22.07.2025: At a busy meeting hosted by the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Music, MPs, Peers and industry leaders came together to discuss the critical role that music plays in driving local economic growth right across the UK. 

Chaired by Alex Sobel MP, the meeting explored why MPs and Peers who are a member of the APPG should support their local music scene this summer, whether by attending a nearby festival, visiting an independent record store or dropping into a local recording studio.

Opening the meeting, John Rostron from the Association of Independent Festivals (AIF) shared the findings from their new report Festival Forecast 2025. The report found that 592 festivals are scheduled for 2025, down from the pre-pandemic peak of up to 900.

This contraction underscores the urgent need for policy support. John explained the unique challenges many festivals face when they are only technically operating on four days of the year, and told the group innovate examples festival owners use throughout the year. He also described how a music festival tax relief could help future-proof the sector. 

Next Andrew Lansley, who works to improve sustainability and accessibility at festivals including Glastonbury and Cheltenham, shared the findings from the Green Events Code of Practice National Pilot. Ten local authorities across England, including Bristol, Reading, Liverpool and Manchester, participated in the trial of 60 events across the UK with a combined capacity of 2.3m people. They tested the impact of adhering to minimum environmental standards and found that the process led to event organisers putting in place new sustainability measures with multiple benefits for local authorities.  

Tom Kiehl, Chief Executive at UK Music, then highlighted the sector’s regional impact as recently reported in our report Hometown Glory. It found that in 2024, 23.5 million music tourists attended concerts, festivals and grassroots venues outside London, injecting an estimated £10 billion into local economies and supporting around 72,000 full-time jobs. New polling also shows 62 percent of UK adults regard live music as vital to highstreet renewal, and half would attend more events if reliable transport were provided. 

Finally, Olga FitzRoy of UK Music introduced the Local Music Action Charter, a voluntary framework urging councils to streamline venue planning, invest in community studios and embed musicfriendly measures in local strategies. The Local Music Action Charter offers practical steps for councils and combined authorities to unlock the benefits of  music locally. MPs in the room were encouraged to consider adopting it as a strategic tool to align music policy with their local goals. They were also assured that they don’t need a big budget to get started.  

Moving on to the Q&A, MPs and Peers asked about how to increase knowledge sharing between different festivals as well as the role of Live Nation UK as the largest festival owner in the country. Members also shared stories about festivals and music initiatives in their local area and suggested the DCMS Select Committee fan led review of live music may be a helpful vehicle for some of these policy asks.  

Throughout the meeting, the speakers emphasised practical steps Parliamentarians can take to support their local music scene such as attend a local festival, shop at independent record stores, visit community recording studios and continue holding local representatives to account for musicfriendly policies.  

Attendees at the meeting included Alex Sobel MP, Samantha Niblett MP, Patrick Hurley MP, Ann Davies MP, the Earl of Clancarty, Lord Kevin Brennan, and the offices of Pete Wishart MP and Gill German MP, alongside representatives from Hay Festivals and Live Nation UK.