UK rocks with £2.2billion year of music
FANS flocking to see iconic bands like the Rolling Stones boosted Britain’s economy by £2.2billion last year.
The ‘Wish You Were Here’ report from UK Music and VisitBritain revealed that 6.5million people attended concerts or festivals in 2012. The Stones appeared at the O2 in London last November and at Glastonbury this summer.
The music lovers, 94 per cent from the UK and six per cent from overseas, forked out £1.3billion on buying tickets, transport and accommodation, with £914million going on indirect spending such as food and drink. The demand created over 24,000 jobs.
UK Music chief executive Jo Dipple said: “Music is doing a great job for the British economy.”
VisitBritain said it planned to work more closely with festival organisers to promote British music abroad.