Electronic Music Contributes £2.4 Billion to UK Economy in 2024, Yet Clubs Say Government Overlooks Them

Electronic Music’s Economic Impact

The recent report revealed that electronic music in the UK contributed approximately 2.4 billion pounds to the economy; however, clubs and venues continue to face significant challenges.

• Read more: 2025 may change the financial landscape for British mass music, but when will we see action and where will the funds be directed?

New data shared by the Night Association of Industry (NTIA) indicated a decrease from 2.5 billion pounds in the previous year, with the electronic music sector generating about 88.4 million pounds in recorded music and 45.5 million pounds in publishing.

This totals an impressive 134 million pounds, reflecting a one percent increase from last year’s 132.7 million pounds.

The thriving electronic music scene in the UK is also highlighted by the growth in British festivals featuring the genre, which rose to 310 in 2023. Additionally, festival attendees increased by 14 percent, reaching 3 million and generating 646.2 million pounds in revenue.

As reported by Mixmag, sales through ticket vendors like Skiddle reached record levels, totaling 163 million pounds, with a significant portion attributed to electronic music.

The report also noted that 80 percent of surveyed artists expressed being “significantly inspired by electronic music,” a figure that represents a 73 percent increase from the previous year.

Challenges Facing the Live Music Scene

Despite the success of electronic music, the live music scene in the UK is still under strain. Many mass venues are struggling to stay afloat, even with ticket sales for live performances on the rise.

Despite the predominance of electronic music in the festival landscape over the past year, a concerning 72 independent festivals were canceled, postponed, or discontinued altogether.

Consequently, the number of clubs in the UK dropped from 874 to 851 in 2024, affecting over 10 million individuals compared to the 2023 figure of 97.5 million.

“Electronic music stands as one of the UK’s most significant cultural exports, generating about 2.4 billion pounds for the economy in 2024. Yet, despite its undeniable influence and growth, it remains a marginalized sector within the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS),” stated NTIA General Director Michael Kill (via Mixmag). “This report emphasizes the need for electronic music to secure its place at the table – DCMS must recognize this sector’s true value and not treat it as an afterthought.”

NTIA also underscored the ongoing efforts of clubs and venues to overcome obstacles, including earlier closing times, implementing multifunctional spaces, and diversifying programming.

“For too long, the electronic music industry has been overlooked in terms of policy and support,” Kill remarked, advocating for more governmental intervention. “It’s time for the government to recognize its vast economic and cultural impact. This is not just about music; it’s about livelihoods, communities, and the UK’s prominence on the global stage.”

The latest report can be viewed here, just months after NTIA warned that the British club scene could face “extinction” by the decade’s end.

In October, data revealed that 37 percent of all clubs across the nation had permanently closed since March 2020 – averaging three closures each week or 150 annually. NTIA added that if this trend continues, all venues in the UK could shutter by December 31, 2029.

Recently, the UK government has faced increasing pressure to intervene and support grassroots venues. For instance, last year lawmakers began to advocate for the long-awaited return of funds from concert ticket sales at arena levels and above to support existing talent, similar to sports initiatives.

Speaking with NME, Michael Kill reflected on the “hellish” times faced by nightclubs in recent years, emphasizing the urgent need for government support for the live music scene.

“We released this report to help the government understand our vulnerabilities,” Kill shared with NME. “The industry must regain control of its recovery, as the government has not provided adequate support for five or six years.”

He continued to express the need for change in the coming future. “We have significant challenges ahead, and we must learn to adapt and collaborate to achieve positive outcomes,” he stated. “This is about reclaiming control and ensuring that we don’t lose the cultural landmark of the British nightclub. We aim to leverage our resilience to tackle these challenges and restore our foundation.”

“Fundraising initiatives are vital, but they must address the entire ecosystem—not just high-profile and grassroots levels,” he insisted. “We undertake extensive efforts to support major music venues, but how can individuals develop their skills if there are constraints at the next level of venues?”

To learn more about the ticket initiative and how it aims to aid grassroots venues and emerging talents, click here.