Max HeyraudNorthern Ireland’s grassroots music venues generated £11.85 million for the local economy in 2025, but only half of them turned a profit, according to new figures from Music Venue Trust (MVT).
The Annual Report 2025, which was given at Stormont on April 14th, paints a grim picture for a sector that has long been seen as the backbone of the region’s music output, which has had an impact on the world. The number of people working in the industry fell sharply, by 21% year-on-year, from 667 in 2024 to 525 in 2025. The cost of putting on live music was £1.63 million more than the revenue.
The report marks the first time in MVT’s eleven-year history that Northern Ireland has been given a dedicated focus, following a year of targeted development work supported by Belfast City Council. It highlights a network of just 17 active grassroots music venues (GMVs), which collectively hosted 3,705 events and 22,464 artist performances, drawing over 460,000 audience visits across the year.
Rising operational costs and the structural challenges of live music programming continue to erode margins, leaving venues increasingly reliant on external support.
Speaking at the reception, Neil Hannon of The Divine Comedy underscored their importance: “Northern Ireland’s contribution to popular music has been vastly disproportionate to its tiny population. It was only by performing in small music venues around the province that I, and many others, became any good at all.”
The figures underline an urgent need for sustained intervention if they are to survive and continue to nurture the artists that define the region’s musical identity.
