Record-breaking summer to show once again why London is the undisputed music capital of the world

• London is set for a record-breaking summer with the capital the only place in the country to see some of the world’s biggest music stars

• Harry Styles performs a record 12-date run at Wembley Stadium as part of the stadium’s busiest ever summer, The O2 is set for its busiest August ever with Ariana Grande performing her only gigs outside of North America this year, and Tottenham Stadium welcomes Bad Bunny, the first Latin American artist to headline a major UK stadium
• London’s incredible range of gigs attracts 7.5m visitors each year, bringing in £2.7bn in revenue to the capital

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has today celebrated the capital’s position as the global leader for music as London gears-up for a record-breaking summer.

Many millions of fans are set to unite in stadiums and parks across the capital as London is the only place in the country to see some of the world’s biggest music artists.

The world-leading line-up will provide a huge boost to the capital’s economy, with London’s music scene attracting 7.5m visitors each year and bringing in £2.7bn in revenue to the capital. Last week, it was predicted that Harry Styles’ record run at Wembley Stadium will inject £1.1 billion into the economy alone.

The summer of exclusive UK performances includes:

• Harry Styles performing a record 12-date run at Wembley Stadium. The stadium will welcome around 3m fans for its biggest ever summer of music with 33 concerts featuring a range of international stars, including six performances from Bruno Mars.
• The O2 is set for its busiest August ever with 16 sell-out shows, including Ariana Grande performing her only gigs outside of North America this year with 10 performances across the summer.
• Tottenham Stadium welcoming last year’s most streamed artist in the world Bad Bunny for two performances as he becomes the first Latin American artist to headline a major UK stadium. More than 500,000 music fans will enjoy the stadium’s summer gigs, including K-pop stars BTS for two gigs.
• Country star Garth Brooks performing his first UK show in nearly 30 years at BST Hyde Park, with Ateez, Maroon 5 and Duran Duran also on the bill.
• Lenny Kravitz performing at Crystal Palace Bowl.

Some other stand-out moments in the capital’s summer of music include:

• The opening of British Airways ARC in Olympia next month. The 3,800-capacity state-of-the-art, purpose-built live music and events venue will open with Self Esteem and feature a five-night residency from Van Morrison.
• London Stadium welcoming more than 350,000 fans for Take That and Metallica. The stadium’s state-of-the-art solar panels, supported by the Mayor’s Green Finance Fund, will provide all the power required to deliver the whole summer programme of events.
• The O2 welcoming Olivia Dean for six performances this year, and Lily Allen for three.
• Parks and venues across the capital opening up a huge range of outdoor spaces for festivals, including at Alexandra Palace, Victoria Park, Brockwell Park and Crystal Palace.
• Almost 200 grassroots music venues across London providing a chance to catch a glimpse of the next upcoming stars.
• Live Nation will be welcoming 3.1m fans across nearly 300 shows this summer, with 44 per cent of shows taking place in club and grassroots venues.

The incredible summer of music shows why London was named the best city in the world for culture by Time Out last month.

The Mayor is proud to champion the capital’s music scene and all aspects of the hospitality industry. This summer he is introducing the new Weekend Hopper fare which means, for the first time ever, anyone travelling on buses and trams at the weekend on a Saturday or a Sunday between 25 July and 31 August will only pay one single fare for unlimited journeys across London that day – making it easier for Londoners and visitors to make the most of everything the capital has to offer during the summer holidays.

Earlier this year, Sadiq declared that he wants it to be the biggest ever summer for al fresco dining in the capital’s history, as he announced the return of his ‘Summer Streets’ fund to increase al fresco dining and extend opening hours. He has also consulted on bold new proposals to strengthen licensing practices across the capital, after the Government announced it would provide strategic licensing powers to the Mayor. Last year, the Mayor created the first ever special Grassroots Music Tube Map, which celebrated all aspects of the capital’s music scene and connected Londoners and visitors with grassroots gigs.

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “Music fans can look forward to a record-breaking summer as our incredible stadiums, parks and grassroots venues bring millions together to enjoy the very best performances. From Harry Styles’ record run at Wembley Stadium, to Bad Bunny becoming the first Latin American artist to headline a major UK stadium, and Ariana Grande giving her only performances outside North America in the O2, we’ll be welcoming some of the world’s biggest artists to our stages. It shows why London is the undisputed capital of music and will provide a huge boost to our economy, as we build a better London for everyone.”

Kate Nicholls, Chair of UKHospitality, said: "London is once again proving itself to be one of the world's music capitals, with a fantastic, record-breaking summer of music ahead. The impact of big tours across London is enormous for hospitality businesses. Gig-goers fill pubs, bars and restaurants both before and after shows, driving incredible footfall and much-needed sales for venues across the city."

Denis Desmond, Chairman, Live Nation UK & Ireland, said: “London is one of the greatest live music cities in the world, with headliners coming to the capital from nearly every continent this year. From emerging talent in intimate rooms to historic headline moments in parks, arenas and stadiums, that mix is what keeps the UK at the centre of live music.”

Alex Hill, President & CEO, AEG International, said: "London’s status as a global live music capital is stronger than ever, and this August is set to be The O2’s busiest on record. Fuelled by Ariana Grande’s 10-night European exclusive residency, this summer season showcases an incredible breadth of world-class talent, alongside a notable surge in female artists including Lily Allen and Summer Walker, to residencies from Londoners Raye and Olivia Dean. These large-scale residencies and standout performances not only reflect the strength and diversity of today’s music landscape but also reinforce London’s ability to attract global audiences and deliver cultural moments at scale."

Alex Mahon, Chief Executive of Superstruct Entertainment, the London-based live entertainment group behind events including Field Day, Mighty Hoopla and Cross The Tracks, said: “Walk through any London festival this summer and you see what makes this city extraordinary. A generation that refuses to stay home, dressed up, switched on, and choosing to be in the room rather than behind a screen. London gives young people the choice no other capital can match: every genre, every weekend, every postcode. When a city belongs to its young, they pour their creativity and their nights back into it. That is what keeps London the most exciting place on earth to be young right now.”

Tom Kiehl, UK Music Chief Executive, said: “London is the most exciting city in the world when it comes to the fantastic diversity of the capital’s vibrant music scene.  Millions of visitors from home and abroad came last year to see acts ranging from stadium-fillers like Oasis and Beyoncé to the best new performers at our grassroots venues. We’re looking forward to another brilliant summer of festivals, concerts and events when music fans will give the city’s economy a huge boost by spending at the events as well as hotels, bars, restaurants and other businesses. The multi-cultural beat of London’s amazing music scene with its iconic venues, global stars and emerging new talent makes the city a fantastic place to live, work and visit."

Justine Simons OBE, Deputy Mayor for Culture and the Creative Industries, said: “Music has an incredible power to bring people together and there is simply nowhere better to enjoy it that in London. From record-breaking international artists headlining our stadiums and parks, to up-and-coming acts honing their craft in grassroots music venues, there is something to appeal to every taste this summer.”