Appearing before Congress earlier this week, representatives for NIVA revealed the messy and unpredictable state live music in 2022.
Concerts are back! Unfortunately, fans aren’t.
A representative from NIVA (the National Independent Venue Association) testified before a US Congressional committee Wednesday to address the ongoing financial impact of the pandemic on live music. Among the topics discussed were no-show ticketholders and their impact on venue operating costs.
NIVA was represented by its Plains chapter secretary Raeanne Presley, the co-owner of Presleys’ Theater in Branson, Missouri, who shared the ongoing challenges faced by small venues and the entire sector.
During her testimony, Presley noted that since the Omicron surge safety concerns had both stalled future ticket sales and decimated current attendance. “Usually 5% of ticket buyers don’t attend,” said Presley. “Now the number of no-shows is often closer to 50% and most of us rely on in-venue sales to cover our expenses.”
The comments above make sense. Ticket sales primarily go to cover talent. Venues depend on foot traffic to sell food and drinks, not to mention merch and anything else available. A sold-out show can still lose money if not enough people turn up ready to spend cash.
During the hearing, most members of both parties appeared to endorse some form of additional aide for the sector, but did not coalesce around a single solution. In other words, we made no progress beyond being heard.
Other witnesses included representatives from Be An #ArtsHero, the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, and Actors’ Equity.
You can view the full congressional presentation below:
NIVA finds itself in a tough position. Many assume that reopening venues resolved the initial problems caused by COVID-19. Making people understand the disconnect between hosting shows and making money will be an uphill battle. It’s a necessary one, however, because change won’t happen until enough people demand it.
Every day someone asks me the same question: Where do we go from here?
On July 8, something incredible happened. For the first time in over 14 months, I stepped inside a music venue and watched multiple bands perform to an all-ages crowd without masks or social distancing. I cannot lie and say it felt normal. The first sign of a mosh pit made me cringe, as did the first person I saw crowd surfing. Over time, however, I grew comfortable. Everything was the way it would’ve been at any point before March 2020, and for a moment, that felt great.
Then I snapped back to reality. The year is 2021, and we are still in a global pandemic claiming more lives with each passing day. The world as we know it is not returning to normal. We don’t know what normal looks like anymore.
But entertainment is one of several industries leading the charge for normalcy. The last several months have included countless tour and festival announcements, each with on-sale dates and massive promotion. Tickets for these events have been selling in record numbers. Some analysts describe consumer behavior right now as “the YOLO economy.” People are spending more money to do more things than ever because they’re sick of the way we’ve been living for the last year. It seems everyone is willing to do anything that gets them out of their house, and most will pay whatever it takes for an experience that makes them feel a bit more alive.
At the same time, news of new COVID variants makes daily headlines. The cold hard truth is that nobody knows how to defeat the beast that this pandemic has become. Vaccines are incredibly effective at preventing sickness and keeping those who do contract the virus from dying. Still, there is a large segment of the population who are seemingly unwilling to get a shot. Then there’s the ongoing discussion about the possibility of needing additional injections down the line, as well as disagreements at every level of government as to what citizens should be made to do and what should be considered optional. All that, coupled with the increasingly aggressive variants that are continuing to emerge, the ongoing wage crisis in America and the worker shortage it’s creating, and that potential for a positive COVID diagnosis to completely derail any event at a moment’s notice, is making a lot of hurdles for people hoping to maintain the illusion of normalcy.
I cannot remember the last week that passed without one or more of my coworkers asking me what the industry at large was thinking regarding the coronavirus pandemic. At first, everyone was delaying their projects and tours until they could properly promote them with face-to-face fan interaction. Certain people who made that choice later pivoted to digitally releasing their creations without a proper promotional tour. Others are still sitting on ideas that have been percolating for nearly two years.
Elsewhere, some people are touring, and others are canceling tours. A few festivals are requiring proof of vaccination to enter, but others are not. Jason Isbell says he’ll cancel shows if they don’t require proof of vaccinations. Don’t test it. He’ll do it.
To put it in the simplest terms: The music industry as we know it is a mess right now. Nobody agrees on the right way to do things, and that is confusing the entertainment ecosystem. That confusion inevitably leads to anxiety, which creates stress, and before you know it — everyone is miserable.
But what can we do? The answer, for most of us, is nothing. We are at the mercy of the public. How millions of strangers choose to live their lives will decide what happens in our careers. If people are irresponsible, more music professionals will lose jobs, and live shows will disappear once more. If people protect themselves and others by following the guidelines of those on the frontlines, then maybe touring can continue. If touring can continue, albums can release, artists can sell merchandise, and everyone can make money. That money will then help pay to support label staff, publicists, management, booking agents, promoters, marketers, merch sellers, bus drivers, road crew members, producers, engineers, studio and office overhead costs, etc.
Trying to stay positive in the music industry right now is a lot like trying to stay positive about the future of civilization while being fully aware of climate change. In both instances, we recognize the need for change, but we also understand that the level of change needed is greater than what we can accomplish alone. The best we can do is stay safe, stay informed, and support one another. There will always be music. There will always be people writing songs and trying to find ways to get those songs to people who need to hear them. The music industry as we know it will inevitably change, but that change will hopefully lead to a better entertainment business for everyone. Change may be scary, but it is (usually) also good.
If you’re reading this right now and you or someone you love is working in music, please know you are not alone. Whatever storm of thoughts and doubts are circling your brain right now are plaguing many others as well, myself included. Nobody knows what next week is going to look like for our industry, let alone next month. What matters most is that we support another, talk to another, and never lose sight of why we fell for music in the first place. Music is the great equalizer. Throughout time, music is what brings people together. It is there for us in our darkest hours and our most brilliant moments. Music means so much to so many, and that will never change. Our roles in the industry will evolve and (more than likely) disappear in time, but new needs and opportunities will emerge. Throughout it all, music will remain.
Take it easy, my friend. There is nothing to do that isn’t already being done. For every problem, there is a solution, and we will find the answers we need in time. Until then, in the immortal words of Laura Jane Grace, “Don’t Lose Touch.”
As the world races to stop the spread of yet another COVID variant, many in music are beginning to worry about what might happen to live music if the US enters another lockdown.
We have to talk about COVID-19. Regardless of your feelings or beliefs regarding the novel coronavirus, there is no denying that we are still living in a global pandemic. The recent return of live music seems to tease normalcy, but the latest headlines tell a much scarier story.
The most recent COVID variants are the most aggressive yet. Both the Delta variant and far more recent Delta+ are more transmissible and deadly than previous iterations of the virus. Worse yet, everyone is at risk, including the vaccinated and those with antibodies. The spread is out of control, and many believe a fresh round of cultural restrictions is on the horizon.
In this Music Biz update, host James Shotwell tells you everything you need to know about the Delta variant, the battle against COVID-19, and the growing concerns around the industry regarding the future of live music.
Music Biz is brought to you by Haulix, the music industry’s leading promotional distribution platform. Start your one-month free trial today and gain instant access to the same promotional tools used by BMG, Concord, Rise Records, Pure Noise Records, and hundreds more. Visit http://haulix.com/signup for details.
Live music is back! Here are a few things music journalists and photographers should keep in mind before heading out to a show.
Can you believe it? After more than a year away, Live music is back. Concerts are already happening across America and worldwide, with hundreds more being announced every week. Live Nation, one of the most prominent concert promoters on the planet, says they will have twice as many artists touring next year as they did in 2019. That would have worried the industry a few years ago, but today, demand and excitement are at an all-time high. Fans are ready. Artists are prepared. Everyone is itching to get back in the pit and sing along to their favorite songs while surrounded by people who feel the same way they do about music. It’s a beautiful thing.
Music journalists and photographers, many of whom have spent the past year trying everything in their power to make click were the headlines from reviews and live stream announcements, are pretty excited as well. As much as writing about tour announcements and reviewing albums can be a satisfying experience, nothing compares to the thrill of covering a live show. A well-written review or beautifully captured photograph can do more to help members of the media and musicians alike than a dozen album reviews. With competition for consumer attention rising, the music journalism community is in a unique position of influence. The tours and events they cover can make or break someone’s spending decision, and that responsibility is not to be taken lightly.
But there’s a catch.
Since the first post-pandemic shows were announced, messages have circulated on social media calling for an end to guest lists. For those unfamiliar, these lists are used by venues and artists to set aside tickets for select individuals to attend a performance without buying a ticket. Spots are typically reserved for family and friends of the artist or promoter and members of the industry at large.
Here’s an example of the messaging in question:
It seems clear that the message of this tweet is for people who do not have a legitimate reason to request guest list inclusion. Artists and promoters are trying to tell friends that they would prefer they buy a ticket. Honestly, it makes sense. Before the pandemic, an artist had no reason to believe that touring, the primary way most musicians make money, would come to a halt. Artists in 2021 know that live music can disappear anytime. There is no guarantee of another tour. Artists need people to buy tickets so that they can feed themselves and pay their bills. The same goes for promoters. People have spent the last year worrying about where the money would come from, and now they have an answer. Live music is back, which means making money is possible.
Regardless, certain members of the music journalism community have taken these comments personally. But as the old saying goes, “if you think it’s about you, then it probably is.”
We spoke to several publicists and promoters who confirm they have no plans to deny guestlist access to writers and photographers when live music returns. One professional, who is allowing us to use their quotes anonymously, went as far as to say that “concert coverage may be more important than ever this fall. Artists, especially smaller ones, are going to need all the attention their shows can get to move tickets.”
That said, we put together a few rules with the help of the industry at large that music journalists from all walks of life should adhere to as concerts return:
Always say please and thank you. That may seem obvious, but unless you are a significant publication with massive influence, granting you access to an artist and their performance is a gift.
Do not publicly attack artists, labels, promoters, or publicists if you do not receive access. Many factors go into media accreditation consideration. Keep working hard and, in time, you will get the access you seek.
Always deliver on your coverage promises. If you said you would write a review, then you better write something. If you said you wanted to take photographs, then you better publish a gallery. The publicists we spoke to say they will be more closely following the content created in return for guest list inclusion moving forward.
Don’t request access to anything you wouldn’t cover otherwise. If you write for a metal site, for example, then you shouldn’t be requesting access to the Jonas Brothers concert under the guise of being a music journalist.
In the event you are granted a plus one, use it to expand your coverage. Guestlist spots are limited, and they are not intended to help your friend or significant other access a show. It would be best to use additional guest list spots solely to ensure the best possible coverage—for example, a writer AND a photographer.
If you enjoy the artists performing, consider buying merchandise. Not only will this help the artist continue to pursue their career, but it’s also a show of support for both the artist and their team. It says that you are serious when you say you want the artist to succeed. Artists and publicists know that not every site has any significant level of influence, but when you vocally support musicians and buy their merchandise, it tells the industry that you are actively working to ensure musicians can continue creating the art they aspire to share with the world.
Don’t be a dick to security or venue staff for no reason. Treat everyone the way you wish to be treated.
Don’t post a photo of your press badge or photo pass on social media. It may seem harmless, but someone may steal that image in an attempt to infiltrate another gig or event in the future. At the very least, wait until the tour or event has ended before sharing your pass.
Respect any boundaries set by the artist or their team. If someone says they don’t want to discuss something or be photographed at a particular time, listen to them. No one wants gotcha journalism.
Send links to your coverage to the person who granted you access. Everyone in music is busy, but you can make someone’s job easier by sharing your contact with them rather than making them seek it out. That behavior will also help you develop stronger relationships with publicists, labels, etc.
Don’t fake it. Humans have a unique ability to detect when someone is lying or not presenting the entire truth. Don’t create content you don’t believe in or would not want to consume. Make what is authentic and meaningful to you, and everything else will fall in place.
There are probably 100 other things we could add, but this is enough for now. We’ll see you at the show!
The music industry is hoping for a busy fall tour season, but will concerts return before the leaves change?
Nearly fourteen months have passed since live music came to a halt seemingly overnight. As the battle against the global COVID-19 pandemic rages on, many are still wondering when concerts will return. Some states are testing the waters with socially distant outdoor events, while others are already welcoming full capacity crowds with few if any, COVID-related safety guidelines. Still, most places on Earth don’t have live music in any form, and no one really knows when that will change.
But the music industry is resilient. While theories and criticism abound, many are looking toward the future with full hearts and hopeful eyes. The demand for a return to normalcy is deafening, and many in the industry believe that live music can play a role in helping lure people out of their homes and back into social situations.
In this Music Biz update, host James Shotwell explores how a single announcement ushered in a lot of hope and anticipation for a busy 2021 concert season. He also looks at the potential drawbacks, hold-ups, and worries that come with change.
Speaking at a January conference held by the Association of Performing Arts Professionals, Dr. Anthony Fauci was asked about the potential for live entertainment to return in 2021:
“If everything goes right, this will occur sometime in the fall of 2021, so that by the time we get to the early to mid-fall, you can have people feeling safe performing onstage as well as people in the audience,” Fauci said, noting that the return depends upon getting between 70% to 85% of the population vaccinated, according to the New York Times. Along with the vaccination, Fauci said venues and theaters might need to take further safety precautions, particularly if they do not have adequate ventilation.”
Music Biz is brought to you by Haulix, the music industry’s leading promotional distribution platform. Start your one-month free trial today and gain instant access to the same promotional tools used by BMG, Concord, Rise Records, Pure Noise Records, and hundreds more. Visit http://haulix.com/signup for details.
Ten months after live music was silenced, a series of recent news updates paint an optimistic outlook for 2021.
Can you believe that nearly one-full year has passed since live music has filled venues worldwide? As record-setting case counts and deaths related to COVID-19 happen weekly, many people worry it may be a long time before their favorite artists can perform again. We worry about that too, but recent headlines have us thinking the return of concerts may be closer than you think. That is, as long as you’re flexible.
In the latest Music Biz News update, host James Shotwell looks at four recent news stories related to COVID-19 and live music’s return. He breaks down how each offers hope to music fans everywhere and urges patience with leaders who are doing their best to make vaccinations available to anyone.
Fauci comments on live music’s return.
Speaking at a January conference held by the Association of Performing Arts Professionals, Dr. Anthony Fauci was asked about the potential for live entertainment to return in 2021.
“If everything goes right, this will occur sometime in the fall of 2021, so that by the time we get to the early to mid-fall, you can have people feeling safe performing onstage as well as people in the audience,” Fauci said, noting that the return depends upon getting between 70% to 85% of the population vaccinated, according to the New York Times. Along with the vaccination, Fauci said venues and theaters might need to take further safety precautions, particularly if they do not have adequate ventilation.
Outdoor venues will return much sooner.
Live music promoters spent the majority of 2020 trying to find new ways to present live music that are both safe and financially sound. Several methods found success, including pod seating at outdoor venues and concerts held at drive-in theaters. These ideas will continue to be utilized in 2021, with The Caverns in Tennessee and Red Rocks in Colorado already rolling out massive performance schedules.
Miss festivals? Don’t worry; those are coming back (very) soon.
Moon Crush is a brand-new, first of its kind music festival taking place the final weekend in April. The multi-day, socially-distanced event will give fans of Sheryl Crow, Jason Isbell, and many more artists a chance to see those musicians live in an outdoor setting. Attendees will be staying near the ocean in Florida’s panhandle for the event’s duration, and many safety measures will be in place to prevent sickness. It’s a risky bet for some, but those itching for the festival experience can book their trip now.
Stylish masks are the future of concert fashion.
Razer has unveiled Project Hazel, a new take on N-95 masks that combine safety and comfort to reduce waste, protect people, and make it easier to communicate while adhering to COVID restrictions.
Music Biz is brought to you by Haulix, the music industry’s leading promotional distribution platform. Start your one-month free trial today and gain instant access to the same promotional tools used by BMG, Concord, Rise Records, Pure Noise Records, and hundreds more. Visit http://haulix.com/signup for details.
Performing online is now a part of the ‘new normal,’ so it’s time artists learn how to maximize their return on livestream performances.
The evolution of digital performances is happening faster than you may realize. In the six months since the COVID-19 pandemic canceled countless live events, artists have gone from Instagram performances to HD, multi-cam events that cost money to attend and include exclusive merchandise offerings. Artists all over the world are trying to bring the excitement of live events into the virtual space. That is creating a lot of great opportunities for musicians to make money while engaging with their audience.
But let’s get this out of the way: If you are a relatively new artist or group with very few fans, making money online is not your top priority. You should concern yourself with being seen and heard before you worry about income. Without a community around your music, it is incredibly difficult to earn revenue with your art. Engagement comes first. If you’re not at the point where you can get 100 people to engage with a piece of content, then don’t worry about money.
For everyone else, good news! There are a lot of ways to make money online with live performances, and many more are in development.
In this Music Biz update, host James Shotwell breaks down seven ways artists are earning money through livestream concerts. These efforts range from ticketed events and exclusive merch to partnerships with local promoters and recycling content for future promotional purposes. Check it out:
Want more industry news and tutorials? Visit out YouTube Channel.
The music industry is in dire straits (and we don’t mean the band). COVID-19 has brought countless hardships on artists and professionals alike, but worse things are on the horizon.
There was a time in mid-March when most people believed the fall of 2020 would be normal. The coronavirus, they thought, would be a thing we joked about by the time leaves began to change. Those people were wrong, and every day comes with new evidence that this pandemic will be with us for the foreseeable future.
Recent reports about the music business claim that 90% of all independently owned venues are in trouble. With no federal funding to help cover expenses while live music is on hold, many venues are bleeding cash as they attempt to cover fixed costs (such as rent) without revenue. Some establishments are already going under, like The Satellite in Los Angeles, and hundreds more are likely to follow if the pandemic stretches into September.
The importance of independent venues is impossible to overstate. Virtually all musicians rely on these performances spaces to build their audience as they rise through the industry ranks. Today’s stadium headliners were only club acts using independent venues to travel the country before everyone knew their name. Tomorrow’s big stars aspire to play these spaces in the coming years. Independent venues are, in many ways, the backbone of the entire music business.
NIVA, the National Independent Venue Association, has a solution to the current problem. The organization has launched a campaign called #SaveOurStages, which aims to convince legislators that live music deserves relief funding from the federal government. They are asking fans and artists around the world to join in their demands by filling out a simple form on their site: https://www.saveourstages.com/.
In the latest Music Biz, host James Shotwell breaks down the current situation, the potential outcomes, and why it matters that everyone does their part. You can play a role in shaping the future of music. Please help us out. We need you.
Arkansas’ Governor has issued a cease and desist order against TempleLive for their plans to host America’s first “socially distant” concert later this week.
Music publications around the world have spent the better part of two weeks covering an upcoming May 15 performance from Travis McCready. The Bishop Gunn frontman was set to headline the first “socially distant” concert in the United States at TempleLive, which was also going to serve as a testing ground for live music in the age of COVID-19. However, a last-minute intervention from the state’s governor has canceled the event.
Arkansas, like most US states, is still working to slow the spread of coronavirus through a statewide lockdown. The current restrictions on public activities expire May 18, which is three days after the McCready concert was set to happen. The staff at TempleLive was making efforts to make the show as safe as possible, including cutting capacity from 1800 to just 229. Still, Governor Hutchinson decided this week those efforts were not enough.
The proposed seating chart for the first “socially distant” concert, which was canceled earlier this week.
“You can’t just arbitrarily determine when the restrictions are lifted. That is something that is done based on a public health requirement,” said Hutchinson at a news conference, citing guidelines for venues that stipulated events of 50 people or more must be operating at less than 34 percent capacity and must have plans approved by the Department of Health. He added, “Clearly, it is three days before we determined it was an appropriate time to open up to a limited capacity in some of those informal venues, and even if you’re going to have 250 people at a venue, you still have to have a specific plan that would be approved by the Department of Health. None of that was done in this case.”
It’s surprising to see the decision to cancel the event happen so close to the show date. After all, the media has been covering the concert since early May. Those in a position to deny the event have no doubt been aware of its existence as long as the rest of us, if not longer.
TempleLive has not announced any additional concerts at this time, but the news of this cancelation is yet another example of our ‘new normal.’ As we covered in this week’s Music Biz 101, the live music business is going to be experimenting with events for the foreseeable future. Shows will happen, but what they look like, how they operate, and how often they occur will change frequently. Some states may allow concerts for a short while only to ban them again as COVID-19 infection rates vary. For now, the best thing any of us can do is be patient. Live music isn’t going away forever. We will sing and dance together again.
As the spread of coronavirus continues to prevent concerts, music professionals are scrambling to find creative ways to resurrect the live music experience.
Virtually nobody has been to a concert in over eight weeks. Think about that for a second. The last two months were probably the only time in the previous century when the vast majority of the world was unable to experience live music. The coronavirus has brought the concert industry to a standstill, and there is no vaccine in sight.
You may have read a few headlines regarding the future of live music. Some experts believe music festivals and arena shows won’t return until the summer of 2021, while others claim it could be 2022 before live music is back in full swing. No one knows what the future holds, but that isn’t stopping music professionals from all walks of life from finding creative short-term solutions to COVID-19’s stranglehold on live entertainment.
Starting this week in America, concerts will begin again. A venue in Arkansas will host one of the first “socially distanced” concerts on May 18, but the gig itself will not resemble any pre-COVID events. From temperature checks at the door to “fan pod” seating, dozens of new rules and regulations are being implemented to keep consumers and employees safe. Will these rules be the new normal? No one knows. Any performance right now is an experiment, and many more tests will follow as the world slowly begins to reopen.
In this episode of Music Biz, host James Shotwell explores the ongoing impact of coronavirus on live music. He explores emerging trends, newly implemented rules, and even the proposed ‘concert suits’ some professionals believe will become part of this ‘new normal’ we are coming to terms with as the pandemic carries on. It’s a lot of information to digest, but James does his best to keep things simple. Enjoy:
