Live Music

Baroness Hyde of Bemerton Excerpts

Thursday 2nd July 2026 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Hyde of Bemerton (Lab)]

My Lords, I am delighted to take part in this debate in the midst of King Harry’s record-breaking run at Wembley, while the other King Harry is busy cementing his place in football history. I thought I might sing a few minutes of “Bohemian Rhapsody” to illustrate the breadth and power of live music, but I remembered I was not Freddie Mercury, nor was this Wembley Arena. Oh well, “Another One Bites the Dust”.

I am sure noble Lords from all sides of your Lordships’ House have encountered “A Kind of Magic” when attending a live musical performance. It is good for the soul, good for local economies, and good to connect with others having a shared experience. Advances in technology mean researchers now understand more of how these communal live experiences shape us, whether that is a live music audience experiencing cardiorespiratory synchronising and interbrain coherence, or the shared embodied experiences of music between those playing and those listening—with thanks to Gabriel et al 2025.

But “Don’t Stop Me Now”. On this small, wildly creative island, “We Are the Champions”, or close to, being one of only three net exporters of music globally—the second-largest after the United States. Music tourism revenue reached £10 billion in 2024, supporting around 72,000 full-time equivalent jobs. Visit the UK and “We Will Rock You”.

While the UK sent this message to the EU, “I Want to Break Free”, live music in the UK has clearly been put “Under Pressure” by our exit from the EU, with 82% of musicians saying that their earnings have decreased because of Brexit, as other noble Lords have mentioned. I implore my noble friend the Minister: “The Show Must Go On”, because live music changes lives, brings all kinds of people closer together and is essential in enabling each part of the UK to thrive culturally and economically.