Concerts have never looked bigger, but many fans say they don’t always feel better. New research from The London Essentials, reveals that UK audiences are craving connection over production, calling for surprise moments, phone-free gigs and genuine artist interaction instead of more lights, screens and special effects.

 

In the survey of 2,000 UK adults, three in 10 respondents said surprise guests would bring the magic back to live music (29%), while a fifth want to see phone-free gigs (21%) and joyous, unplanned moments that make each performance feel unique (21%). Others want wow-factor venues such as castles, rooftops or beaches (20%), and artists who actually engage with the crowd, through stories, banter and call-and-response moments that build energy and intimacy (19%).

 

And when it comes to the actual set list, whilst many people appreciate hearing original material, 18% of people also want those sought-after iconic moments from any live show – with covers of timeless favourites worked into a set to give it a natural peak. 

The research is from The London Essentials are a band of five gentlemen who specialise in raising the standard, pulse and temperature of parties around the world. Once experienced live, a band that is never forgotten. The London Essentials discard the formalities of the stage, with deliciously cheeky, theatrical performances that put the audience in the heart of a show. From intimate rooms to global stages, they’re known for transforming gatherings into shared experiences — the kind audiences say they miss: human, surprising and connected. Their perspective blends fresh research with insight from hundreds of performances each year for fans, brands and venues that value the magical moments created by fully immersive shows that live in the moment and put the audience into the heart of a show.

 

Ben Matthews, Founder of The London Essentials, said: “Spectacle is easy; connection is craft and intimacy is an art. The fans are telling us they remember the gasp, the chorus everyone sang, the moment the phones went away. That’s the magic — and it beats any new laser.”

  

Discover more about the London Essentials at: https://thelondonessentials.com/