to assist artists, musicians and composers in their creativity, and also how AI can be used to drive efficiencies at an industry level regarding tackling piracy and improving royalty processing.

However, he went on to explain the challenges of generative AI and the need to ensure consent and compensation to the music industry is part of this.

Tom outlined recent consumer research, conducted by Whitestone Insight for UK Music, which showed 83% of the public support AI-generated music being clearly labelled as such, as well as informing the French delegates at the Forum about the various approaches the UK government has taken towards AI policy in recent years.

Tom summarised the key asks of the UK music sector in relation to AI, including ensuring AI firms provide transparent records of the music they ingest and the need for stronger protections over personality rights.

Tom concluded his talk with a request for international cooperation between countries such as France and the UK on the issue of AI and the music industry, echoing a call made in the recent All-Party Parliamentary Group on Music report on the issue.

Speaking alongside Tom on the panel were photographer Yann Philippe, singer, composer and musician Benoit Carré, artistic director Rocio Berenguer, AI artist Pierre Fautrel and video games developer Davy Chadwick. The session was chaired by Marie-Aurore de Boisdeffre, the Head of the Department for Authors and Artists at the French Ministry of Culture.

While attending the Forum, Tom also attended a special reception hosted by the British Council and addressed by UK’s Ambassador to France Meena Rawlings and met a number of other delegates from the UK delegation representing organisations such as the Arts Council, the V&A Museum and academia.

13/06/2024

The monthly round-up of all the news from UK Music -

UK Music is urging party leaders to put music at the heart of their general election plans with a commitment to develop a “world-leading music strategy” to support jobs and growth.