FOR Cardiff, the city centre’s Business Improvement District, has launched its second annual Summer of Music campaign to help visitors enjoy a safe, accessible and memorable experience in Cardiff, while supporting businesses to make the most of the increased footfall generated by major events.
At least 31 major outdoor and stadium concerts are already confirmed across Cardiff Castle, Blackweir and Principality Stadium this summer, with a broad line-up spanning pop, rock, punk, indie, dance, garage and metal.
Cardiff Castle will host its biggest ever summer of live entertainment, with 24 nights of live music and more than 80 artists performing between June and August. More than 180,000 tickets have already been sold for the TK Maxx presents DEPOT Live at Cardiff Castle series, with headline acts including Katy Perry, Biffy Clyro, Richard Ashcroft, Billy Ocean, MIKA, David Gray, Bastille, MCFLY, The Streets, Self Esteem, Empire of the Sun, Sex Pistols featuring Frank Carter, Two Door Cinema Club and Hollywood Vampires.
The second year of Blackweir will bring another five major shows to Blackweir Fields, following the successful launch of the outdoor concert series in 2025. This year’s programme includes The Cure, Teddy Swims, two nights of Lewis Capaldi, and Pitbull.
Principality Stadium will also welcome two major international tours: Take That’s spectacular return of The Circus Live on 16 June, followed by Metallica’s record- breaking M72 World Tour on 28 June, with support from Gojira and Knocked Loose.
The importance of live music to Cardiff’s economy was underlined by an independent report commissioned following last year’s events. The report found that the 23 outdoor concerts held at Blackweir and Cardiff Castle, delivered by Cardiff-based DEPOT Live and promoters Cuffe & Taylor, resulted in around £25 million being spent outside the concert venues and excluding travel costs – benefiting businesses in Cardiff and the surrounding area. Around two-thirds of attendees travelled from outside the city.
Across the UK, the events created around £85 million of economic activity. Eventgoers spent around £31 million outside the concert sites, including £7 million on accommodation, £12 million in bars, cafés, coffee shops, restaurants and takeaways, £5.4 million on travel to the concerts and £1.9 million at visitor attractions and commercial leisure facilities.
The concerts also generated approximately 40,000 room nights across a variety of paid accommodation in Cardiff, more than 700,000 additional visits to eating and drinking establishments, more than 63,000 additional shopping trips and around 43,000 taxi journeys.
FOR Cardiff also published retail analytics data from Beauclair last year showing the impact of the summer’s major events; city-centre sales reached £44.1 million in July 2025, up 15.6% compared with July 2024.
FOR Cardiff’s 2026 Summer of Music campaign will bring together practical information for residents, visitors and businesses through a dedicated online hub. Resources will include travel updates, maps and information on road closures, alongside safety and accessibility guidance to help people plan their visit with confidence.
A dedicated ‘Summer of Music Business Guide’ will also help city-centre businesses of all shapes and sized to capitalise on the increased footfall created by major gigs, offering practical ideas for promotions, offers and themed activations that encourage visitors to shop, eat, drink and spend more time in the city.
The campaign aligns with the wider Cardiff Music City Strategy and its ambition to support and nurture music-making at every level, while strengthening the city’s reputation as a leading destination for live music and music tourism.
Carolyn Brownell, Chief Executive at FOR Cardiff, said:
“Cardiff has firmly established itself as one of the UK’s leading live music cities, and this summer’s calendar is another powerful reminder of the role major events play in bringing the city centre to life.
“These gigs are not only brilliant cultural moments; they are an important economic opportunity for businesses across the city centre. Visitors come into Cardiff to see the artists they love, but they also book hotel rooms, eat and drink in our bars and restaurants, shop, travel around the city and often make a full day or weekend of their visit.
“Our Summer of Music campaign is about helping people plan ahead, and enjoy the best possible experience, while giving businesses practical tools to make the most of the increased footfall. Cardiff’s compact and walkable city centre is a real strength, and we want to ensure the benefits of this exceptional summer are felt as widely as possible.”
Nick Saunders, founder of DEPOT Live, said:
“One of the things that makes Cardiff such a special place to put on shows is the way the venues sit right at the heart of the city. Fans are not arriving at an isolated concert site and leaving again; they are spending time in the city centre, staying in hotels, visiting bars and restaurants, shopping and enjoying everything Cardiff has to offer.
“We are proud to bring world-class artists to the Welsh capital, but the wider impact matters too. Working closely with FOR Cardiff and other city partners helps make sure visitors have a brilliant experience and that local businesses are well placed to benefit from the opportunities these events create.”
Nick Newman, Area Manager at Croeso Pubs, which operates nine bars and pubs in the city, and Chair of Cardiff’s Night Forum said:
“Cardiff has a fantastic reputation as an ‘Event City' and the rise in summer live music events in Cardiff city centre in recent years adds yet another showcase opportunity for our hospitality businesses to ‘wow’ both UK and international visitors. The promotion and management of these concerts is also testament to the tried and tested partnership working that goes on between Cardiff Council, SW Police, FOR Cardiff and the Night Forum, and this collaboration is what makes these events so successful.”
Helen Morgan, Centre Director at St David’s Cardiff, added:
“There’s nothing better than when Cardiff is abuzz with the excitement of live music, and our city continues to secure some of the world’s best artists across an incredible range of venues. Last year we created The Wonder Wall in celebration of the Oasis Live ’25 tour kicking off in Cardiff, a larger-than-life work of art which became a global sensation and a must-visit photo spot for fans through the summer – even securing approval from the band themselves. Live shows have a positive impact on not just the atmosphere in the city but also the number of guests we see in the centre, both locals and those visiting from further afield. There have been some brilliant events already this year, and we’re looking forward to seeing what the rest of this summer has to offer.”
FOR Cardiff will continue to update its Summer of Music hub throughout the season.
