Study finds 33% of UK music fans plan to go to fewer events next year

A new report from customer engagement platform CM.com has found that one in three people in the UK plans to go to fewer live music events in 2023. 

The Future of Live report explores the impending destiny of live music gigs, concerts and festivals in a survey of 1000 live music event attendees from ages 17 to 55.

It may come as no shock to many that the report shows that almost half of those surveyed (46%) have not attended a live music event this year. But why? They couldn’t afford to go, with the cost of living crisis mentioned as one of these reasons.

Whilst 1/3 of those surveyed have spiked a worrying reality into play, two-thirds of people involved in the survey said they experience live music events the same as before the pandemic – offering much-required hope for the situation ahead.

The report also contains input from several leading industry professionals, including AVA Festival’s Marketing & Programming Manager Conor McTernan, who stressed the seriousness of the ‘cost of living crisis’ on live events: “What’s the first thing that goes when people can’t afford to live? It’s live events because they’re not going to pay to go to a festival if they can’t afford to do it.”

Adonis resident and Fèmmme Fraîche promoter Michelle Manetti also had her say on the report: “People are being far more selective about what they go to, and rather than maybe going to three festivals, they’re only choosing one because everyone’s obviously got less money and the price of everything has gone up, so they can’t afford to spend in the same way. So people are just maybe choosing one, and they’re going to choose one which really does fit them.”

Whilst the results are a real eye-opener to some, they only echo what many in the industry have been dealing with first-hand since the end of the pandemic. 

CM.com’s Head of Music and Live Events, Paul Everett, said: “The findings from our report show what we have been experiencing on the ground, which is that consumer behaviour within live music is shifting rapidly.

“We’ve taken care to report honestly and accurately on what is happening right now. The pandemic was a time when collectivism and creativity flourished. This report provides insights which will keep the spirit of conversation and collaboration going as we navigate the new landscape together.”

You can read The Future of Live report in full HERE.