Tribute acts boom as fans choose cheaper shows over pricey concerts

Survey findings

A survey by the Nighttime Industries Association has found that around a fifth of UK adults have attended a tribute act show in the past 12 months. The survey also found that 30% of people plan to go to even more tribute act shows in future. The figures were reported as evidence that demand for impersonators and cover bands is growing while tickets for major artists remain expensive or hard to get.

Price gap

The trend was linked to the cost of living and the price of arena and stadium gigs. Oasis and Taylor Swift were cited as examples of tours with exorbitant ticket prices. One comparison put the choice at about £20 for a tribute show against £200 for the real artist, with potential savings running into hundreds of pounds. The survey was presented alongside examples including Arctic Numpties, Daft Funk, Noasis, Fake That, No Way Sis, Antarctic Monkeys and ACD She.

Performers

Tribute performers described strong demand. Eminem tribute Michael Mathers, who has built a global following, said the work had taken him on tours of Canada, Europe, Holland, Belgium and Slovakia, and described it as the best job in the world. Taylor Swift tribute Xena said she had never been busier and could be on the road up to five days a week. Elvis tribute JD King, a UK and European Grand Champion, said playing the role was a privilege and a responsibility because Elvis Presley died nearly 50 years ago and never performed in the UK while alive.

Venues and industry

Venues and industry figures said the trend was helping a struggling sector. Michael Kill of the Nighttime Industries Association said the cost of daily living had gone through the roof and that tribute and cover bands had become a big part of people's social and cultural economy. He said running a venue is about 40% more expensive than in 2020 and that a broader range of offerings, including tribute acts, can bring in revenue and support grassroots musicians. One venue operator said some tribute shows guaranteed ticket sales and gave the public something they wanted to see.

The coverage also noted that some musicians use cover or tribute work to sustain their careers while developing their own material. Sam Fender was named as the latest artist to speak out against expensive tour tickets. The overall picture is of a growing market for tribute acts, driven by price, availability and the emotional pull of songs that fans may not be able to hear performed by the original artist.