Liverpool City Region Music Industry Worth 780 Million Annually, Report Finds

On 12 June 2026, the Liverpool City Region Music Board (LCRMB) unveiled a striking new figure: the local music sector pumps £780 million into the regional economy each year. The number marks a 52 percent rise over previous estimates and comes from a sweeping analysis that measured employment, venue activity and value added.

The LCRMB’s report, Liverpool City Region Music Economy: Toward a £1 bn Sector by 2035, sits beside the board’s role as adviser to the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority on cultural and creative policy. It counts more than 14,000 people employed across the region’s music industry, from performers and producers to venue staff and support services. The study also charts a live‑music ecosystem that spans over 500 venues distributed across the six council areas that make up the region.

Liverpool’s musical reputation predates the Beatles. As a bustling port, the city attracted American jazz, blues, R&B and Irish folk musicians who filled local clubs and dockside venues. The report notes that this eclectic heritage helped forge a resilient music scene that now sustains a significant share of the local economy.

According to the study, the sector’s gross value added (GVA) is £406 million. When indirect spending on hospitality, transport and tourism is added, the total economic impact reaches £780 million. The LCRMB gathered data from venue operators, music‑related businesses and regional employment statistics to arrive at these figures.

Board chair Jon Collins described the methodology as a “rock‑solid evidence base.” Collins, who also serves as chief executive of the national live‑music trade body LIVE, said the data could help the region target growth initiatives and attract investment. The findings feed into a broader strategy that aims to lift the music sector to a £1 bn annual contribution by 2035.

Industry stakeholders have welcomed the new figures. The LCRMB’s website notes that the study was developed in partnership with local universities and music organisations, including Sentric Music Publishing, Adlib Audio, Ditto Music and the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic. The report also highlights the role of the 2 million‑pound investment fund administered by the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, which supports music‑related businesses and talent development.

The mapping of more than 500 live‑music venues, completed by the LCRMB and the University of Liverpool, provides a detailed view of the sector’s infrastructure. The database now covers venues in Liverpool, Knowsley, St Helens, Sefton, Wirral and Halton, offering a resource for planners, investors and artists.

While the report focuses on the present economic contribution, it also outlines a trajectory for future growth. The LCRMB’s projections suggest that, with continued investment and policy support, the sector could reach a £1 bn annual impact by 2035. The study’s authors argue that the methodology could be adapted by other cities seeking to quantify the value of their own music economies.

The report is available online and is being used by local government, cultural organisations and business groups to inform decisions on funding, infrastructure and workforce development. As the Liverpool City Region continues to position itself as a global music hub, the £780 million figure underscores the sector’s importance to the region’s economic resilience and cultural identity.