The Royal Albert Hall hosts a wide range of concerts and musical events 

London is one of the major classical and popular music capitals of the world and is home to major music corporations, such as EMI and Decca Records, as well as countless bands, musicians and industry professionals.

London is home to many orchestras and concert halls such as the Barbican Arts Centre (principal base of the London Symphony Orchestra), Cadogan Hall (Royal Philharmonic Orchestra), the Royal Albert Hall (BBC Promenade Concerts), the Royal Festival Hall (Philharmonia Orchestra, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, London Sinfonietta) and Wigmore Hall.London's two main opera houses are the Royal Opera House and the Coliseum Theatre.

As a cultural centre for the United Kingdom, London has had a major role in many popular music movements. It has numerous renowned venues for rock and pop concerts, including large arenas such as Earls Court and Wembley Arena, as well as more intimate venues, such as Brixton Academy, Hammersmith Apollo and The London Astoria.The O2 Arena is a recent addition to the number of well known music venues in the capital, and was voted the best. The area around the northern part of Charing Cross Road in Westminster is well - known for its shops that sell modern musical instruments and audio equipment. London was home of one of the legs for both the Live Aid and Live 8 concerts.

Inside The O2 ArenaLondon and its surrounding Home Counties have spawned iconic and popular artists. London is home to the first and original Hard Rock Cafe and the illustrious Abbey Road Studios where The Beatles created many of their hits. Musicians such as Bob Marley, Jimi Hendrix and Freddie Mercury have lived in London.Notable musicians and groups associated with London include Pink Floyd, The Who, Iron Maiden, Elton John, Elvis Costello, Cliff Richard, John Lennon, Queen, Yoko Ono, Paul McCartney, Fleetwood Mac, Led Zeppelin, The Rolling Stones, and The Police. London was instrumental in the development of punk music, with figures such as the Sex Pistols, The Clash, and Vivienne Westwood all based in the city.

London and the surrounding areas are also well known for large summer music festivals that take place annually and feature dozens of performances ranging from local acts and DJs to nationally recognized headline performers. Some of the most popular of these festivals include the 02 Wireless Festival and Latitude Festival (held in July), The Big Chill and Reading Festivals (in August) and Bestival (held in September). Although London festivals typically attract large numbers of locals, visitors travel from throughout the UK and Europe to attend the events.

As Britain's largest urban area, London has played a key role in the development of most British-born strains of "urban" and electronic music, such as drum and bass, UK garage, grime and dubstep, and is home to many UK hip hop artists.

The largest entertainment venture of all time, The Phantom of the Opera, a musical by Andrew Lloyd Webber, premiered here at Her Majesty's Theatre, and emerged as the highest grossing entertainment event with US $3.3 billion, and attendance of 80 million worldwide.