Eden Sessions welcomed almost 60,000 music fans across ten shows as part of the Eden Project’s 25th anniversary year.
The milestone comes at a significant moment for the UK’s live music industry. While the sector contributed £8 billion to the UK economy and supported 220,000 jobs in 20241, organisers across the country continue to face significant pressures from rising costs and changing audience behaviours, reflected in a decline in the number of UK festivals in recent years, from an estimated 800-900 before the pandemic to around 592 today2.
Against this backdrop, the Eden Sessions delivered its biggest line-up to-date, bringing 28 artists to Cornwall to perform in front of the Biomes and passing 150 shows over 25 years.
Audience feedback from the 2026 season revealed exceptionally high levels of satisfaction, with 97 per cent of attendees rating headline acts as excellent or very good. The event also continued to attract new audiences, with one third attending a Session for the first time.
Simon Townsend, director of the Eden Sessions, said: “Live music remains one of the experiences people value most. At a time when audiences are becoming increasingly selective about where they spend their money, it’s encouraging to see the Sessions attracting both return fans and first-time visitors.
"We're very conscious that this has been a challenging period for many venues, festivals and event organisers, both in Cornwall and across the UK. That's why we're particularly grateful for the continued support of our audiences, artists, partners and suppliers.
"Cornwall's reputation as a cultural destination depends on a rich mix of live music, arts and events across the county, and we're proud to play our part in that wider story. When live music thrives, it benefits local businesses, supports jobs and helps attract visitors to the region. The recent Government business rates support announced for live music venues is a welcome recognition of the importance of protecting that ecosystem for the future."
Beyond the music and lit-up Biomes, the Sessions supports over 200 jobs across event production, hospitality, security, stewarding and associated services.
The event also provides opportunities for local students studying Festival and Events Management degrees to gain hands-on experience as part of the event.
Further audience research found that the Eden Sessions achieved a visitor recommendation score (Net Promoter Score) of 79, a figure considered world-class within the live music industry.
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