The Third UKElectronic Music Report 5th February 2025 Contents Overview Goals for this ReportOne-page SummaryKey FactsContributors Forewords Michael Kill, CEO, Night Time Industries Association9Wez Saunders, CEO, Defected Records10Dame Caroline Dinenage, Chair of the DCMS Select Committee11Sacha Lord, Co-Creator, Parklife Festival and The Warehouse Project; Chair, Night Time Industries Association11Freek Wallagh, Night Mayor of Amsterdam12Duncan King, Head of Festivals & Partnerships (B2B), Skiddle12Steven Braines, Co-founder, HE.SHE.THEY.; Board Member, NTIA13 1.1 Value Creation in Motion1.2 Economic Struggles of Nightclubs1.3 The Festival Effect1.4 The Impact of Mega Venues1.5 Digital Transformation1.6 Adaptation and Innovation1.7 Broader Economic Impact1.8 The Total Economic Impact of Electronic Music1.9 Looking Forward🔍Case Study: Defected Records - Building Sustainable Success in Electronic Music🔍Case Study: Hospital Records - Independent Label Evolution in the Streaming Era🔍Case Study: Rubadub - At the Heart of Britain's Vinyl Capital 2. Physical Heart: The Club Experience 2.1 The New Economics of Space2.2 Reimagining the Dancefloor2.3 Infrastructure and Access💡Adapting to Economic Pressure: Creative Solutions in Club Culture2.4 Higher Production and Costs2.5 Community and Safety in Focus2.6 Property Pressures and Protection2.7 Changing Habits2.8 Looking Forward🔍Case Study: FOLD London - Reimagining the Modern Music Venue🔍Case Study: Motion Bristol - When Cultural Excellence Isn't Enough 3. Cultural Heart: Audiences, Subcultures & Accessibility 3.1 Scene Mapping and Subcultures💡The Evolution of Scene Engagement: A Tale of Two Pathways3.2 Community and Connection3.3 Digital Impact3.4 Accessible Entry Points and Pathways3.5 Mental Health and Wellbeing 💡Electronic Music as Social Medicine: Building Wellbeing Through Bass3.6 Looking Forward🔍Case Study: BLACMEX - Building New Networks for Black Music Genres🔍Case Study: Pxssy Palace - Pioneering Inclusive Nightlife🔍Case Study: Super Sonix - Creating Electronic Music's Next Generation 4. Global Heart: UK's International Influence 4.1 Export Power and Digital Reach4.2 Cultural Innovation and Genre Evolution4.3 Media Amplification4.4 The Talent Paradox4.5 Market Dynamics and Growth Territories4.6 Recognition Gap4.7 Looking Forward 5. Fostering the Future: Building Tomorrow's Scene5.1 Secondary Education and Talent Development5.2 Scene Infrastructure and Economic Sustainability5.3 Policy Recognition and Support5.4 Cultural Investment and Inclusion5.5 Public Health and Safety Infrastructure5.6 Looking Forward 6. ConclusionAppendix 1: About Audience StrategiesOther Reports We’ve Worked on That You’ll Be Interested InAppendix 2: Scope and Definitions Overview This report was commissioned by the NTIA to fully understand the economic contribution and thecultural significance of the electronic music industry to the UK economy. It was led byAudienceStrategies, an agency that uses data to help artists and brands understand their audiences and thetrends they’re driving. We measured everything we could and came up with a total for the electronic music industry’smeasurable impact. But there is so much more that we can’t measure now. SO MUCH MORE. Wedescribe this and bring it to life with academic studies and a wealth of personal experiences fromindustry professionals and artists. Goals for this Report The purpose of this report is to delve into the economic and cultural footprint of the UK's electronicmusic industry, assessing its influence on both the national economy and cultural landscape. Thisthird edition of the report not only updates our findings but also tracks changes within the industry,underscoring our commitment to providing robust data, economic analysis, and insights into theperspectives of both the industry and its audience. Our primary aim is to highlight the electronic music industry's value, underline its importance, andpinpoint both the challenges it faces and the opportunities it offers. We seek to establish fundingmechanisms for artists and DJs and bolster support for grassroots venues and promoters. Equallycritical is our objective to enhance educational initiatives to address the industry's talent pipelinegaps, ensuring its sustainability. We will present a comprehensive overview of the electronic music scene, from the energy of thedancefloor to the creativity within recording studios, celebrating the diverse talent propelling theindustry. Our exploration will cover the sector's economic contributions, including recorded music,music publishing, and the vibrant live scene encompassing concerts, events, and festivals. The reportwill also focus on the unique role of electronic music nightclubs in cultivating community, inclusivity,and tolerance. Further, we will discuss the pivotal role of education in securing the industry's future and examine theeffects of gentrification, licensing, and zoning on the sector. Our int