Live entertainment continues to thrive in the UK, despite competition from a wide range of out-of-home leisure venues and the increased choice and availability of in-home entertainment, such as multichannel TV, computer games and the Internet. Although it does not appeal to everyone, there are still a substantial number who believe that nothing beats the atmosphere of a live performance. From theatre and opera to karaoke and lap-dancing, there is something to suit most tastes. Following the introduction of the Licensing Bill during 2003, there has been much focus on live entertainment, by individuals, organisations, Parliament and the media, looking at both the positive and the negative, such as noise and safety issues. The effect of this legislation has yet to be seen, however it has highlighted the unique place that live entertainment has in Britain and has opened up the debate about its future.

This report examines the live entertainment industry in the UK and is a follow-up to Mintel's first report on the subject, published in 2001. It consists primarily of exclusive consumer research into live entertainment visiting in the UK, examining attendance at events and venues according to genre. The report also analyses a range of consumer attitudes and looks into the types of live entertainment events that consumers would like to attend in the future, providing new insight into:

The proportion of the UK's population that has seen some form of live entertainment in the last 12 months – who, what and where

Key target groups for live entertainment and those who are best left alone

A vital crossover in appeal within each genre and the opportunities for cross promotion this offers

The potential impact of a shake-up of licensing laws

The most popular live events, including music, theatre, dance and comedians

An increasing acceptance of live adult entertainment and the consumers most likely to attend such an event

Pop idol or Mastermind - the popularity of karaoke vs. the pub quiz

Why there appears to be a significant increase in the percentage of respondents who agree that 'you can't beat the atmosphere of a live performance'.

The audience of the future

For the purposes of this report, Mintel defines live entertainment as that in which the artist, speaker or performer is present at the time of the event. It also includes those forms of entertainment where there is live interaction and audience participation, such as quiz nights and karaoke. It does not include entertainment that forms part of a live or interactive transmission, such as on the radio, TV or over the Internet and also excludes all sporting events.

Following these definitions, this report provides new analysis of:

Market factors/ The live entertainment consumer/ Live musical entertainment/ Live theatrical entertainment/ Live adult entertainment/ Live pub-type entertainment/ Other live entertainment/ Consumer attitudes and typologies/ Future trends/ Sales forecasts

Other Mintel reports of relevance include:

- Catering for the Family - UK, Leisure Intelligence, December 2003

- Satellite and Cable TV - UK, Leisure Intelligence, August 2003

- Late Licensing - UK, Leisure Intelligence, October 2003

- The Leisure Business - UK, Leisure Intelligence, August 2003

- The Changing Face of Leisure - UK, Special Report, 2003

- Independent Pubs - UK, Leisure Intelligence, May 2003

- British Lifestyles - UK, Special, 2003

- Leisure: In Vs Out of Town - UK, Leisure Intelligence, January 2004

- High Street Pubs and Bars - UK, Leisure Intelligence, March 2004

- Britons on Holiday at Home - UK, Leisure Intelligence, March 2004

- Days Out - UK, Leisure Intelligence, April 2004

- Sponsorship - UK, Special Report, 2004

- Pub Visiting - UK, Leisure Intelligence, August 2004

- Nightclubs - UK, Leisure Intelligence, December 2004.