🎶 Cardiff’s Summer of Music 🎶
This summer, Cardiff was buzzing with excitement as a series of blockbuster concerts brought some serious star power to the city! Big names like Oasis, the Pet Shop Boys, and Alanis Morissette took to the stage, bringing fans from near and far to experience live music magic across iconic venues like the Principality Stadium, Cardiff Castle, and Blackweir Fields.
The result? A massive 15.6% boost in city centre sales for July compared to last year! Retail figures hit a whopping £44.1m, with entertainment sales alone surging by an incredible 231.2%. The food and drink scene thrived too, with sales up by 20.1%, contributing to a vibrant atmosphere across the city.
A whopping 33.4% of this spending was by local Cardiff residents, while music lovers from the rest of South Wales and beyond also added to the buzz. Non-Welsh UK visitors contributed £9.7m, with a significant 67% jump in spending!
Local businesses are singing the praises of this musical summer. Carolyn Brownell from FOR Cardiff hailed it as “transformative,” noting how major shows drive demand across hotels, taxis, and local eateries. Becca Thomas from Bacareto in the city centre shared similar enthusiasm, pointing out the positive impact on her bar and restaurant during this challenging time for hospitality.
Hotels have also basked in the glow of music fans’ enthusiasm. Karen Matthews from Radisson Blu Cardiff highlighted the trend of longer stays as guests flock to the city for extended weekend getaways and epic gigs.
Nick Saunders of Depot Live, organiser of events at Cardiff Castle and Blackweir, was thrilled to see the city centre come alive, emphasising the ripple effect such events have on the city’s heartbeat and economy.
With more headline acts already planned for summer 2026, Cardiff continues to shine on the music map. 🎤✨ Keep your eyes peeled for more exciting announcements! #CardiffConcerts #SummerofMusic #CityLife