The UK Music Summer Party is an opportunity for MPs and policy-makers to meet those who work in the industry and discuss key issues.
It’s also an opportunity for the music industry to network, meeting people from trade bodies, music education, media, labels, managers, talent development, campaigning and more.
The event is also a great time to celebrate the world-leading UK music industry, with performances from emerging talent, keynote speakers from the world of politics and a chance for UK Music to showcase the vital work it is doing to support the music industry.
UK Music Summer Party 2026
More than 300 guests joined us for the 2026 UK Music Summer Party, which brought together industry leaders, politicians and our members for a fantastic evening at the IET London on July 13.
UK Music Chief Executive Tom Kiehl delivered an inspiring keynote speech highlighting the opportunities and challenges facing the music industry, while Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy launched the Government’s new Music Plan in a landmark announcement for the sector.
Leading figures from across music and politics came together to celebrate the UK’s world-leading music industry, with new UK Music Chair Catriona Laing welcoming guests to the event.
The evening also featured a moving tribute from BPI Chair YolanDa Brown OBE to the late Kanya King and Alexi Cory-Smith, before guests enjoyed a brilliant live performance from the New Generation Steel Orchestra Quartet, marking the 60th anniversary of the Notting Hill Carnival and 75 years of steel pan in the UK.
Pictures from the event can be found here.
Previous Summer Parties
UK Music Summer Party 2025
More than 300 guests joined us for the 2025 UK Music Summer Party which brought together industry leaders, politicians and our members for the brilliant event at the IET London on July 14.
UK Music Chief Executive Tom Kiehl opened the event with a keynote speech which set the tone for a night celebrating the UK’s world-leading music industry.
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy delivered a rousing speech on the power of music and was joined at the party by fellow Government Ministers Ellie Reeves, Stephanie Peacock, Catherine McKinnell and Alex Davies-Jones – as well as a host of MPs and peers from across the political divide.
Stars including Eurovision winner Sandie Shaw, acclaimed songwriter Tom Gray, and iconic broadcaster and presenter Steve Lamacq were among those who enjoyed a fantastic performance from outstanding jazz trio Soli – from the Leeds Conservatoire.
Pictures from the event can be found here.
UK Music Summer Party 2024
We had a brilliant performance from the Brixton Chamber Orchestra and inspiring speeches from UK Music Chief Executive Tom Kiehl, UK Music Chair Tom Watson, Culture Minister Chris Bryant and award-winning songwriter Michelle Escoffery. It was also wonderful to honour former APPG for Music Chair Kevin Brennan who stepped down from being an MP at the general election.
Pictures from the event can be found here.
UK Music Summer Party 2023
UK Music’s Summer Party 2023 took place at IET London on July 19, with speeches from CMS Committee Chair Caroline Dinenage MP, Shadow DCMS Secretary Lucy Powell, APPG on Music Chair Kevin Brennan and UK Music Chief Executive Jamie Njoku-Goodwin.
Pictures from the event can be found here.
UK Music Summer Party 2022
With a break of two years following the COVID-19 pandemic, the energy in the room was palpitate as people were excited to be able to meet in person those faces they had only seen on Zoom. In 2022, Matt Warman MP, spoke at the event, which was his first official appearance as Culture Minister. Also speaking was Shadow DCMS Secretary Lucy Powell and Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Music Chair Kevin Brennan, who introduced singer-songwriter Roxanne de Bastion, for a fantastic performance of three songs from her latest album, You & Me, We Are the Same.
Pictures from the event can be found here.
UK Music Summer Party 2019
In 2019, Culture Secretary Jeremy Wright spoke at the Summer Party, and paid tribute to UK Music for a “fantastic year”. Tom Watson, who at the time was Labour Party Deputy Leader and Shadow Culture Secretary also spoke, as did Liberal Democrat Culture spokeswoman in the House of Lords, Baroness Bonham Carter. There was a performance from Scottish songwriter and performer, Tamzene, who played a short set including a beautiful performance of Last Song.
Pictures from the event can be found here.
UK Music Summer Party 2018
Former Culture Minister Matt Hancock spoke at the UK Music Summer Party in 2018. Held in London’s Living Room at City Hall, Shadow Culture Secretary Tom Watson, also spoke, alongside Night Czar Amy Lame, UK Music CEO Michael Dugher, UK Music Chairman Andy Heath and Futures Group member Summer Marshall also gave speeches, followed by a two-song performance by emerging artist Nilufer Yanya.
Pictures from the event can be found here.
UK Music Summer Party 2017
In 2017, the speakers were Digital Minister Matt Hancock, chairman of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Music David Warburton MP, Labour’s deputy leader and Shadow Culture Secretary Tom Watson, UK Music Chief Executive Michael Dugher, UK Music Chair Andy Heath and Lucie Caswell, CEO of the Feature Artists Coalition. Nadine Shah performed to a packed house on in the Commons’ Terrace Pavilion.
Pictures from the event can be found here.
UK Music Summer Party 2016
UK Music hosted its annual Summer Party on the terrace of the House of Commons on Wednesday June 15, with a performance from Declan McKenna.
Pictures from the event can be found here.
