One million adults took up an instrument during lockdown, UK Music survey reveals

A survey conducted by UK Music has revealed the role music played in helping the public through lockdowns.

The key findings are:

• Around one million adults say they have taken up an instrument during lockdown

• 71% think music makes them more productive at work/studying

• 57% of adults said music had helped them cope with lockdown

• 74% say music is important to their quality of life - with 39% saying that importance has increased during the past year

The findings also revealed an enthusiasm for the return of live music this year, with:

• 43% of the public declaring an interest in going to a live concert, gig or festival this year

• Among 18-24 year-olds, 38% saying going to a music festival or gig is one of the things they are most looking forward to

• Almost half the public (45%) worried about the financial viability of their local music venues due to the impact of Covid-19

UK Music chief executive Jamie Njoku-Goodwin said: 'These results demonstrate just how important music is to our nation and the critical role it has played over the course of this pandemic.

'Music has been vital not only in helping the public cope with the impact of the Covid-19 lockdowns and improving mental health and wellbeing, but also in making people more productive while they work. 

'Combined with the huge economic contribution the music industry made pre-Covid-19, this is further evidence that the UK music industry is a key national asset that should be protected and supported by government.

'With the right support, music can continue to play a vital role in improving people’s health and wellbeing in the months ahead as we look to recover from this pandemic.'

Njoku-Goodwin also stressed the need for more governmental support when restrictions lift fully on 19 July. 

'While the announcement of an end to restrictions from July 19 was very welcome,' he said, 'there remains one crucial last piece to the puzzle: action on insurance.

'Suggestions that restrictions may be reintroduced later this year creates huge risk for event organisers and the inability to obtain commercial insurance means many live events have already been called off this year. 

'Many more are still at risk of cancellation, so we need the government to introduce an insurance scheme that enables organisers to plan events with confidence into the autumn and beyond. 

'The music industry should play a key role in our country’s economic and cultural recovery, and there is huge appetite from the public for festivals and live events – but without a government-backed insurance scheme there is a very real risk that events will continue to be cancelled.'

Details of the survey results can be found here.