Luminate 2026 report finds UK music thriving at home and abroad
UK artists continue to attract international listeners, while domestic music consumption and spending are also on the rise, according to new Luminate data.
The UK music industry is facing more competition than ever as artists from emerging markets reach international audiences through streaming. However, new figures from music analytics company Luminate suggest British music is maintaining its global appeal, while listeners at home are becoming increasingly engaged with music.
UK artists maintain a strong global presence
The UK accounted for 4% of global on-demand audio streams in the first half of 2026, down slightly from 4.2% in 2025 and 4.3% in 2024. Luminate attributes this gradual decline to the rapid growth of streaming in other markets, with more artists from emerging and non-English-speaking regions reaching international audiences.
However, UK artists themselves continue to perform strongly overseas. They accounted for 7.8% of global on-demand audio streams in the first half of 2026, a slight increase on the same period last year. This suggests that British music is maintaining its international appeal even as competition for listeners grows.
UK remains the world’s second-largest music export country
Luminate ranked the UK as the world’s second-largest music export country in the first half of 2026, based on the total number of streams UK artists generated outside their home market. The ranking reflects the continued international appeal of British music, even as artists from more countries reach global audiences through streaming.
Artists including Olivia Dean, Lola Young, Central Cee and Charli XCX are helping introduce a new generation of UK music to listeners overseas. Their international success comes alongside continued growth at home, with UK recorded music consumption increasing by 4.9% in 2025, marking the industry’s eleventh consecutive year of growth.
Together, these findings point to a UK music industry with a strong domestic audience and a lasting presence on the global stage.
UK music listeners are spending more time and money
International success isn’t the only encouraging sign. Luminate’s research also points to a particularly engaged domestic audience.
The proportion of UK respondents who consider themselves regular music listeners increased from 76% in 2025 to 79% in 2026. Meanwhile, weekly listening time has risen by around 10% compared with last year.
Luminate also reports that younger generations are leading the way, with Gen Z listening to an average of 15.2 hours of music per week and Millennials following at 14.6 hours.
That enthusiasm is also reflected in spending. UK respondents reported spending an average of £83 per month on music in 2026, according to Luminate.
The research also highlights the importance of independent record shops in maintaining dedicated music communities. Among UK respondents who regularly shop at independent record stores, 34% listen to Indie Rock, compared with 17% of the wider population. They are also more likely to listen to Alternative Rock, Punk, Folk and Singer-Songwriter music.
These findings suggest that the UK’s music audience isn’t just large, but diverse and actively engaged with different genres and scenes.
What can independent artists take from this?
International opportunities and domestic support don’t have to compete. As listeners become more open to music from around the world, cross-border collaborations such as Coldplay and BTS’s My Universe and Bad Bunny and Gorillaz’s Tormenta show how artists can connect different audiences.
For independent musicians, this creates opportunities to reach beyond their local scene. Streaming analytics can reveal where listeners are discovering their music, while collaborations, international playlist pitching and targeted social media promotion can help turn that interest into a wider audience.
Luminate’s findings suggest the UK remains well-positioned internationally, but maintaining that success will mean continuing to support homegrown talent while embracing an increasingly connected global music scene.