This summer, the UK events industry demonstrated once again its extraordinary determination, professionalism, and adaptability. The PSA is proud to represent the hardworking individuals and companies underpinning our vital ecosystem of festivals, concerts, sporting fixtures, and cultural gatherings delivered over the past few months. The commitment to excellence and a shared passion for delivering unforgettable experiences have been the driving forces behind every event, large or small.
The summer is the beating heart of the UK outdoor events calendar – a time when months of planning, logistics, and creativity converge on fields, parks, stadiums, and city squares.
This year, the dedication and resilience of our industry professionals have yet again been stretched and tested. With a packed schedule of events, ranging from beloved heritage festivals to cutting-edge new productions, the demand on crews, suppliers, and organisers has been unrelenting.
From riggers at dawn to engineers working late into the night, site managers orchestrating complex builds, and caterers keeping crews and attendees fuelled, every link in the chain has played a vital role. Behind the scenes, our colleagues have worked hard hours, often in challenging conditions, to ensure that events run safely, seamlessly, and memorably.
The PSA has witnessed first-hand the extraordinary teamwork and problem-solving that characterise our sector, even under intense pressure. This summer has not been without its hurdles. The unpredictability of the British weather is legendary, 2025 proved especially challenging.
From prolonged periods of rain and high winds disrupting build schedules and threatening stage infrastructure, to unseasonably hot spells requiring enhanced measures for audience safety and crew welfare, every event has had to factor in contingency upon contingency.
Logistical complications have been further compounded by post-pandemic supply chain issues and a skills shortage across many technical roles. The sector’s talent pool, already stretched by the loss of experienced personnel, has been required to innovate and upskill at pace. Furthermore, the cost of materials, fuel, and insurance has continued to rise, creating additional pressures on margins and planning. From delivering internationally respected productions, Oasis and The Royal Military Edinburgh Tattoo among them, to rapid deployment of last-minute solutions as with Tomorrowland in Belgium, our UK industry professionals have remained agile and solutions-focussed.
The resilience shown by event professionals – often underappreciated and unseen – has ensured that the UK’s outdoor events have retained their world-class reputation.
As summer closes, our industry turns towards the autumn and winter seasons. The shift brings new opportunities and different challenges. Indoor events, from arena tours to corporate celebrations and immersive theatre experiences, bring new creative and technical challenges, but also demand meticulous planning in terms of logistics, staffing, and sustainability management.
The growing popularity of illuminated trails, Christmas markets, and winter festivals signals a season of innovation, with production teams embracing new technologies and creative concepts. Focus must remain with contingency planning, crew well-being, and audience experience remaining at the forefront.
The PSA remains committed to supporting our members through advocacy, training, promoting safe working practices and fostering collaboration. As an industry, we continue to call on government and stakeholders to recognise the vital contribution of events to the UK economy and society. A recent stat in the LIVE 2024 Annual Report quoted that there was one gig every 137 seconds in the UK. The road ahead will always have obstacles, but as this summer has shown, the UK events industry is defined above all by its resilience, ingenuity, and unwavering dedication.
In the coming months, as nights draw in and temperatures fall, our teams will be there – working, creating, and inspiring. Together, we look forward to another season of bringing people together, creating memories, and showcasing the very best of what our industry can achieve.
Words: Liz Madden and Tom Rees
Photo: TPi
