Centre for Euro-Asian Studies evidence informs UK Parliament report on competition in the UK live music industry

The written evidence was submitted by Professor Yelena Kalyuzhnova, Director of CEAS, and Dr Olena Khlystova, Lecturer in Management and Organisational Behaviour. It focused on barriers to entry and expansion faced by new and smaller promoters, venues, ticketing firms, freelancers and micro-businesses.

The submission drew on qualitative research from the British Academy Small Grant project, based on 28 in-depth interviews with creative workers, micro-business owners and practitioners across the UK music industry. It highlighted how financial precarity, fragile grassroots infrastructure, administrative burdens, digital platform dependency and unequal access to support can constrain fair competition and sustainable growth.

Several themes from the evidence are reflected in the Committee's report, which highlights the importance of grassroots venues and infrastructure to the wider live music industry and supports the introduction of an industry-led levy on arena and stadium tickets to support grassroots music. This closely aligns with the CEAS' recommendation that grassroots infrastructure should be protected and strengthened as a condition for enabling entry, expansion and long-term sector resilience.

The report also reflects the CEAS' concern that smaller and independent operators face structural barriers when competing with larger vertically integrated firms. In particular, it highlights how market concentration can reduce opportunities for independent promoters and venues to access artists, scale activity and participate on fair terms across the wider touring circuit.

Dr Olena Khlystova said:

"We are delighted that our research has contributed to this important Parliamentary inquiry. The UK live music industry is a vital part of the creative economy, but our evidence shows that smaller operators, freelancers and grassroots organisations often face serious structural barriers. We welcome the Committee's recognition that fair competition and a healthy music ecosystem require more than individual resilience; they require appropriate support, transparency and attention to the conditions that enable smaller actors to survive and grow."

The full Competition and market functioning in the UK live music industry report can be accessed on the UK Parliament website.