| Falling sales in the music industry has been given a | | | | that although it is more difficult for live bands to |
| boost thanks to live bands playing at music festivals | | | | compete with digital downloads, there is still a market |
| and other events. | | | | out there. |
| According to the latest figures, falling revenue over the | | | | Speaking to the Guardian he said: "The live party is not |
| past five years may be turning around after a string of | | | | over, but it is starting to cool down. |
| summer festivals such as Glastonbury. | | | | "The good news is that the live sector is already |
| Live bands in all music genres including soul bands | | | | innovating in ways that are as impressive as the digital |
| have helped the overall UK sales rise by 4.7% to | | | | sector." |
| £3.9bn. | | | | With the prospect of more cuts in the Government's |
| And according to figures released by the Adding Up | | | | Department of Culture, Media and Sport over the next |
| the UK Music Industry for 2009 report, revenue at | | | | year, Mr Page is quick to say that the music industry |
| festivals such as Leeds, Reading and of course | | | | will have a major part to play in the recovery due to its |
| Glastonbury have continued to rise year-on-year and | | | | appeal in drawing in tourists from abroad. |
| is up 9.4% to £1.54bn. | | | | This opinion is also shared by Feargal Sharkey, chief |
| Although these figures are encouraging, there is also | | | | executive for UK Music who has pledged to fight any |
| evidence to suggest that smaller music venues such | | | | potential cuts in the sector. |
| as bars and clubs continue to struggle, with up to 49 | | | | Also speaking to the Guardian, he said: "We will do |
| pubs closing every week according to the Publican | | | | everything we can to ensure that these cuts have the |
| newspaper. | | | | minimum impact on the beautiful thing that is music. |
| Will Page, chief economist at PRS for Music admits | | | | |