Country music’s presence in the UK has never been stronger, with new data from BPI’s All About The Music 2025 yearbook revealing that the genre achieved its biggest annual share of the UK recorded music market this century.
Thanks to artists like Beyoncé, Morgan Wallen and Post Malone, country music expanded its influence, capturing a growing mainstream audience while making waves in both the singles and albums markets.
Country’s Market Breakthrough
For years, country music remained a niche presence in the UK, but the latest figures show a remarkable turnaround. According to BPI’s analysis, the genre more than doubled its share of the singles market compared to just two years ago. In 2024, country claimed a 3.3% share of singles consumption—its highest stake this century. This success was driven by hits such as Shaboozey’s A Bar Song (Tipsy) and Austin by Dasha.
On the albums front, country reached new heights, securing 2.9% of the UK’s artist album market, surpassing previous years’ figures. Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter led the charge, alongside Morgan Wallen and Post Malone, while Kacey Musgraves’ Deeper Well and Lainey Wilson’s Whirlwind also contributed to country’s growing influence.
Dr Jo Twist OBE, BPI’s Chief Executive, confirmed the genre’s rising mainstream appeal:
“Country’s rising popularity was one of music’s best-kept secrets, but packed-out crowds at events like C2C and The Long Road festival, successful year-round touring by leading promoters, and the genre’s growing streaming numbers suggested it was only a matter of time before the mainstream caught up.”
Country’s Impact on Mainstream Music
Beyond numbers, country’s influence has spread across the music industry, shaping pop culture and bridging genres. Miley Cyrus, whose father Billy Ray Cyrus made country history with Achy Breaky Heart, has blended country elements into her work, while Chappell Roan’s The Giver brought country’s storytelling flair into the pop landscape.
Taylor Swift’s journey from country prodigy to global pop sensation continues to influence the genre’s crossover appeal, with country undertones still present in her evolving sound.
BBC Radio 2 and 6 Music Head of Music Jeff Smith highlighted country’s resurgence among audiences looking for emotional depth and strong melodies:
“There has been a growing reaction to the domination of rhythmic music over the last 20 years, which I think has led to some people looking for more thoughtful, emotionally-powerful lyrics and interesting, often rawer melodies. That is the criteria of country music.”
UK Country on the Rise
British country artists are continuing to carve out their place in the scene. From The Shires (tour info), who first broke into the UK’s Top 10 albums chart in 2013, to Ward Thomas (tour info), who made history with the first-ever UK country No.1 album in 2016, UK-based acts are redefining the genre’s success story.
New talent such as Mercury Prize-shortlisted CMAT and Northern Ireland-born Gareth are further propelling country music forward in the UK.
This year, UK country music takes another major step forward as Remember Monday, a country-pop trio, represents the UK at the Eurovision Song Contest with What The Hell Just Happened. Their breakthrough adds to the growing visibility of homegrown country acts, cementing the genre’s expanding presence on global stages.
RW Publicity founder Richard Wootton acknowledged the shift in country’s UK audience:
“The majority of the UK country audience are now aged between 18 and 35, and country music is the fastest growing music genre in the UK.”
Live Events Fuel Country’s Growth
Behind country’s rise in the UK is a sustained international push led by the Nashville-based Country Music Association (CMA), which has spent over a decade championing the genre worldwide. Festivals like C2C (Country to Country), which launched in London in 2013 and now includes Glasgow and Belfast, continue to introduce UK audiences to country’s biggest stars. The 2025 edition, headlined by Lainey Wilson, Dierks Bentley and Cody Johnson, further cemented country’s expansion.
Baylen Leonard, The Long Road Festival Creative Director, noted the role of live events in the genre’s growth:
“It’s a golden age for country music in the UK… Whether it’s headline tours or festival line-ups from The Long Road or C2C, there are more opportunities for UK fans to dive into the world of country music and experience it first-hand.”
Anna-Sophie Mertens, SVP Touring at Live Nation UK, reinforced this sentiment:
“One of country music’s most prolific current artists is Morgan Wallen, who sold out The O2, London in 2023 in a matter of minutes, leading to him being the first country artist to headline BST Hyde Park in July 2024. Live moments like these translate to increased music consumption and in turn deliver a surge in demand for the genre as a whole.”
BBC Radio 2, the UK’s most listened-to station, has played a pivotal role in pushing country forward. The station has been the official media sponsor of the C2C festival and continues to spotlight country music through its Bob Harris Country show and BBC Sounds content.
BBC Radio 2 and 6 Music Head of Music Jeff Smith emphasised Radio 2’s commitment to country music:
“At Radio 2, the UK’s most listened to radio station with a weekly audience of 13.6m, Country has always been a part of our DNA. Our weekly show, fronted by the UK’s very own Country legend Bob Harris, is the nation’s most listened to Country music programme, and recently celebrated its 26th anniversary. In 2013 we helped to launch the Country 2 Country music festival and have been their broadcast partner ever since.”
Country’s Future in the UK
With country’s biggest market share in decades and growing crossover appeal, the genre is more embedded in UK music culture than ever before. As artists continue to push boundaries and live events bring country closer to British audiences, the momentum shows no signs of slowing.
All About The Music 2025 is free to BPI members, but can be purchased by non-members here. Join www.countrymusic.co.uk’s monthly newsletter to get updates in your inbox.
