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How can music help to create a successful bonfire event?
The benefits of using music at Bonfire Night events with tips from Leicester City Council
We all know to remember (remember) the 5th of November, but for the majority of Brits, Bonfire Night is about more than just remembering – it’s about celebrating!
According to YouGov, Bonfire Night is currently ranked the 10th most popular national and religious event in the UK, surpassing both Valentine’s Day and Halloween.1
Around 14 million people are thought to celebrate regularly,2 with the likes of Glasgow, London, Devon, Cambridge and Lewes in East Sussex, hailed as Bonfire Night celebratory ‘hot spots’.3
Unsurprisingly, the majority of people marking the occasion plan to head out to do so, favouring organised events over staying at home.
According to our survey, 84% of 18 to 24-year-olds said they were planning or thinking about attending an organised bonfire event last year, a figure that rose to an overwhelming 92% of 25 to 34-year-olds.4
Overall figures found that over three-quarters (76.8%) of UK adults were considering marking Bonfire Night by attending an organised event last year4 – with the majority willing to spend in order to make the most out of the occasion.
97.2% of people who were attending Bonfire Night events said they would be willing to purchase a ticket, with some Bonfire Night enthusiasts willing to spend over £20 per ticket – or even more if music and entertainment were on offer. 4
Music at Bonfire events
According to our survey, almost 70% (69.4%) of people who said they would be attending Bonfire Night events revealed that they would be willing to spend more on entry if entertainment such as live music or DJ sets were included. 4
More than 1 in 3 (36%) said that music and entertainment would encourage them to attend an event, while almost half (45.7%) said that music makes them feel uplifted and the overall experience more enjoyable.4
As Kellie Bugby, Festivals & Events Senior Officer at Leicester City Council, which hosts an annual Bonfire event attracting around 15,000 attendees, explains:
Music adds an extra layer of atmosphere to the Abbey Park Bonfire and Fireworks Display, but it plays a supporting role to the main attraction, the fireworks and bonfire themselves.”
“We offer the opportunity for local performers to use the stage as a platform to showcase their talent, entertain the crowd, and be part of one of Leicester’s most popular public events. It’s a great chance for musicians, dancers, and community groups to gain exposure, perform in front of a large audience, and contribute to the vibrant atmosphere leading up to the fireworks display.”
Spectators are likely to be interested in hearing music during the fireworks display too, with over half (52.6%) saying music makes them feel more entertained while watching fireworks and makes the display more impactful. 4
As Kellie adds:
“While the live music and performances help to build excitement and keep the crowd entertained, and the soundtrack during the fireworks can enhance the experience, it’s ultimately the visual spectacle that people come to see.
The scale, colour, and choreography of the fireworks are the main focus, and music simply helps to complement that. It can add to the mood and help with pacing.”
Bonfire Night Playlist
What music is best to play?
Our survey found that more than 1 in 3 (34.3%) said that music can help to create a seasonal feel and can put them in the mood for watching fireworks,4 suggesting that attendees prefer to hear music that suits the occasion and helps to set the mood.
More than 1 in 5 also said music can help to make an event feel more family-friendly and can make an event feel more welcoming. 4
For Leicester City Council, this means selecting music that is upbeat and age-appropriate that also works with the display. As Kellie adds:
“The music used at the Abbey Park Bonfire and Fireworks Display is carefully selected to complement the atmosphere of the event. The fireworks soundtrack often includes a mix of popular hits, classic tracks, and dramatic pieces, chosen to match the pace and mood of the display. While not always based on a specific theme, the music is updated each year to keep the show fresh and engaging.
The live music performed on stage before the fireworks is delivered by local artists and community performers, offering a variety of styles from pop and rock to cultural and family-friendly acts. This supports Leicester’s local talent and helps create a lively build-up to the main display.”
Do I need a music licence for a Bonfire event?
Using music during firework displays or including live music and entertainment at a Bonfire Night event will usually require a music licence.
Under The Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, permission is needed from the relevant copyright holders – those people who create music – in order to play or perform music in public.
Obtaining TheMusicLicence gives you this permission, in relation to the vast majority of commercially available music. This ranges from grassroots and independent artists and composers through to the biggest names in the business.
Find out more and get TheMusicLicence for Bonfire Night celebrations by visiting pplprs.co.uk/get-themusiclicence/
References
- https://yougov.co.uk/ratings/entertainment/popularity/national-and-religious-events/all
- https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5f9fce588fa8f57f4383f523/opss-fireworks-evidence-base-report.pdf.(Page 5)
- https://www.togethertravel.co.uk/blog/uks-top-10-best-bonfire-night-events-2024
- Survey performed by PPL PRS via Attest of 500 UK adults in October 2024
Author
Rhiannon Jepson
Rhiannon Jepson is a Member of The Chartered Institute of Public Relations and has worked in communication roles for around 7 years. She joined PPL PRS in November 2017, shortly after studying for a degree in English Literature, where she developed her love of writing and creativity. Since then, she has completed the CIPR Foundation course and enjoys bringing together her love of communications and music through her role as Senior PR & Communications Executive.
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