Wet LegA British music industry trade mission is heading to Australia to boost its artists and companies, and make connections between executives and associations from both countries.
It is primarily organised by The Department of Business and Trade (DBT) and the British Phonographic Industry (BPI).
Previous missions have looked at Sydney and Melbourne. This one, to visit from August 18 to September 5, is heading to Brisbane and the Gold Coast.
BIGSOUND in Brisbane has made Britain the “featured country”, where delegates will pitch the strengths and opportunities for collaboration.
According to the BPI, BIGSOUND will “provide a platform for the Australian and British music industries to build connections through a curated program of industry events, networking opportunities and cultural exchange.”
The Gold Coast visit will be hosted by Invest Gold Coast. The program “will showcase the city’s Music Plan, investment in live music infrastructure, export development initiatives and growing reputation as a music-industry hub.”
It is not known who specifically will be in the mission.
But artists, managers, promoters, record labels, music publishers, digital distribution companies, festival bookers, directors and organisers covering all genres of music are invited to apply to join. Their deadline to apply is July 8.
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According to the IFPI’s latest Global Music Report, recorded music revenues in Australia and New Zealand grew by 1.5% in 2025 to reach US$623 million (AU$887 8 million).
In the report, Australia dropped down to #13 as the biggest music market in the world.
But Brit music executives see a strong potential for growth in this market, given the decades-long support for their music. BPI data shows Australia is the fourth largest export market for UK recorded music globally, after the US, Germany, and France.
British music makes up 16.6% of streaming consumption by Aussies, and 25% to 28% of commercial radio airplay. In comparison, their reach-out to their own domestic acts is only 8% to 9%.
Obviously Adele, Coldplay, and Ed Sheeran are super-acts in this country. Calvin Harris, Charli XCX, Dave, Lewis Capaldi, Lily Allen, The Cure, and Oasis continued to enjoy significant global success last year.
Next Generation
But what’s exciting about the British music market is how Australians have also been quick to embrace the next generation.
These include Olivia Dean, YUNGBLUD, Lola Young, PinkPantheress, Wet Leg, Wolf Alice, Sam Fender, Skye Newman, Sienna Spiro, EsDeeKid, Sleep Token, Central Cee, Chrystal, FLO, The Last Dinner Party, and Myles Smith.
In a BPI report published in March, this new blood helped the UK recorded music market in 2025 surpass £1.5 billion (AU$2.82 billion) (to £1.57 billion or $2.95 billion) in annual revenue for the first time. Marked with a 5% rise, it marked the British music industry’s increase for an 11th consecutive year
Streaming revenue rose by a further 4.6% to a new record level of £1.07 billion ($2 billion). Physical music revenue increased for a third consecutive year, led by a 19.9% lift in vinyl sales.
BPI Chief Executive Dr Jo Twist reiterated at the time: “Beyond the positive headlines, what is especially satisfying about this 11th consecutive annual rise in UK recorded music revenue is that it has been in part driven by a resurgence in British music with a new generation of artists breaking through.
“Its impact is being felt not just at home but globally, highlighted by the recent Grammy wins of Olivia Dean, Lola Young and others, as well as on streaming services and music charts around the world.”
The UK Government has also been investing heavily in getting its independent acts to make a mark internationally. This is through its Music Export Growth Scheme (MEGS) which provides grants of between £5,000 ($9,413) and £50,000 ($94,138).
Over 23 rounds, it helped 522 acts including Dave and Ezra Collective – and delivered an estimated £73.5 million ($138.3 million) financial return for the UK economy, according to the Department for Business and Trade.
The latest to get a financial lifeline were Nina Nesbitt, Dry Cleaning, The Snuts, Wes Nelson, The Wellermen, and Black Country, New Road.
Before the UK trade mission arrives in Australia, it will also visit Japan from August 13 to 20.
According to the IFPI, Japan was the second-biggest music market globally in 2025, with revenues up by 8.9%. Japan is also recognised as the world’s largest physical music market.
The trade mission will attend the Summer Sonic Festival, and a reception at the British Embassy in Tokyo for delegates and invited industry guests. It will also include a programme of educational sessions, networking, B2B meetings, and music company site visits.
This piece of content has been assisted by the Australian Government through Music Australia and Creative Australia, its arts funding and advisory body
