UK Music, the collective voice of the music industry, today
(Wednesday 14th July) publishes a major new survey
that reveals the crucial role music played in helping people
through Covid-19 lockdowns - and how the public are craving the
return of live music.
In the largest survey of its kind since Covid-19 forced the
closure of large parts of the music industry in March 2020, the
key findings of the wide-ranging poll revealed:
- 57% of adults said music had helped them cope with lockdown
- Around one million adults say they have taken up an
instrument during lockdown
- 71% think music makes them more productive at work/studying
UK Music commissioned pollsters Public First for the
representative survey of the British public to find out their
feelings about the importance of music during the Covid-19
pandemic.
The survey shows how music became even more important to millions
of people during periods of lockdown and helped them during
Covid-enforced isolation.
The findings also reveal how the public are keen to flock back to
live music and believe music makes them more productive at work
and helps them cope with stress and anxiety.
The Impact of Music on Mental Health During
Lockdowns:
- 57% of adults say that music helped them cope during lockdown
- compared to just 14% who disagreed
- 59% of those quizzed say music aided their health and
wellbeing - against only 11% who disagreed
- 31% say they turned to music when feeling anxious and 56%
listen to music to improve their mood or when they are feeling
low
- 42% say they listened to more music during lockdown
- Around one million adults say they have taken up an
instrument during lockdown
- 74% say music is important to their quality of life - with
39% saying that importance has increased during the past year
- 26% say listening to music is their favourite hobby - second
only to watching TV (42%) - and well ahead of watching films
(18%) and playing video games (15%)
- 71% think music makes them more productive at work/studying
The Importance of Live Music & Venues To The
Nation:
- Despite Covid-19, 43% of the public are interested in going
to a live concert, gig or festival this year
- Two-thirds (66%) said they planned to attend as many or even
more gigs than before Covid-19 hit
- Among 18-24 year-olds, 38% say going to a music festival or
gig is one of the things they are most looking forward to
- Almost half the public (45%) are worried about the financial
viability of their local music venues due to the impact of
Covid-19
The findings are a huge boost to the UK music industry, which has
been devastated by the ongoing impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The sector contributed £5.8 billion to the UK economy
pre-Covid-19 and supports around 200,000 jobs.
UK Music Chief Executive said:
“These results demonstrate just how important music is to our
nation and the critical role it has played over the course of
this pandemic.
“Music has been vital not only in helping the public cope with
the impact of the Covid-19 lockdowns and improving mental health
and wellbeing, but also in making people more productive while
they work.
“Combined with the huge economic contribution the music industry
made pre-Covid-19, this is further evidence that the UK music
industry is a key national asset that should be protected and
supported by Government.
“With the right support, music can continue to play a vital role
in improving people’s health and wellbeing in the months ahead as
we look to recover from this pandemic.
“We are working with Government, charities and organisations
across the health and music sectors to look at innovative ways we
can use music as a force for good in as many lives as possible.
“People are clearly missing going to festivals, gigs and concerts
and eagerly awaiting the return of live music without social
distancing. While the announcement of an end to restrictions from
July 19 was very welcome, there remains one crucial last piece to
the puzzle: action on insurance.
“Suggestions that restrictions may be reintroduced later this
year creates huge risk for event organisers and the inability to
obtain commercial insurance means many live events have already
been called off this year.
“Many more are still at risk of cancellation, so we need the
Government to introduce an insurance scheme that enables
organisers to plan events with confidence into the autumn and
beyond.
“The music industry should play a key role in our country’s
economic and cultural recovery, and there is huge appetite from
the public for festivals and live events – but without a
Government-backed insurance scheme there is a very real risk that
events will continue to be cancelled.”
ENDS
Notes to editors:
Details of the survey results can be found here:
http://www.publicfirst.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/UKMusic_Abridged.pdf
Public First questioned a representative sample of 1,002 people
from April 9 to April 13 2021 with the data weighted by
interlocking age & gender, region and social grade to
Nationally Representative Proportions.
