The pulse of the UK’s live msuci scnne will be taken shortly, in what is the world’s first national live music census.

On Thursday March 9th, a volunteer army of music lovers will survey performances in cities across the country – as they say, “from lone buskers to massed choirs, from pub gigs to stadium concerts.”

The UK Live Music Census is the brainchild of the universities of Edinburgh, Glasgow and Newcastle, and there will be coordinated report-taking in these cities plus Oxford, Leeds, Birmingham, Southampton and Brighton. It follows a pilot scheme conducted in Edinburgh two years ago.

Volunteers will be asked to record aspects of the gig including the musical genre, the venue, door charge and audience demographic.

Lead organiser Dr Matt Brennan from the University of Edinburgh said: “This is like a Springwatch for live music. We want people to let us know everything about the music they see on this one day.

“Live music in the UK – from the Beatles and the Sex Pistols to West End musicals and Glastonbury – has transformed our culture, yet it is constantly under pressure. This census will help give us an accurate snapshot of the scene’s health.”

A nationwide online survey for musicians, venues, promoters and audiences will also go live on 9 March and will be open until 8 May, at www.uklivemusiccensus.org.