By Sophie Scannell, Music Editor

From figures calculated in October 2025, an exponential increase in music tourism across the UK prompted experts at Fanatix, a leading event ticketing platform, to conduct research to see whereabouts these music lovers are reigning.

A score for each city out of ten is calculated by considering Google Ads to gather average monthly search volumes for terms like ‘concerts’, ‘gigs near me’, ‘live music’, ‘music festivals’, and so on.

Ranking of the most ‘concert-obsessed’ cities in the UK | Fanatix

All data was then normalised and calculated per 100,000 to be proportionate to the city’s population, eventually landing each city with a score out of ten that encompasses its concentration of venues, how often shows are put on, and how many people are eager to go.

So, how did we fare? Bristol ranked an impressive fourth place with a score of 8.74, not far behind first-placers, Leeds, with a score of 8.82, and slotting in just above the country’s capital, London.

These hugely impressive stats put Bristol in and amongst other titan cities in the UK, and leading for concerts per capita, with a whopping 109. Bristol monthly searches for music events are 850 (118 per 100k), making ‘Bristol a hub for both mainstream and alternative live music’.

Society Spotlight | JFS

By Annabel Bienfait, Community Editor This month, we got in touch with Bristol’s Jazz Funk Soul (JFS) Society. JFS have established themselves as the go-to for top quality jazz gigs and workshops for students in Bristol. They showcase incredible student talent at their weekly jam nights, while drawing big

A spokesperson from Fanatix has concluded that ‘these concert-obsessed cities are key influencers of the thriving live music scene both now and in the future’. The passion for live music is now not just London-centric, and it is time other areas of the UK were given its flowers for their undeniable contribution to the country’s live music scene.

It’s apparent that concert culture is on the rise, and, thankfully, showing no signs of slowing down. What’s more is that, from these stats, we seem to be in one of the best spots for it. However many years you have left at University here, use them wisely and go and see some stellar live music in the city that does it best!

Featured image: Melinda Nagy

What is the best gig you’ve been to in Bristol?