Liverpool City Regions Music Industry Worth 780 Million, Eyes 1 Billion by 2035

From the historic docks of Liverpool to the cutting‑edge studios of Wirral, the region’s music sector is a living, breathing engine that now contributes £780 million to the local economy each year. The figure, announced on 11 June 2026, comes from a study titled The Liverpool City Region Music Economy: Toward a £1 bn Sector, funded by the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority (LCRCA) through its music‑industry development pilot and commissioned by Liverpool City Council.

The report builds on five years of sector development led by the Liverpool City Region Music Board. Its analysis shows the industry generates £406 million in gross value added (GVA) and supports more than 7,200 full‑time equivalent (FTE) roles. Other coverage of the sector reports that it supports over 14,000 jobs when part‑time and temporary work are counted, underscoring a broader employment impact.

A key finding is the existence of a specialised industrial cluster that excels in live performance, technical production and music rights. Globally recognised organisations such as Sentric Music, Adlib Audio, Ditto Music and the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic sit at the centre of this ecosystem, surrounded by a dense network of venues, recording studios and micro‑businesses that form the backbone of the region’s music economy.

"Music runs through this city region like a heartbeat – it always has," said Steve Rotheram, mayor of the Liverpool City Region. "This research shows it’s also a sophisticated, export‑driven industry creating good jobs and powering growth right here, right now. The pathway to a £1 bn music economy is within reach, and this report sets out how we get there. I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve built, and we’re committed to backing this world‑class sector for the long term." Rotheram’s remarks echo the report’s conclusion that the sector is already outperforming national datasets and is on a clear trajectory to reach £1 billion by 2035.

The LCRCA has overseen economic development, transport, culture and tourism in the region since its 2014 establishment. Its music‑industry development pilot, which funded the report, is part of a broader strategy to support creative industries across the six boroughs. Liverpool City Council, which has governed the city since 1974, played a key role in commissioning the study.

Methodologically, the report mapped the supply chain of the music sector, analysed revenue streams from live events, studio work, publishing and rights management, and estimated multiplier effects on related industries. It also identified export opportunities, noting that the region’s music exports have grown steadily over the past decade.

Industry stakeholders welcomed the findings. Sentric Music, a leading independent publisher acquired by Believe Music in 2023, said it will use the data to strengthen its regional partnerships. Adlib Audio and Ditto Music indicated plans to expand studio and distribution services in response to the identified growth potential.

The final section of the report outlines policy recommendations aimed at sustaining momentum: targeted investment in live‑event infrastructure, support for technical training programmes, and incentives for intellectual‑property management. The LCRCA and Liverpool City Council have pledged to review these recommendations in the coming months.

In short, the Liverpool City Region’s music industry delivers £780 million annually, supports thousands of jobs, and is on a clear path to becoming a global hub for music production, performance and rights management. With a roadmap to a £1 billion sector by 2035, the region is poised to amplify its cultural and economic influence on the world stage.