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The Journal
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Journal
What's your favourite way to listen to music?
NEW RESEARCH FROM the Irish Music Rights Organisation (IMRO) has revealed that nearly two thirds of the Irish public listen to music daily, with the average adult spending 84 minutes listening each day. The report also shows that Irish consumers spent a €375m on music subscription services like Spotify and Apple Music. Advertisement While many still rely on radio and physical formats like CDs and vinyl, IMRO notes that digital platforms are becoming the main way people discover new music. So tell us: What's your favourite way to listen to music? Poll Results: Streaming (308) Radio (109) Vinyl records (94) CDs (65) Other (let us know in the comments) (33) I don't listen to music (8) Cassettes (3) Streaming Radio CDs Vinyl records Cassettes Other (let us know in the comments) I don't listen to music Vote
Irish Independent
09-07-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
Revealed: How much we spend on concerts each year and the time we dedicate each day to listening to music
Almost half find accommodation costs prohibitive, while travel difficulties, accessibility, and obligations like childcare also present issues, new research from the Irish Music Rights Organisation (IMRO) has found. The average adult spends almost €1,000 a year on music-related products and services. The annual spend on tickets for gigs amounts to €757, while Irish adults also spend around €172 on average for music streaming each year. Most people listen to 84 minutes of music each day, while 43pc of the population listens to just 26 minutes. Almost 30pc of people listen to more than two hours of music each day, with those 'high listeners' spending an average of €219 on music streaming services each year. Over half of the population subscribes to services such as Spotify, YouTube Music, or Amazon Music to amount to an annual spend of €375m, with Spotify holding the largest market share. Artists have raised concerns about the 'uneven distribution of revenue in streaming – where artists and songwriters receive a disproportionately low share' and the organisation has called on the Government to 'better nurture' the industry. The 2025 IMRO Ireland Music Report found just 43pc of those working in the music sector hold full-time positions, with 68pc of members supplementing their income through jobs outside the industry. The report notes that while the music industry generates €1bn annually, many Irish artists struggle to make a living as their annual income is almost 40pc lower than the national average. While the average annual income for all sectors is €46,567, those working in the arts, entertainment, and other service activities earn an average of €28,123. Half of IMRO members saw no change in their income over the last year and 29pc experienced a decline, with 45pc feeling financial pressure. One sector leader, who is quoted in the report, said: 'If you compare it to the independent Irish film industry, that has seen a really good growth trajectory... there's been a lot of investment in Screen Ireland. But the music industry is definitely struggling.' The report, which was compiled by Core Research, calls on the Government to implement a number of measures to better support the industry. It calls for the Basic Income for the Arts scheme to be put on 'permanent footing', the application of financial strategies that would strengthen the sector and the implementation AI legislation and regulations. Labour TD Alan Kelly, the chair of the Joint Committee on Arts, Media, Communications, Culture and Sport, said the report demonstrates 'Irish people's passion for music' but 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.'
Irish Daily Mirror
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Daily Mirror
Average Irish adult spends almost €1000 a year on music events and products
The average adult in Ireland is spending almost €1000 a year on music related products and services, according to a new report. Music is a massive contributor to the national economy, generating €1 billion annually and employing over 13,400 people, the 2025 Irish Right's Music Organisation's Music Report found. Streaming services like Spotify, YouTube Music and Amazon Music are how the majority of people are listening to their favourite artists. Over half (54%) of Irish adults are subscribed to a streaming service, which costs around €10 a month. Last year, the Irish public spent €375 million on music streaming services. However, live events dominate consumer expenditure, generating €786 million annually. On average, Irish adults spent €757 on music events last year, with concerts in high-capacity venues such as Croke Park or the Aviva Stadium accounting for the largest share at €298. This was closely followed by music festivals, which drew an average spend of €194. Many high-profile artists that toured Ireland contributed to the spend, including Taylor Swift and Coldplay, as tickets for these gigs cost anywhere from €100-€200. The most-anticipated show of 2025 is Oasis' reunion tour, as the Gallagher brothers will take to Dublin's Croke Park on August 16 and 17. When tickets went on-sale for the tour last year fans were left furious when dynamic pricing led to standing tickets rising from €176 to more than €400. And music fans are feeling the pinch of rising ticket prices. Two thirds (66%) of adults surveyed for the IMRO report said cost is their main barrier to attending gigs. Almost half (49%) also highlighted accommodation costs as an issue to going to music events, as the majority take place in Dublin. While Spotify holds the largest share amongst streaming platforms, radio still remains a key source of discovery for music fans. Some 49% said they listen to the radio to enjoy new tracks, while 26% said they still jam out to CDs. IMRO Chairperson and songwriter Eleanor McEvoy said the report shows that Irish people don't just enjoy music 'they live it'. She said: 'From packed festival fields to quiet moments with a favourite playlist, music is embedded in our daily lives. "This heartfelt connection is at the core of our vibrant music culture, but people working in the sector need more than passion to thrive. I'm proud to represent a community of creators who continue to innovate and inspire, despite the financial pressures they face.' According to the report, an estimated 13,400 individuals work directly in the music sector. However, only 43% of these work in the industry full-time as employment tends to fluctuate, with the majority of live events taking place in the summer. Some 68% of IMRO members said they rely on additional sectors to sustain their careers, such as teaching, information and communication and administration. Those working in the music industry are also extremely concerned that AI could affect their jobs, as it's poised to affect everything from music creation and production to distribution and consumption. Alan Kelly TD, Cathaoirleach of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Arts and Media, said these findings show the music sector is 'not only a key driver of our creative economy, but a fundamental part of our national identity'. He added: '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.'
The Journal
08-07-2025
- Business
- The Journal
Ireland should imitate South Korea's K-pop success with music industry supports, IMRO says
IRELAND SHOULD TAKE inspiration from South Korea and develop structures to support the music industry similar to those that have led to K-pop's worldwide popularity, the Irish Music Rights Organisation has recommended. IMRO published a report on wide-ranging research into the Irish music industry today that shows the sector contributes €1 billion to the economy every year. Despite this, it also found that artists are struggling to work in the industry full-time, face financial precarity if they do, and often supplement their incomes by working in other sectors. The Irish music industry employs an estimated 13,400 people directly, but only 43% of those work in the sector full-time. The majority work part-time or supplement their income with other work, the research found. 'In fact, around 68% of IMRO members rely on additional sectors to sustain their careers, reflecting the widespread dependency on external income sources,' the report said. Employment within the music industry also tends to fluctuate with seasonal opportunities, especially during the summer months when most music festivals take place, IMRO said. People commonly find other sources of income in teaching, information and communication, and administration. IMRO said that other sectors provide financial stability, 'often offering higher-than-average wages compared to the music industry'. Among the recommendations that accompanied the research results was that the government support and promote musicians the way it has done with the Irish film industry, which has produced significant results in the form of international awards and production activity in Ireland. This could be done, IMRO suggested, by amending the Section 481 tax credit available to people in the film industry to include those who work in the music sector. That would 'introduce specific tax incentives for using Irish music within audiovisual productions,' IMRO said. Advertisement Another suggestion in the same vein is to establish a system like that found in South Korea. IMRO said that while Ireland is successful in cultivating grassroots and independent talent, it is 'seen to lack the level of state intervention and global marketing machinery seen in the likes of South Korea, where K-pop's global success is underpinned by systematic training programmes, high-budget productions, and strategic marketing'. Another significant and related challenge faced by musicians is the enormous disparity in the distribution of revenue garnered by streaming services like Spotify. IMRO noted that while digital platforms have helped artists when it comes to access and visibility, 'they have exacerbated income disparities, leaving many creators under-compensated'. 'Policies, grants, and innovative revenue models are needed to create a sustainable ecosystem that supports artists at all levels,' IMRO said. The report also recommended making the Basic Income for the Arts scheme, which has been piloted in parts of the country, a permanent fixture. It also recommended 'increasing access to project-based funding, and fostering opportunities for income generation through touring support, international showcasing, and professional development initiatives'. Another issue facing people in the industry is the development of generative AI models that can create music. Those models threaten musicians in two main ways – competition and plagiarism. Fair AI legislation and regulations to protect the music industry are what is needed, IMRO said. This should be done 'by fully implementing the EU AI Act to ensure platforms conform to their transparency obligations and that a regulated market is maintained for the licensing of existing copyright works', it recommended. Labour TD Alan Kelly, who serves as Cathaoirleach of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Arts, Media, Communications, Culture and Sport, said that while the research shows the benefits the music industry brings to the economy, it '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.' Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
The Journal
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Journal
Irish people love live music but we're not fans of the high cost of tickets, research shows
PEOPLE IN IRELAND love live music, but two thirds say the high cost of tickets is a barrier to them attending concerts, according to research commissioned by the Irish Music Rights Organisation. IMRO published a report on research into the state of the Irish music industry today that showed that the average adult in Ireland spends almost €1,000 per year on music related products and services, and that the industry as a whole contributes €1 billion to the economy annually. Live events are the most popular way people spend money on music, generating €786 million annually, IMRO's report said. On average, Irish adults spent €757 on music events last year. Big venue concerts accounted for the largest share, with people spending €298 on tickets. This was closely followed by music festivals, which drew an average spend of €194. Advertisement While people spend plenty of money on music events, the IMRO report said that 'many members of the public are feeling the pinch'. Two thirds (66%) of adults flagged the cost of tickets as the main barrier to attending gigs. Almost half (49%) also cited high accommodation costs as an issue when considering going to music events. Hotels have angered the public and been called out by politicians for hiking room prices around the times of high-profile performances. The upcoming Oasis reunion tour has been no exception and was highlighted by Tánaiste Simon Harris last year. 'I would encourage everybody to engage fairly in relation to this. The issues around price gouging, around hiking up things at the time of major events, doesn't actually help anyone but ends up giving our city bad reputation,' he said. Coldplay fans felt the sting of high accommodation prices when the band played in Croke Park last year. Ticketmaster, which dominates the market for concert ticket sales, has also come in for criticism from music fans for its use of 'dynamic pricing', which increases the cost of tickets based on demand. The cost of tickets for the upcoming Oasis tour caused enough outrage among the public that a bill is now in the works that would make dynamic pricing illegal. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
