Live continues to power the electronic music business to new heights, as revenues settle at more than double pre-pandemic levels.

The EDM industry was valued at $12.9 billion (€11.3bn) – up 6% year-on-year – according to the IMS Business Report 2025, which was presented today on the opening morning of IMS (International Music Summit) Ibiza.

Authored by MIDiA Research’s Mark Mulligan, the report noted that the growth rate was lower than the 9% achieved in the previous 12 months – a slowdown attributed mainly to live music “settling into organic, post-Covid boom rates of growth”.

“Global music industry revenue grew again in 2024, though at a slower rate than in 2023 due to maturing streaming revenues and the post-Covid live resurgence lessening,” says Mulligan. “Electronic music however, continued to increase its share of both revenues and culture.

“Driven by the rise of new genres like Afro House, a renaissance for genres like Drum & Bass, and the rise of a new generation of fans, creators and scenes remaking electronic music in their own image, electronic music finds itself at the start of a brave new era of culture resonance.”

Live was still the biggest earner, however, with festivals and clubs remaining the largest revenue source. Ibiza club ticketing revenue rose to €150 million in 2024 – up 6% on the previous year’s €141m. That figure does not include VIP, meaning the total value created for the local economy was even higher.

Higher ticket prices were responsible for the increase, since the average number of events per venue dipped slightly from 147 to 144. Electronic acts made up 18% of the line-ups of the top 100 festivals – up from 16% in 2023. Nine of the top 100 were electronic music festivals.

“The post-Covid recalibration is done, and live music has come out on top”

“The post-Covid recalibration is done, and live music has come out on top,” reads the report. “Revenue growth normalised in 2024, but with revenues more than double what they were pre-Covid. Growth was boosted by pre-sales for 2025 tours. However, higher ticket prices were the main driver of growth rather than volume of tickets sold.

“The higher end did best, with big tours at big venues and high-priced tickets boosting revenues, while the lower end of the market faces venue closures and lower willingness and ability to spend by many consumers.”

However, DSPs were the fastest growing segment for the first time, ascending 18%.

“While live still leads revenues, streaming has more growth potential and is growing faster,” adds the report.

IMS 2025 runs at the Mondrian Ibiza and Hyde Ibiza hotels in Cala Llonga from 23-25 April,” says IMS co-founder Ben Turner. “The IMS Business Report continues to evolve each year, with more robust data and the benefit of over a decade of compilation — allowing us to truly compare and contrast the state of the electronic music industry.

“Our annual health check this year reflects continued growth and major developments: the Superstruct acquisition reshaping live, rising momentum in key genres like Afro House and Drum & Bass, ongoing catalogue acquisitions, and unprecedented engagement with the genre on cultural platforms such as TikTok.”

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The confirmed death toll from the Jet Set club roof collapse in the Dominican Republic has reached 184.

The victims included merengue singer Rubby Pérez, who was performing at the 1,000-cap nightclub in Santo Domingo when the tragedy unfolded in the early hours of 8 April.

“It is with deep regret that we report the passing of our beloved Rubby Pérez,” says a post on the 69-year-old’s social media channels. “We sincerely appreciate all the love, support and solidarity we have received at this very difficult time to your family, friends and supporters. His musical and human legacy will live forever in our hearts.”

Hundreds of people were in attendance at the concert. AP reports that dust began falling from the ceiling and into people’s drinks moments before the entire roof collapsed.

More than 255 people were injured, according to the authorities, with rescue crews still searching for survivors among the debris.

“There are not enough words to express the pain caused by this event”

“As long as they report that there is a missing person, we will be here,” said emergency operations director Juan Manuel Méndez.

The cause of the tragedy is not yet known, with investigations currently ongoing. The 50-year-old venue stresses that it is collaborating “fully and transparently” with the authorities to clarify what happened.

“The loss of life leaves us in a state of profound pain and dismay,” adds the club’s statement. “We have activated all possible mechanisms to provide support to those affected. There are not enough words to express the pain caused by this event. What happened has been devastating for everyone.”

A spokesperson says the club’s management remain in “constant communication” with the Emergency Operations Center (COE), while search and rescue efforts continue with emergency teams, volunteers, and staff from more than 22 institutions.

The tragedy comes just weeks after 60 people died in a fire during a concert by hip-hop duo DNK at the Pulse nightclub in Kočani, North Macedonia.

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Dozens of venues in North Macedonia have been shuttered for not holding valid licences in the wake of the deadly Pulse nightclub fire.

Fifty-nine people died, including six minors, and 197 were injured after a blaze ripped through the Kočani club in the early hours of Sunday (16 March) during a concert by domestic hip-hop act DNK. The government declared seven days of national mourning to honour the victims.

Reuters reports that 13 people have been remanded in custody for 30 days as investigations continue into the fire, which state prosecutor Ljupco Kocevski says was caused by a “chain of omissions and illegal actions by officials”.

The government ordered a three-day inspection of nightclubs and cabarets across the country in the aftermath of the tragedy, with spokesperson Marija Miteva reporting that only 22 of the 50 establishments inspected in several cities were found to have valid licences.

“For all premises with expired licenses or no licence at all, the state market inspectorate has ordered the suspension of activities until all necessary documents are reviewed and validated,” said Miteva.

DNK’s 43-year-old singer Andrej Gorgieski was among those killed in the tragedy

The Pulse fire is believed to have been ignited by sparks from pyrotechnic devices as DNK were playing on stage. The group’s 43-year-old singer Andrej Gorgieski was among those killed.

According to officials, the club – a converted carpet warehouse – was at double its 250 capacity and had obtained its licence illegally. Multiple safety violations were also detected, while interior minister PanceToskovski told reporters there were “grounds for suspicion that there is bribery and corruption” surrounding the venue.

People congregated at Macedonia Square in the capital Skopje on Tuesday (18 March) to pay tribute to the victims, with funerals held across the country yesterday (20 March). Anti-corruption protests have also taken place.

The incident was the deadliest nightclub fire since 64 people died in a blaze at the Colectiv club in Bucharest, Romania, a decade ago.

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Live music business organisations in the UK have delivered their verdicts on the King’s Speech.

Addressing the Houses of Parliament, King Charles outlined the new Labour government’s legislative priorities in the wake of their landslide general election victory.

Perhaps most pertinent to the live industry is Sir Keir Starmer’s party’s commitment to anti-terror measures for venues, dubbed ‘Martyn’s Law‘ in tribute to Martyn Hett, who was killed alongside 21 others in the bombing at Manchester Arena on 22 May 2017.

The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill – also known as Protect Duty – will require venues to take steps to improve public safety, with measures dependent on the size of the venue and the activity taking place. Penalties for non-compliance would range from fines to permanent closure and criminal sanctions.

“Measures will be introduced to improve the safety and security of public venues and help keep the British public safe from terrorism,” said the King.

“The previous draft would have failed to deliver these objectives while placing disproportionate burdens on venues and festivals”

The Night Time Industries Association (NTIA) says the move “represents a major leap forward in public safety”.

“It is crucial that this law harmonises with existing legislation, supports and improves current operational practices, and remains cost-effective in today’s economic environment,” says CEO Michael Kill.

Elsewhere, Jon Collins, CEO of LIVE, says the trade body is looking forward “to working collaboratively with Labour in government to unleash the potential of our sector”, but reiterates its plea for the anti-terror measures to be revised.

“We recognise government endeavours to improve the safety and security of public venues and keep the British public safe through the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill,” says Collins. “We fully support the objectives of this Bill, but the previous draft would have failed to deliver these objectives while placing disproportionate burdens on venues and festivals, so an urgent review of the government’s approach is needed.”

Previously, the Home Affairs Committee warned the measures would “place a significant and disproportionate burden on smaller venues” in its current form, while “failing to ensure adequate safety measures at all public events at risk of terror attacks”.

“We remain committed to working with government to ensure any new requirements are workable and, crucially, build on existing steps taken by industry to deliver greater reassurance and safety for concertgoers,” continues Collins.

“The government’s plans to reset relations with the EU can enable UK artists to tour more easily, and we urge quick action on this”

Other pledges relevant to the live biz include an effort to “reset the relationship with European partners and work to improve the United Kingdom’s trade and investment relationship with the European Union”.

“The government’s plans to reset relations with the EU can enable UK artists to tour more easily, and we urge quick action on this,” says Collins, who also supports plans for the formation of a new body called Skills England, as well as legislation giving new powers to metro mayors and combined authorities.

“We welcome the creation of Skills England and plans to reform the apprenticeship levy which align with our Live Music Manifesto proposals,” adds Collins. “The English Devolution Bill will be a positive step in awarding metro mayors with greater powers to drive local economic growth.”

While no mention was made in the King’s Speech of Labour’s pledge to introduce new consumer protections on ticket resale, the NTIA has backed the announcement of the introduction of a specific crime for spiking.

“This legislative change, one of the key asks from the previous government by the NTIA at the House of Lords select committee, will significantly enhance the role of the police,” says Kill. “By providing a robust data source to address this issue and focusing on direct intelligence to capture perpetrators, we can better protect our patrons and ensure safer environments in our venues.”

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At least 13 people have died following a fire that spread to three nightclubs in Murcia, south-east Spain, in the early hours of yesterday (1 October).

The blaze, which is believed to be the country’s deadliest nightclub fire since 43 people were killed in Zaragoza in 1990, reportedly broke out in the La Fonda Milagros club in the Atalayas area at around 6am, before engulfing the neighbouring Teatre and Golden.

According to the BBC, it is not yet clear what caused the fire, but it is understood to have broken out on the first floor of La Fonda.

The Guardian reports that Murcia city council says that it appears that the Teatre and La Fonda Milagros nightclubs had been operating without a licence since January last year after planning concerns were raised about the decision to split the original Teatre club into two venues.

“We’re talking about an unprecedented tragedy and we will determine responsibility for what happened whatever the cost”

Murcia’s councillor for urban planning Antonio Navarro, said the clubs had been ordered to close in October 2022, and said the council would be taking legal action against the company that owns them.

“We will find out who bears responsibility for what has happened,” Navarro told today’s press conference. “We will be taking action against the Teatre company for failing to comply with the orders to cease [their activities]. We’re talking about an unprecedented tragedy and we will determine responsibility for what happened whatever the cost.”

The victims included Spanish, Colombian, Nicaraguan and Ecuadorian nationals. In addition, 24 people were injured, with four treated in hospital for smoke inhalation, while five others who were unaccounted for and feared dead having now been located.

“La Fonda wishes to express its condolences to the relatives of the fatal victims of the fire… and to convey all our support to the people injured in this tragic incident,” says a social media post from the venue. “We are collaborating with the authorities, in whom we fully trust for the clarification of the facts… until the investigation that determines the real cause of what happened is completed.”

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Ibiza nightclubs will open in April this year – two weeks earlier than normal – as the Spanish island bids to rebound from the pandemic.

José Luis Benítez, manager of venues organisation Ocio de Ibiza, said the White Isle’s major nightspots were actively preparing for the 2022 season. He added it would already be possible to open at 65% capacity for those with Covid passes, with fewer restrictions possible in a few months’ time.

“The idea is that the opening will be at the end of April, two weeks ahead of what is normally done,” Benítez told Diario de Ibiza. “Then, “to hang on until October… November if all goes well.

“Even so, we will proceed with caution and in collaboration with the authorities.”

“This summer, the discotheques will be able to open”

Speaking at the annual international tourism fair Fitur in Madrid, Balearic tourism chief Iago Negueruela was similarly confident.

“This summer, the discotheques will be able to open,” he said. “The covid passport serves as a security tool “.

While tourism revenue staged a partial recovery in 2021 compared to 2020, there will be an added focus on consolidating the domestic market, which spent €405 million last season – €40m more than in 2019.

Super clubs have begun confirming their 2022 opening parties, among them Defected (29 April), Es Paradis (1 May) and Amnesia (21 May). The iconic Space Ibiza, which closed in 2016, is also due to make a comeback in 2022 in a new format as a club night, bar and restaurant in the Posta del Sol Building in San Antonio.

Benítez said he had no concerns over demand, insisting the sector had been flooded with letters asking “whether they are opening this year and when”.

“I am quite optimistic,” added former minister Abel Matutes. “The crucial point is that individuals continue to be vaccinated and customers are keen to travel.”

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France has announced a gradual easing of restrictions on live events, starting from the beginning of February.

In the first rollback, the audience capacity limits for seated events will be lifted from 2 February. Currently, indoor seated events are restricted to 2,000 people and outdoor seated events are restricted to 5,000.

In addition, face masks will no longer be required from 2 February.

From 16 February, standing events will be permitted to take place and nightclubs will be allowed to re-open for the first time since 27 December. Eating and drinking will again be allowed in stadiums, cinemas and public transport.

From 16 February, standing events will be permitted to take place and nightclubs will be allowed to re-open

The easing of restrictions has been justified with the introduction of France’s new vaccine passport on 24 January.

From that date, the current health pass will become a vaccine passport for citizens aged over 16.

This means that only citizens who have received one or two doses (depending on the vaccine) will be permitted to attend leisure activities, restaurants and pubs (except for collective catering), fairs, seminars and trade shows as well as long-distance public transport.

Prime minister Jean Castex said 93% of French adults have received at least one dose, and that the pass could even be suspended if the Covid-19 situation improved dramatically.

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Italy has banned unvaccinated people from attending concerts as countries across Europe step up their efforts to combat the new Omicron variant of coronavirus.

From this week, access to music venues – as well as theatres, cinemas, sporting events, restaurants and bars – in the country will be restricted to those with a so-called Covid Super Green Pass.

The UK government reported that, despite early indications suggesting Omicron was “more transmissible” than the Delta variant, it was not looking at introducing its winter contingency plan. Live events are currently still proceeding at full capacity in the territory.

However, in France, nightclubs will be closed for four weeks from this weekend, prompting an angry response from businesses.

Once again, there’s no clampdown for any other sector

“Once again, there’s no clampdown for any other sector,” Thierry Fontaine of the UMIH Nuit industry association tells France 24. “They cancel New Year’s Eve for us… but they’ll be dancing in all the restaurants.”

From December 15, nightclubs will also close in Poland, where the maximum number of people allowed in other venues will be reduced from 50% capacity to 30%. A venue can only admit fully vaccinated people if it wishes to increase numbers, with staff required to check vaccination certificates.

Elsewhere, in Belgium, indoor events over 4,000-capacity will be banned from this Saturday, whereas concerts and events in Romania will be staged at 50% capacity to a maximum of 1,000 people (all of whom must be vaccinated) with a 10pm curfew.

The moves follow Germany extending its so-called 2G rule to cover the whole country – meaning only those who have been vaccinated or recently recovered from Covid can attend live music venues and other cultural events.

Outdoor events are limited to 50% capacity with a maximum of 15,000 attendees, while indoor gatherings are limited to 50% cap and crowds of 5,000. Masks are mandatory at all events.

The Netherlands has put plans to implement a 2G system on hold until the new year. Elsewhere, in Denmark, Covid passes are now required for indoor gatherings of at least 100 people (previously 200) and outdoor gatherings of 1,000 upwards (previously 2,000).

In addition, Austria entered a new national lockdown last month, and evidence of a negative Covid test – from either a lateral flow test or PCR – has been added to Scotland’s vaccine passport scheme. Previously, attendees were required to show proof of full vaccination.

Meanwhile, the Irish Times reports that about €25 million is to be provided to the Irish live performance sector following the government’s decision to limit indoor events to 50% capacity.

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Participants in a pilot event series held in Berlin over the weekend were asked to provide a negative Covid-19 PCR test, as opposed to the more common lateral-flow/rapid antigen tests becoming an increasingly common entry requirement as festivals and shows restart.

Clubculture Reboot, organised by Clubcommission, an association of Berlin nightclubs, as part of the city-backed Perspektive Kultur: Berliner Pilotprojekt Testing initiative, is the latest pilot scheme intended to demonstrate to German authorities that live events can be held safely “even under pandemic conditions”. Six clubs, the Kitkat-Club, SO36, Festsaal Kreuzberg, Crack Bellmer, Salon zur Wilden Renate and Metropol, and around 2,000 people participated in the pilotprojekt, which began on Friday 6 August.

All clubgoers, regardless of their vaccination status, had to go undergo a PCR test – the ‘swab test’ which is more accurate than a rapid test, but which takes at least 24 hours to return its results – at one of three designated test centres ahead of the weekend events. There were seven positive results out of the 2,200 tests administered, according to the city’s website.

“I’m totally blown away by how people are standing here with umbrellas in the Berlin rain and just want to get in here. It’s like being at a festival”

In addition to the weekend-long series of club nights, the Clubcommission, in partnership with the city of Berlin and the German Red Cross, is organising three ‘Long Nights of Vaccination’ (Lange Nächte des Impfens) at the vaccination centre in Arena Berlin (7,500-cap.) in Treptow. Taking place on 9, 11 and 13 August, the ‘long nights’ run from 8pm to 1am and combine live DJs with free BioNTech/Pfizer vaccinations for younger people.

Speaking to AFP, Sebastian Schwarz from Tiefschwarz, one of the seven acts who played on Monday 9 August, said: “It’s overwhelming, the empathy and the niceness with which people are working together here. I’m totally blown away by how people are standing here with umbrellas in the Berlin rain and just want to get in here. It’s like being at a festival.” According to Berlin’s ministry of health, 420 people were vaccinated on Monday alone.

Germany’s chancellor, Angela Merkel, said earlier this week that the country’s vaccination rate has fallen behind its neighbours and urged state and local governments to promote vaccines and make them easy to obtain.

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Today (19 July) sees Freedom Day in the UK, so-called due to the relaxation of all legal restrictions imposed on live events that had been imposed due to COVID-19. But within hours of rules being relaxed, vaccine minister Nadhim Zahawi has said that full vaccinations will be required for entry into nightclubs and venues with large crowds from September.

As of today, in England, all live events, such as music concerts and sporting events can resume without any limits on attendance or social distancing requirements and attendees are no longer be legally required to wear a face mask.

But against a backdrop of rising levels of infection across the UK, most nightclub operators have chosen not to enforce any level of certification, or ask patrons to provide proof of a recent test or vaccination.  In response today, officials have said that all attendees will have to be double-jabbed, and a negative test will be insufficient.

“There is still no commercial solution and it requires urgent intervention”

The new inbound restrictions come in addition to ongoing concerns about a lack of government-backed cancellation insurance, despite 56% of major summer festivals having already cancelled for a second year running.

“The lifting of restrictions today is bittersweet for the live music sector,” says a spokesperson from LIVE, the industry’s umbrella trade org. “The Government has repeatedly promised it would step in and the UK is now one of just a handful of countries across Europe not to act.”

“The sector has provided every shred of data and evidence Government has requested to support the case for insurance and the Secretary of State has repeatedly and publicly committed to act at Step 4 of the roadmap,” adds Paul Reed, CEO at the Association of Independent Festivals. “There is still no commercial solution and it requires urgent intervention”.

And insurance is not the only obstacle that remains. Earlier this afternoon. Andrew Lloyd Weber’s new production, Cinderella, was postponed indefinitely after cast members were told to self-isolate by the NHS Test and Trace app, having come into contact with a positive case. The show’s cancellation will be worrying news for many festival and event organisers.

“The impossible conditions created by the blunt instrument that is the Government’s isolation guidance, mean that we cannot continue”

“Freedom Day has turned into closure day,” says Lloyd Weber. “The impossible conditions created by the blunt instrument that is the Government’s isolation guidance, mean that we cannot continue. We have been forced into a devastating decision which will affect the lives and livelihoods of hundreds of people and disappoint the thousands who have booked to see the show… My sadness for our cast and crew, our loyal audience and the industry I have been fighting for is impossible to put into words.

Campaign groups from across the sector are calling for a cultural exemption to the isolation requirements through frequent testing, arguing that the 16 August rule change to allow double vaccinated not self-isolated when ‘pinged’ comes too late.

In addition to a Government-backed insurance scheme, associations and companies from across the sector also continue to call for a quarantine exemption, which would allow the arts the same exemption that professional elite sport has obtained. The exemption from sport has enabled football teams from around Europe to travel to the UK to play in the European Championship without quarantining.

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