Data: UK music thriving abroad and at home
October 21, 2026



The UK has been a hub for music superstars for decades, but as streaming continues to reach emerging markets and more non-English-speaking artists are connecting with international markets, the global music stage is more crowded and competitive than ever. Even then, Luminate data shows UK music continues to reach international listeners, while UK music listeners are also increasingly passionate consumers.

UK artists are responsible for about 4 per cent of global On-Demand Audio (ODA) streams in 2026. That’s slightly lower than the previous two years, though this trend is happening as both the volume of global streaming consumption continues to grow every year and more artists from emerging streaming markets are breaking out on an international level. But even with those factors at play, the fact that the UK’s share remains relatively steady is a feat and speaks to the caliber of global hitmakers continuing to come from the country. This enduring global appeal of UK acts amid high demand for non-English-speaking artists also potentially presents a prime opportunity for cross-border collaboration. Examples include Coldplay and BTS’ hit song My Universe from 2021 and Bad Bunny teaming with Gorillaz on 2023’s Tormenta.


Music listenership and appreciation also remain particularly strong among those in the UK. Luminate survey data found that 79 per cent of U.K. respondents considered themselves regular music listeners, up from 76 per cent in 2025. UK music listeners are also consuming around 10 per cent more music on a weekly basis than last year, with Gen Z and Millennials leading the charge at 15.2 and 14.6 hours per week, respectively. These increases in listening time correlate with music spending, as UK respondents have spent a reported monthly average of £83 on music this year. Those who shop at Indie music stores have a particularly acute love for music — an unsurprising trend given that the UK is home to legendary Indie labels including Rough Trade and is the birthplace of Indie Rock.

In fact, 34 per cent of UK survey respondents who regularly buy music at Indie record stores reported listening to Indie Rock, twice that of the general population. This segment is also listening to Rock-adjacent genres such as Alternative, Singer-Songwriter and Folk in notably larger percentages. As of H1 2026, the UK is the second-largest global export country (based on UK artists’ total streams outside of their home country), per Luminate’s Export Power Rankings, which evaluate a country’s ability to reach other international markets based on localised streaming data. But excitement and support for local music within a given country ultimately impact its ability to perform on the global stage. Therefore, the UK music industry is in an incredibly good spot as long as it continues to support its artists both at home and abroad, concluded Luminate.