Whether it’s in a room above a pub, a basement club or a massive muddy field, there’s nothing quite like live music. We live in a world where streaming services dominate how people discover artists – able to listen to back catalogues at the touch of a button – but no algorithm gives you goose bumps like a gig where rhythm pulses through the body and the crowd moves as one. And it’s a message that’s starting to resonate with music lovers – Mastercard research from 2025 showed that 70% of Brits were planning to spend more on live music.
From stadiums to grassroots spaces, live music venues offer connection and community which can’t be replicated online. They are where the magic happens, where memories are made, and where emerging talent shines. Ahead of The BRIT Awards’ arrival in Manchester on 28 February, the city’s rich musical heritage and vibrant contemporary scene are in the limelight, with Mastercard helping to shape the future of UK music through its sponsorship of The BRIT Awards.
