logo
Irish music industry contributes €1bn to national economy

Irish music industry contributes €1bn to national economy

Irish Examiner08-07-2025
Ireland's music industry has been highlighted as a significant contributor to the national economy, generating €1bn annually across live events and streaming services.
In the Irish Music Rights Organisation (IMRO) 2025 music report, CORE Research found that the industry employs more than 13,400 people nationwide, with the average adult spending almost €1,000 per year on music-related products and services.
Live events were found to dominate consumer expenditure, generating €786m annually, with the Irish public spending €375m on streaming services in 2024.
On average, Irish adults spent €757 on music events last year, with concerts in high-capacity venues accounting for the largest share at €298. This was closely followed by music festivals, which drew an average spend of €194.
The research revealed that dedicated music fans attended more live events than the general public, which the report said showcased their deeper engagement with live music.
Rising costs
Despite significant spending on music events, many consumers are feeling the pinch, the report warned, with two-thirds of adults flagging the cost of tickets as the main barrier to attending gigs. In addition, almost half also highlighted accommodation costs as an issue to going to music events.
The report also highlighted how engrained music is in the lives of Irish people, with almost two-thirds of people listening to music on a daily basis. The average adult listens to 84 minutes of music daily, though younger adults (18–34) engage more, averaging 92 minutes.
Streaming platforms remain the dominant mode of music access, with over half of the population subscribing to services such as Spotify, YouTube Music, and Amazon Music.
Spotify holds the largest share of the market, reflecting its strong appeal among users seeking an extensive music library and personalised experiences, the report said. Despite significant spending by Irish consumers on digital platforms, concerns have been raised by numerous musicians about how much of the €375m reaches their pockets.
Job uncertainty
An estimated 13,400 individuals work directly in the music sector, but employment within the music industry tends to fluctuate with seasonal opportunities, especially during the summer months, the report warned.
However, only 43% of those working in the music sector hold full-time positions, with the majority either working part-time or supplementing their income through jobs outside of the industry.
In fact, around 68% of IMRO members rely on additional sectors to sustain their careers, reflecting the widespread dependency on external income sources.
Despite the significant levels of interest and spending on music in Ireland, the dream of becoming a professional musician remains out of reach for many.
The uneven distribution of revenue in streaming, where artists and songwriters receive a disproportionately low share, further complicates the landscape, with many artists struggling to earn sustainable incomes despite widespread distribution.
To better protect the industry, IMRO is calling on the Government to enact several measures such as advocating for fair AI legislation, applying financial strategies for the film industry and replicating them in the music sector, and supporting Ireland's grassroots music venues.
"Generating over €1bn annually and supporting more than 13,400 jobs, the music sector is not only a key driver of our creative economy, but a fundamental part of our national identity," said Cathaoirleach of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Arts, Media, Communications, Culture and Sport.
"Irish people's passion for music - reflected in the remarkable levels of spending on live events and streaming - demonstrates the deep, enduring bond between our citizens and the artists who inspire them.
'But this report also serves as a timely reminder that passion alone cannot sustain a career in music. Too many of our artists and songwriters are grappling with financial insecurity, exacerbated by the unfair distribution of streaming revenues and the growing challenges posed by AI.
"Government must take these findings seriously. From making the Basic Income for the Arts permanent to ensuring fair AI regulation, we have a clear responsibility to support the people behind Ireland's musical success story.'
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Fair City's Lidl store removed from Google Maps after customer confusion
Fair City's Lidl store removed from Google Maps after customer confusion

Extra.ie​

timean hour ago

  • Extra.ie​

Fair City's Lidl store removed from Google Maps after customer confusion

A Lidl store in Dublin has been removed from Google Maps following after confusion surrounding its validity was revealed earlier in the week. On Monday, RTÉ's Economics & Public Affairs Editor David Murphy revealed that the Lidl on the set of Fair City had caused a stir from one woman looking to do her weekly shop. The confusion came from a realistic-looking Lidl store which now features in the fictional town of Carrigstown and is built on RTÉ's Donnybrook campus. A Lidl store in Dublin has been removed from Google Maps following after confusion surrounding its validity was revealed earlier in the week. Pic: RTÉ The store is not open to the public, and is off the back of a three-year product placement deal signed earlier in the year between the supermarket chain and RTÉ. RTÉ Commercial Director Gavin Deans previously confirmed the deal was the largest broadcast product placement agreement in Irish television history. The collaboration between RTÉ and Lidl includes realistic store features like a Deposit Return Machine, in-store backery, and even a modern staff welfare area. Construction of the fake shop began in Mark, and will see fictional store manager Renee introduced as part of a some upcoming plotlines within the show. Pic: RTE While the faux supermarket looks exactly like any other Lidl store, and even appeared on Google Maps, it is not operational with one woman sent on her way earlier in the week. David shared: 'Met a lady outside RTÉ trying to get in to do her shopping i the Lidl on the Fair City set this evening. It's listed on Google Maps. 'I gave her directions to Tesco.' As of Wednesday, the faux Lidl, which was on the app under Lidl Fait City, has been removed from Google Maps. Construction of the fake shop began in Mark, and will see fictional store manager Renee introduced as part of a some upcoming plotlines within the show. Characters in Fair City will interact with the store as part of their daily lives in Carrigstown – and, evidently, some viewers are already mistaking it for a place to pick up their weekly shop. have reached out to Google Ireland.

BBC denies cutting Irish language part of CMAT single in first radio play
BBC denies cutting Irish language part of CMAT single in first radio play

Irish Daily Mirror

time2 hours ago

  • Irish Daily Mirror

BBC denies cutting Irish language part of CMAT single in first radio play

The BBC has denied editing out Irish language that features as part of pop singer CMAT's new single. The Meath musician, whose name is Ciara Mary-Alice Thompson, said she did not know who made the decision to edit out the start of her new track Euro-Country. She posted to social media to say that there was another "crazy edit" removing a reference in the song to suicides in the aftermath of the 2008 financial crash. "I just want to say really quickly that it was not my decision to have the Irish language edited out of the first ever play of Euro Country on radio," she said on Instagram on Tuesday. "It was not my decision and I don't know if it was a mistake or what happened but that was not my decision. "However, they have just got in contact and said that they are going to play the Irish language intro, full-version of Euro-Country tomorrow (Wednesday) to make up for it. "I don't know who edited it out, that was crazy of them." CMAT performs during day three of Glastonbury festival 2025 at Worthy Farm, Pilton on June 27, 2025 (Image: Joseph Okpako/WireImage) The Irish lyrics at the start of the song refer to "an empty head" and "a new personality" after someone has "gone from my life". The last Irish lyric asks "will I be beautiful bald". The lyrics are: "Cad is ga dom a dheanamh mura bhfuil me ag bualadh leat? "Ta ceann folamh agam, agus pearsantach nua. Eirim nios dofheicthe, is tu imithe o mo shoal. "Nil aon rud fagtha sa scathain, An mbeidh me alainn mhaol? Yeah." In a statement, the BBC said the version of the song supplied by the record label was played, and the full version would be played on Radio 1 three times on Wednesday. "BBC Radio 1 did not edit the Irish language from this single, we broadcast the radio edit of CMAT's new song Euro Country that was supplied by the record label," it said. Ciara Mary-Alice Thompson, aka CMAT (Image: Andrew Benge/Redferns) "BBC Radio 1 has already played the full version that includes the Irish language intro today on Rickie Melvin and Charlie, and it will be played again on Going Home, and Radio 1's New Music Show with Jack Saunders." The 29-year-old pop singer, who blends pop and rock with folk and country influences, has won plaudits for her performance at Glastonbury, and is due to perform at the All Together Now festival in August and at the 3Arena in December. Her third studio album is set for release on August 29. Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news from the Irish Mirror direct to your inbox: Sign up here.

Everything you need to know about Billie Eilish's Dublin shows
Everything you need to know about Billie Eilish's Dublin shows

Extra.ie​

time3 hours ago

  • Extra.ie​

Everything you need to know about Billie Eilish's Dublin shows

Fans are getting ready to check out Billie Eilish live on stage as she touches down in Dublin for the next leg of her latest tour. The two-time Oscar winner is bringing her Hit Me Hard and Soft tour to the 3 Arena on July 26 and 27, having wowed Irish audiences back in 2022 with her Happier Than Ever tour. For those heading to the event, here's an overview of some of the things you need to know ahead of the show. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Syd (@syd) Billie's support act for her tour is Syd — an American alternative R&B singer who rose to fame as a member of the Odd Future and went on to co-found the band The Internet in 2011. Syd (whose real name is Sydney Loren Bennett) released her debut solo album Fin in 2017, and followed that up with Broken Hearts Club, in 2022. Billie Eilish. Pic: Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic Doors are expected to open at 5.30pm and Eilish's support act is expected to take to the stage around 7:00pm. Billie Eilish will begin her set around 8:30pm and is said to last one hour and 40 minutes. This means the the concert should end close to 10:15pm. Billie Eilish Pic:for Live Nation As it stands, we haven't received confirmation over what food will be available in the venue, but judging by some of Billie's other shows on the tour, there is a high possibility it will be vegan food only being served. Fans were surprised to learn that London's O2 Arena had a fully vegan menu for sale to concert-goers, which included a peri-peri halloumi wrap, chipotle tacos, pancakes and pizza. The What Was I Made For singer was raised vegetarian and switched to veganism aged 12, way before it became one of the go-to lifestyles. Billie Eilish Pic: Getty Images According to Ticketmaster, this was the setlist for the show in Manchester on July 22, 2025: CHIHIRO LUNCH NDA (shortened) Therefore I Am WILDFLOWER when the party's over (live recorded looped vocals) THE DINER ilomilo bad guy 1THE GREATEST Your Power (Acoustic) SKINNY TV bury a friend – BITTERSUITE Oxytocin Guess (Charli xcx cover) (remix version) everything i wanted lovely (Billie Eilish & Khalid cover) idontwannabeyouanymore ocean eyes – BLUE L'AMOUR DE MA VIE (With OVER NOW extended version) What Was I Made For? Happier Than Ever BIRDS OF A FEATHER – BLUE ('Born Blue' outro) The 3Arena in Dublin Pic: Getty Images There are a number of public transport options for getting to the 3Arena: By Bus : The 151 bus stops right outside the venue and departs from Dublin City Centre on Eden Quay. Alternatively, the G1, G2 and N4 bus routes all stop within a 10-minute walk of the 3Arena. As some roads may be blocked off after the show, be sure to check where to go after the show. : The 151 bus stops right outside the venue and departs from Dublin City Centre on Eden Quay. Alternatively, the G1, G2 and N4 bus routes all stop within a 10-minute walk of the 3Arena. As some roads may be blocked off after the show, be sure to check where to go after the show. By Luas : The red line Luas has a terminus at The Point Village right by the 3Arena, and usually there are additional trams running on the nights of concerts. : The red line Luas has a terminus at The Point Village right by the 3Arena, and usually there are additional trams running on the nights of concerts. By Dart : The easiest way to travel to the venue by Dart is to get off at Connolly Station and walk to either the BusAras or George's Dock Luas stops and get the tram the rest of the way. : The easiest way to travel to the venue by Dart is to get off at Connolly Station and walk to either the BusAras or George's Dock Luas stops and get the tram the rest of the way. By Car: While there are car parks at the Point Village, there will be a lot of traffic in the area after the show, with some roads even being closed off while the concert-goers vacate the arena. Spaces are also limited so parking in another car park in town and getting public transport down to the venue might be a better option. Billie Eilish Pic:for iHeartRadio Under 16's must be accompanied by an adult (aka a person over the age of 18) and those with standing tickets should note that the area is for those aged 14+ only. They may ask for ID to show proof of age, so have some form of official identification with you. Bags that are larger than an A4 size will not be permitted and all bags will be searched upon arrival. Prohibited items include cans, alcohol, glass, garden furniture (for eg fold-up chairs), umbrellas, flares, illegal substances or items that could be used as a weapon. While recording videos and taking photos with your phone are permitted, professional recording equipment is not allowed inside the venue.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store