UK Music acts as an advocate representing all sectors of the music industry. Every year, the organization releases a report called This is Music, the latest edition of which details the economic impact music has on the U.K. economy.

One key piece of data paints an alarming picture: in 2020, music industry jobs dropped to 128,000. In 2019, it was 197,000 – meaning there was a 35% decrease.

This drop in employment devalues the music industry by billions of pounds. Artists’ income dropped by 40% thanks to COVID-19 precautions preventing them from performing live shows (typically their primary source of income). Live music revenue also saw a 90% drop, down to a couple hundred million pounds. This is in stark contrast to pre-pandemic levels.

Many industry professionals struggle to get by during the pandemic due to their status as self-employed contractors. Musicians, in particular, relied on personal savings, royalties, and publishing deals to make ends meet.

Despite all this, one sector managed to thrive during the pandemic: music streaming services. Many attribute this to music consumers having a lot more free time on their hands.

A recent report from the Night Time Industries Association (NTIA) found similar music industry employment numbers.

Most of the key figures presented in the report correspond to the 2018 cycle. For instance, the authors estimate that the music industry contributed £5.2 billion to the U.K. economy that year. Export revenue for the industry that year was estimated at £2.7 billion, meanwhile, and employment in music reached an all-time high of 190,935.

Music By Numbers 2019 also warns of threats to U.K. music professionals. It reports that 35% of grassroots venues have closed over the past decade, and 30% fewer people have pursued studies in “A-level music.” Brexit, the authors note, will also threaten artists’ ability to travel inexpensively.

UK Music Chief Executive Michael Dugher and Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport RT Hon Nicky Morgan oversaw the Music By Numbers report. It built upon methodology developed for the reports Measuring Music and Wish You Were Here, which it cites as “forerunners.” Music lawyers and accountants have been added to the sub-sector of music representatives, and the definition of the publishing sector has been revised, among other improvements.

Music By Numbers 2019 breaks down the aforementioned figures by sector in addition to other insights. It’s available in its entirety on the UK Music website.

Image credit: Alexander Popov

According to UK Music’s letter, the country’s music industry accounts for £5.2 billion of the annual GDP as well as 200,000 jobs. Lawmaker relief, they argue, hasn’t compared to that of Germany and Australia. To rectify that, they ask for a clear reopening timeline, a business and employment support package, and a value added tax on all ticket sales.

As part of an initial July 2nd push, superstars from across the music spectrum tweeted the hashtag. Joining them were organizations like the Night Time Industries Association (NTIA), who themselves shared a grim outlook for U.K. without government aid clubs in a May survey.

Itching to get back to my happy place…#LetTheMusicPlay pic.twitter.com/sRoyXNRwRN

— Black Coffee (@RealBlackCoffee) July 2, 2020

#LetTheMusicPlay, asking the UK government to support the live music industry, which is in crisis at the moment with 50% of its workforce facing unemployment.

Please join in by sharing your own pics or vids of the last gig you went to before lockdown, tagging #LetTheMusicPlay. pic.twitter.com/pNkNUa7ued

— Fatboy Slim (@FatboySlim) July 2, 2020

UK live music scene is in deep trouble right now and urgently needs support from the government. We will lose so many venues and the crew and production teams etc that make everything possible need support. Check #LetTheMusicPlay to see what’s going on. pic.twitter.com/0Vk1nHlSyy

— Four Tet (@FourTet) July 2, 2020

NTIA Supports The Live Music Industry which added 4.5 Billion to the economy in 2019 and supported 210, 000 jobs across the UK! We are asking artists, fans, venues and professionals to share videos and images of their last live gig TODAY under the banner of #LetTheMusicPlay pic.twitter.com/D7vdgnjW6L

— NTIA (@wearethentia) July 2, 2020

Learn more about #LetTheMusicPlay on the UK Music website.