Music is nothing without the fans!

The data collected by consumer researchers NIQ and data analysts CGA during February, from just over 8,100 respondents, reveals an enduring enthusiasm and support for live music, and provides a generally positive view of the sector:

• Over 99% of those surveyed agree that live music events are an important part of UK culture.
• 95% believe that they are important in relation to the UK’s international reputation.
• The majority interviewed (68%) felt that the UK is the world leader in live music events.

However, several areas of concern were also highlighted, particularly around ticket resale, dynamic pricing and the secondary market, leading to a conclusion that this area of the live music industry needs reform:

• 97% of music fans believe that face value resale of tickets should be permitted.
• However, there was an overwhelming call for ticket reselling at a higher price to be banned, with 91% calling for legislation to end the practise.
• The same percentage also believe that dynamic pricing should be outlawed.
• Only 11% of those who had purchased dynamically priced tickets believe the concept was adequately communicated to them at point of sale.

The survey made clear that music fans care deeply about protecting the live music ecosystem for the future:

• 84% of fans said they attended shows to support live music and artists.
• 71% of respondents cited their support for their local music scene and local artists as a key reason for visiting venues.
• 94% of respondents believe that significant music venues and nightclubs should have some form of protected status. 
• 93% of those surveyed agreed, or strongly agreed, that £1 from every stadium or arena show should go into a fund that directly supports the grassroots music sector. 

Another trend was the decline in attendance of live music events, with over 50% of respondents citing cost of living/financial constraints as the key reason for not attending as many shows as they would like, and 91% agreeing that lower ticket prices would encourage more attendance.

Sadly, country music was not registered as one of the types of music that fans typically attended venues for.  Perhaps this reflects the UK-CMA challenge to widen the genre beyond stadium tours and develop support for UK country artists at the grassroots level as, on average, live music fans attend events across FIVE different genres.

This wide-ranging initiative builds on recommendations from the UK Parliament’s Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee, for a fan-led review of live and electronic music.  It was commissioned by local authorities in eight UK cities, including: Greater Manchester Combined Authority, The Mayor of London, Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, West Midlands Combined Authority, Cardiff City Council, Tees Valley Combined Authority, Belfast City Council and Glasgow Life, with support from West Yorkshire Combined Authority, Brighton & Hove City Council and Southend City Council.

You can read the full results here.