FAC responds to the first Music Fans’ Voice survey
The results are in from the first Music Fans’ Voice survey. “The relationship between artists and fans provides the beating heart of live music”.
Drawn from the views of more than 8,000 respondents, the survey repeatedly demonstrates that artist-fan relationships form the fundamental core of the UK’s live music business.
The responses also raise important concerns from fans on a range of issues, including ticket prices, ticket touting, increased costs, merchandise commissions, lack of public transport, and accessibility.
Key findings include:
Artists are the primary reason for attendance at live shows
88% of respondents (the top response) said they attend live music events to see their favourite artists perform. 87% said it was to hear their favourite music.
Artists are the main driver of music discovery
More than 80% of respondents use artist websites or social media accounts to find out which live events to attend. Of those using social media, 95% are using the pages of artists, bands or DJs. These are the key methods of music discovery.
The majority of fans support artists by purchasing their merchandise
Across different kinds of live events, more than half of respondents said they have purchased artists’ merchandise. More than 20% said they purchased merchandise “almost every time” they attend a show. T-shirts are the most popular purchase, followed by vinyl records.
The vast majority support the concept of ticket levy to support grassroots live music
93% of those surveyed either “agreed” or “strongly agreed” with the idea of a £1 ticket levy on music events at arenas and stadiums to fund support for grassroots live music.
This correlates with recommendations made by the Culture Media & Sport Select Committee in 2024, that the live music industry introduce a voluntary levy to support grassroots artists, promoters and venues.
Fans are concerned about ticket prices, ticket touting, public transport and accessibility
60% of respondents said they would attend more live events if they provided “better value for money”, with the majority wanting lower ticket prices. This pinpoints a dilemma for the vast majority of artists, who, as the sector’s biggest employers, need to balance accessible pricing with dramatically inflated show costs.
91% agreed that reselling a ticket for profit should be outlawed in the UK.
Other concerns included the rising cost of food and drink, excessive commissions charged on the sale of merchandise, limited public transport and dynamic ticket pricing.
Our CEO, David Martin, (Featured Artists Coalition) responds:
“The results of the Music Fans’ Voice Survey have one overriding message: the relationship between artists and fans provides the beating heart of live music. It’s their shared passion which drives music discovery, ticket sales, attendances, and in-venue spending.
Clearly, many fans are feeling the financial pinch right now. It’s something we all need to be conscious of. But that makes it even more heartening that respondents put such an emphasis on supporting artists, whether through buying their merchandise and vinyl at shows or backing the concept of a ticket levy on arena and stadium events.
The FAC hears that message loud and clear. It’s given us renewed vigour to crack on with our 100% Venues campaign, and to push harder for the blanket adoption of a ticket levy to support those most impacted by the cost of touring crisis in grassroots live music.”
About the Music Fans’ Voice Survey
The Music Fans’ Voice survey was commissioned by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, The Mayor of London, Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, West Midlands Combined Authority, Tees Valley Combined Authority, Cardiff City Council, Belfast City Council and Glasgow Music City.
This first-of-its-kind survey builds on recommendations from the CMS select committee for a Fan Led Review of live and electronic music, as happened in football.