14.07.2026: The UK Music 2026 Summer Party took place at the IET building in London on Monday July 13, where UK Music Chief Executive Tom Kiehl delivered an inspiring speech on the opportunities and challenges facing the music industry today, and Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy MP launched the Government’s new Music Plan. 

With a raft of leading figures from across the worlds of music and politics in attendance, the 2026 UK Music Summer Party saw attendees come together to celebrate the power of the UK’s world-leading music sector.

The evening began in style with a fabulous live performance from the New Generation Steel Orchestra Quartet, before new UK Music Chair Catriona Laing welcomed everyone to the event and kicked off the speeches.

UK Music Chief Executive Tom Kiehl delivered a rousing speech on the huge economic and cultural power of music, as well as pointing to challenges and opportunities facing the sector, including the growing the need for strong copyright and transparency laws around AI, tackling barriers to EU touring and stamping out unscrupulous touts on ticket resale sites.

He also discussed the incoming arrival of the new Prime Minister Andy Burnham and the benefits of having a PM who fully grasps the power of music as a driver of growth.

Tom said: “Music in the UK contributes an incredible £8 billion to the economy, brings in £4.8 billion in export revenues and supports 220,000 jobs. We want to work with policymakers to make sure that this immense contribution is not only recognised but nurtured, protected and turbocharged, ensuring continued growth for generations to come.”

You can read Tom’s speech in full below.

BPI Chair and award-winning musician YolanDa Brown OBE delivered a moving tribute to the late MOBO founder and CEO Kanya King and label exectuive Alexi Cory-Smith, before Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy MP gave an inspiring address as she launched the Government’s new Music Plan, which pledges to invest a further £15 million into the Music Growth Package in 2025. You can find out more on the plan here.

Lisa Nandy said: “You all know that this is as much your plan as it is ours, and that is why I really believe in it. Because I believe in you and I know that it is going to transform what is not just an incredible industry and one of the greatest British success stories, but also something that changes lives, lights up the world and helps us to connect to one another.

“And what strikes me every single time I come here is just how much you believe in the power of music. All of you. Not just as an industry, not just as an export success, but because you’ve seen what it can do for people’s lives. And I see it too. Music is the language that connects us. It corosses boundaries, it bridges divides and it helps us to understand one another at a time when it feels so often that we’ve lost our ability to understand one another. Music matters more than ever.”

Read more on UK Music’s response to the Government’s music plan here.

You can find a photo gallery from the event here. You can view our highlights video here.

See Tom Kiehl’s speech in full below.

“Good evening, I’m Tom Kiehl, Chief Executive of UK Music.

“We are the collective voice of the UK’s incredible music industry, bringing our sector together to collaborate, campaign and champion the power of music.

“I would like to start with a few thank yous. Firstly, by thanking you all for being here tonight. It’s great to see so many of you here coming together to celebrate our world-leading industry.

“And, a huge thank you to the New Generation Steel Orchestra Quartet for kicking things off with such a fantastic performance, helping us mark the 60th anniversary of the Notting Hill Carnival and 75 years of steel pan in the UK.

“I would also like to thank my UK Music team and our amazing members for their work since we were gathered here a year ago – AIM, BPI, FAC, Ivors Academy, MMF, MPA, MPG, MU, PPL and PRS for Music. Their tireless efforts tackling the big issues facing our sector are helping shape our industry and ensure it continues to grow in the years ahead.

“A lot has changed since I stood here 12 months ago, including some big changes within the UK Music team. After six years, Lord Tom Watson has stood down from his role as our Chair at UK Music.

“I would like to thank Tom for the fantastic job he has done, taking on the role just as COVID hit and guiding us through one of the most turbulent periods our industry has ever endured. His ability to bring people together and skillfully steer us through some intensely challenging times is something we will always be grateful for.

“Now, we are very excited to begin working with our new Chair Catriona Laing. She’s only been in the role for a few weeks but will have chatted with many of you already and is looking forward to meeting more of you this evening. Her wealth of experience and lifelong passion for music will be pivotal in navigating our Board at a crucial time.

“We are also saying goodbye to our brilliant Diversity Taskforce Chair Ammo Talwar. His boundless energy has driven a huge amount of positive change in our sector – including earlier this year when we launched our groundbreaking Black Music Means Business report. Please join me in saying a huge thank you to Ammo for his fantastic work and welcoming our new Chair Arit Eminue.

“Meanwhile, along the river in Westminster, there have also been a few notable changes. As a trade body, we are not averse to currying favour with a potential new Prime Minister from Manchester who is, rather helpfully, a big fan of music.

“All I would say about Andy is that he seems like a Charming Man, who will Live Forever, and Some Might Say that if, on One Day Like This, maybe a Blue Monday, he were to Sit Down next to me, I’d say don’t Panic, Don’t Look Back in Anger at the last Government, it doesn’t need to be a Bittersweet Symphony, you’ve got to keep Moving On Up, have True Faith, and think I Wanna Be Adored.

“In all seriousness, we are hugely excited to begin working with the expected new Prime Minister and his ministers to ensure the UK music industry continues to lead the way on the world stage.

“Andy’s love and passion for music is well established, as is his affinity with UK Music and the work of our members. After all, he was the Culture Secretary at the point we launched 18 years ago. Indeed, as some of you here today may remember, back in 2008, Andy spoke at UK Music’s first ever creators’ conference, where he highlighted the enormous economic and cultural power of music.

“It may be 18 years later – but that message hasn’t changed. Music in the UK contributes an incredible £8 billion to the economy, brings in £4.8 billion in export revenues and supports 220,000 jobs. We want to work with policymakers to make sure that this immense contribution is not only recognised but nurtured, protected and turbocharged, ensuring continued growth for generations to come.

“I know that the Secretary of State Lisa Nandy will be launching the Government’s Music Plan at this event. UK Music has long called for a music strategy and is delighted that the Government is taking this forward. We look forward to bringing the sector together to make the most of this opportunity and thank ministers and officials for choosing our Summer Party to make this important announcement.

“Turning back to Andy Burnham for a minute, I think that having a new Prime Minister who is so ingrained and immersed in the culture of music gives us a huge advantage in making sure our voice is heard, our contribution valued, and our position as a world leader in music cemented.

“Building on the Music Plan, there are however FIVE key tests that UK Music will be looking to Andy to see how he can help us to keep music at the top of the charts.

“Firstly, crucial to the ongoing success story that is the UK music industry is the removal of costly and prohibitive barriers to EU touring. It’s been 10 years since the Brexit referendum and countless artists are still being prevented from touring the EU because of red tape and soaring costs.

“The ability to build fanbases in new markets is absolutely essential – not just for the development of artists but for the future of our industry too. I would urge Andy Burnham to stand by the promise of Labour’s 2024 manifesto commitments to tear down the barriers to EU touring – and we will work with his government to ensure this is delivered.

“Secondly, and this brings me to another pre-Election pledge that must be delivered as a matter of urgency. I am sure I speak for most of us in this room with some concern when moves to crackdown on the menace of ticket touts were not included as primary legislation in the King’s Speech.

“Let me be clear, these rip off resellers must be stamped out. Their profiteering practices have been exploiting true music fans for far too long and denying industry vital revenue. Music fans are the lifeblood of our industry, and a fair price cap must be introduced to stop them from being priced out of the market. This must not be delayed.

“Thirdly, like Andy Burnham I am a huge advocate for devolution and firmly believe that decision-making is best taken at a level closest to the people. The power and potential of music in the UK can be felt the length and breadth of the country.

“Whether it’s the BRITs and MOBOs going to Manchester, the Mercury Prize moving to Newcastle, or local authorities signing up to UK Music’s Local Music Action Charter to boost regional economies, music touches every part of the country.

“Manchesterism” has been used to describe Andy Burnham’s political philosophy. While I am told that the spike in parkas, bucket hats and Adidas Gazelles amongst ministers looking to shore up their positions is purely coincidental, I would ask the incoming Prime Minister not to forget about the music industry version of Manchesterism – “Madchesterism”. I’m not sure if it’s going to catch on! But it’s vital that Andy and his ministerial team think about how important it is to ensure that music policy and the new Music Plan are at the heart of this exciting new devolution agenda too.

“And then fourth there is of course, the growing impact of Artificial Intelligence on our sector. On AI our message is the same strong but vital message that it has always been. AI firms must seek permission to use music, pay properly and be fully transparent about how it has been used. They need to stop stealing the work of music creators.

“This is not about being anti-AI, it is about being pro-creators; and pro-business. Innovations and breakthroughs are being made every day. Which is why we need to work with the tech sector to ensure it enhances and advances the world of music and human creativity, and not act against it.

“We were encouraged earlier this year to hear that following extensive campaigning from UK Music, our members, and the wider creative sector, the Government had climbed down from initial plans to allow AI firms to use music without permission. But while this is now no longer the Government’s preferred option, Andy Burnham could win over an army of music fans and those working in our sector by abandoning any plans for a damaging copyright exception entirely.

“Fifth and finally, from Glastonbury and The Proms, to the amazing opportunities offered to new acts by initiatives like BBC Introducing, the value the BBC brings to our sector is immense, as well as music being an enormous asset to the BBC. Ahead of the BBC Charter Review we believe music must remain at the heart of the BBC, with a sustainable funding model secured. The BBC is a fantastic champion of music and we should do everything we can to protect that. I would simply say – Our BBC, Our Music.

“I would also like to say a huge thank you once again not only to our incredible outgoing and incoming Chairs, and our brilliant members and the entire UK Music team, but to everyone in this room.

“All of us here tonight believe in the power of music. We know the life-changing impact it can have on people and communities, from boosting economies and driving employment, to giving people moments and memories that will last for a lifetime.

“In the past year alone, we’ve seen so many brilliant UK acts delight music fans the world over, from the return of Oasis, Lily Allen and Take That, to Olivia Dean, Raye and Harry Styles. So, I urge you to continue celebrating, championing and supporting our amazing industry, and to have a wonderful evening tonight. Thank you.”