#Music business

[voxina]

[X]

[dreamings-free]

It's not just the Black Keys. Why are so many big tours selling poorly? Stereogum | June 11, 2024 | by Zach Schonfeld

long (and US focused) but still quite interesting article on the current state of concert touring, why tours are getting cancelled or downsized, and what's up with ticket pricing. (my selected excerpts/highlights under the cut)

[excerpt, all highlights mine]

[Eric Renner Brown, a senior editor at Billboard] adds, “I do think [The Black Keys] are an artist that can fill those rooms still. I think the demand is there in terms of people who want to see Black Keys. But perhaps at that price point, the demand was not there.”

Ostensibly, agents and promoters should have access to data that can give them a better sense of demand. But they often place outsized importance on raw streaming numbers.

“The data is very confusing,” says the anonymous booking agent. “There’s a lot of passive listeners for data. You can have millions upon millions of streams, but that doesn’t mean it’s gonna turn into tickets. The opposite is, there are some artists who don’t have many streams at all and they can sell like 2,000, 3,000 tickets.”

[..]

It’s worth noting that the Black Keys have released four albums since returning from hiatus in 2019, and toured arenas as recently as 2022. This may be a case of oversaturating the market.

The band’s 2019 and 2022 arena runs weren’t exactly sold out. In between, the band left their longtime manager in 2021, signing with Irving Azoff and Steve Moir at Full Stop Management. Some sources speculate that Azoff, a former CEO of Ticketmaster, may have encouraged ambitious touring plans. On Thursday, Billboard reported that the group has now parted ways with Azoff and Moir. (The management company did not respond to a request for comment.)

“Essentially, you have some very big managers that are out of touch with the granular finesse and nuance of ticketing,” says another anonymous booking agent. “And they have these large expectations and they tell their agents what they want. And the agents are probably texting each other on the side, going, ‘This man is out of his fucking mind.’ But they do it anyway because, in the case of Black Keys, they’re not gonna challenge Irving Azoff.”

[..]

One contributing factor to instability in the touring industry is the rising cost of… well, everything. It’s part of why ticket prices are so high; it’s also part of the reason some acts are backing out of touring commitments.

Bands at all levels have been sounding the alarm about this for years. In 2022, for instance, Animal Collective canceled European tour dates and explained, “We simply could not make a budget for this tour that did not lose money even if everything went as well as it could.”

Industry insiders say that’s not uncommon. “Everything is ridiculously expensive,” says a tour manager who works with major acts and asked not to be named. “There’s not enough gear for everyone to share, so the vendors are having to pay high amounts for equipment. A single bus for a six-week tour can cost $100,000. Multiple that by multiple buses, and then trucks, and then crews are at a minimum, so they’re getting top rate right now because there’s not enough crews.”

COVID, of course, exacerbated this crunch. “What happened after the pandemic is, everyone was ready to tour at once,” the tour manager says. “There’s not enough gear to cover all of that. A lot of bands have had to cancel tours because they don’t have gear or they couldn’t afford the gear,” the tour manager continued. “I was on a tour with somebody last year where we had to book a private jet because there were no buses available. For the first week of the tour, we had to charter planes.”

Acts are thus incentivized to book bigger venues to recoup the costs of touring. The catch-22 is that bigger venues necessitate more elaborate stage production, which makes for a more expensive tour.

“There’s the expectation to have that production,” says the tour manager. “If people went back to having just two trusses of lights and a P.A. and no frills, it was just about the music, they can afford to tour. But everyone wants to see those flashing lights. Everyone wants to see that video.”

“So much of the economics of these big tours is completely invisible to fans and consumers,” says Kevin Erickson, director of Future of Music Coalition, a nonprofit advocacy group. “You can sell out a tour and come back in the red if there was a cost overrun or a miscalculation.”

For mid-level acts with sizable followings, these frustrations are compounded by a lack of suitable mid-sized venues.

“For a band that maybe has assessed its demand in the market to be in the 8K range or something for capacity, where are they going to go if that sort of venue doesn’t exist?” says Brown. “And if, say, the local theater that seats 3K or 4K can’t accommodate two or three nights, it can only put them for one night on the tour routing. That’s a real concern.”

[..]

At the end of the day, it all comes back to price. The average ticket price for one of the top 100 tours rose from $91.86 to $122.84 between 2019 and 2023. Concerts are too damn expensive, and there’s a growing sense of consumer frustration with shows that cost as much as airline tickets.

-> read the full article here on Stereogum.com

[twopoppies]

https://www.tumblr.com/twopoppies/762188095662735360/wow-looks-like-irving-just-made-himself-a-boat

i don’t understand any of this stuff, but i thought harry was the owner of his music? with erskine and all that. is it the distribution rights that were sold? sorry, i’m dumb when it comes to this

These questions are in reference to this anon I got last night:

As far as I understand (and please someone correct me if I’m wrong or left something out), GMR is a Performance Rights Organization (PRO) like ASCAP, SEASAC, or BMI.

What is a PRO?

The way people and businesses play, purchase, listen to, and consume music has changed drastically in recent times. Revenues related to purchases of physical media and downloads are fading. Now, the attention is turning more than ever towards other sources of royalty revenues, such as performance rights. PROs play a major role collecting these rights and they monitor the compliance of businesses playing music in public.

PROs are in charge of administering the rights of songwriters and publishers. These duties include the collection and distribution of royalties on their behalf. It would be practically impossible for these creators to pick up their royalties one by one. There are too many instances, from digital platforms to physical venues, in which where their rights are being used. This network of agencies work to make sure that people pay all the royalties. In order to do this, they have close contact with different music platforms and checking physical locations, to collect and distribute them on the creators behalf.

x

From what I understand, Azoff’s stated intention in forming this group was to make sure artists were paid their fare share of royalties, given that the rules hadn’t been updated to take into account the current ways people consume music.

From GMR’s website:

x

Basically, any business that uses music (or portions of music) in a public way must pay to license that music from GMR (or any of the other three PROs).

Who needs to buy a license?

So, if you have a restaurant that plays music in the background, if you use music when people are out on hold when they call your business, if you have a store that plays music while people shop… you have to have a license so that the artists/songwriters are paid each time their work is used.

More details here x

Are there any exceptions? Yes.

The only exception is for broadcast radio and tv in businesses under 2000 square feet (3750 square feet for restaurants). Note: this rule applies only to “over-the-air” broadcasts, not internet streams or any other source of music. You’ll also be playing any DJ banter, unfiltered lyrics, and commercials for your competitors. Plus, there may be additional fees based on your type of establishment. For example, if you own a restaurant or bar that features live music, if there is a fee for entering your establishment, or if there is a physical activity coordinated with the music (such as public skating or dancing).

x

What is UMPG?

UMPG is an enormous music publishing company that offers a variety of different services. These range from administration services to creative services and much more.

They offer their services to companies including Universal Pictures, Warner Bros. Pictures, Lionsgate, MGM, Paramount, Disney Europe (and other territories), Viacom, Amazon, HBO, DreamWorks, DreamWorks Animation, Legendary Pictures, Mar Vista Entertainment, NBC and Sesame Workshop, among many others.

Universal Music Publishing Group’s Film & TV Department creates opportunities for and licenses their catalog of songs to film, television, advertising, computer games, and stage production. This is often referred to as ‘synchronization’.

x

UMPG focuses on traditional music publishing, licensing songs for use in film, TV, commercials, and more, and handling royalties for its songwriters. GMR focuses on managing public performance rights for a select group of high-profile artists. It offers more personalized and tailored services but is invitation-only, making it more selective and exclusive than UMPG.

Harry seems to have his music listed with both companies, as they handle different aspects of royalties.

TL;DR As far as I can tell (and I'm far from an expert), this all boils down to:

Erskine Records is primarily concerned with the release and distribution of Harry's music, partnering with Sony for wider reach. This covers the production, distribution, and promotion aspects of his music.

UMPG (Universal Music Publishing Group) manages his publishing rights. They handle songwriting royalties, licensing his music for use in films, TV, commercials, and other media, and collecting royalties when his songs are performed, played on the radio, or streamed online​.

GMR (Global Music Rights) deals with performance rights. They ensure that when Styles' music is publicly performed (e.g., at concerts, in public spaces, etc., as explained above), the proper royalties are collected and distributed to him​.

Additionally, we don't know how much of the GMR catalog has been sold. Nor do we know what the private equity firm plans to do with what it's bought. From the bit of research I've done, it seems that there is a move toward selling catalogs to private equity firms. For those firms, owning these rights is about more than passive income—it's about actively enhancing the value of the music through aggressive licensing, smarter technology, and even repackaging or reselling portions of the catalog for a higher return​.

More info on that here and here

That's the best I can offer for now.

[daisiesonafield-blog]

Harry’s is the 3rd most popular merch in the world and The number 1 most popular in Europe.

Louis’ is the most popular merch in Italy.

Read the full article here

[sunshinesmebdy]

From Pennies to Progress: How Pluto in Aquarius is Shaping the Music Industry with the Living Wage for Musicians Act

A recent bill introduced in Congress, the Living Wage for Musicians Act, is shaking things up in the music industry. But this isn’t just about fairer pay for artists — it’s a potent symbol of the astrological shift we’re currently experiencing with Pluto in Aquarius.

For those astrologically inclined, Pluto — the planet of transformation and revolution — has been transiting Aquarius, the sign of innovation and community, since 2023. This transit signifies a period of deep change for social structures, particularly those that have become outdated and inequitable.

The music industry is a prime example. Streaming services have revolutionized music consumption, but for many musicians, it’s a race to the bottom. Current royalty rates mean it takes millions of streams to earn a meager living. The Living Wage for Musicians Act proposes a minimum payout of one cent per stream, a significant increase that would offer a crucial lifeline to countless artists.

This act embodies the Aquarian spirit of progress. It challenges the status quo, prioritizing fairness and collective well-being over the profit margins of a few. This aligns perfectly with Pluto’s transformative power. The current system, where a select few reap the rewards while the creators struggle, is being dismantled.

Here’s how the Living Wage for Musicians Act reflects the influence of Pluto in Aquarius:

Strength in Numbers: How Aquarius Fuels the Collective Action Behind the Living Wage for Musicians Act

The Living Wage for Musicians Act isn’t just about a single politician championing a cause. It’s a powerful symbol of collective action, a concept deeply rooted in the astrological sign of Aquarius. Aquarius, with its emphasis on community, progress, and social change, thrives on collaboration and working towards a common goal. This collective spirit is precisely what’s driving the Act forward.

Here’s how the Aquarian influence manifests in the fight for fairer pay for musicians:

Uniting Diverse Voices: Aquarius transcends individual differences. The Act isn’t just about musicians; it’s a collaborative effort. Legislators, artist unions, and individual musicians have come together, recognizing their shared interest in fair compensation. This united front increases the Act’s visibility and strengthens its impact.

Community Power: Aquarius celebrates the collective. The Act isn’t a top-down decree. It’s a grassroots movement fueled by the collective power of the music community. Musicians are using their voices and platforms to raise awareness, garnering public support for the cause. This community power is a potent force that legislators can’t ignore.

Progress for All: Aquarius is a humanitarian sign. The Act isn’t just about individual gain; it’s about creating a fairer music industry for everyone. By securing a living wage, musicians can focus on creating art without financial anxieties. This ultimately benefits music fans who get to enjoy a richer and more diverse musical landscape.

The Aquarian spirit that encourages collaboration, community building, and social progress is what’s propelling this Act forward. With musicians, unions, and legislators working together, the fight for fair pay becomes a powerful force for positive change in the music industry.

Reimagining the Model: How Aquarius Embraces Tech to Drive Fair Pay in the Living Wage for Musicians Act

The rise of streaming services revolutionized music consumption, but for many musicians, it’s been a double-edged sword. While their music reaches a wider audience, current royalty rates make it nearly impossible to earn a living wage solely through streaming. The Living Wage for Musicians Act acknowledges this reality and embraces the power of technological innovation, another hallmark of Aquarius. This astrological sign thrives on progress and isn’t afraid to challenge the status quo. The Act leverages existing technology to create a new, more equitable compensation model for the digital age.

Here’s how the Act embodies the Aquarian spirit of technological innovation:

Adapting to Change: Aquarius is all about embracing the future. The Act recognizes that streaming is the dominant form of music consumption and doesn’t try to fight a losing battle. Instead, it proposes a solution that works within the existing technological framework.

Harnessing Existing Tech: Aquarius encourages using technology for good. The Act doesn’t require complex new systems. It proposes a tweak to the existing streaming model — a higher per-stream payout — that leverages the same technology platforms musicians already use

Building a New Future: Aquarius is a visionary sign. The Act isn’t just a temporary fix. It aims to create a sustainable model for artist compensation in the digital age. By ensuring musicians earn a living wage through streaming, the Act paves the way for a more vibrant and equitable music industry for years to come.

The Living Wage for Musicians Act isn’t a rejection of technology. It’s a testament to the Aquarian spirit of embracing innovation to solve problems and create a better future. By leveraging existing technology in a new way, the Act proposes a solution that’s both practical and forward-thinking. This innovative approach could revolutionize the way artists are compensated in the digital age, ensuring that music continues to thrive.

Challenging Power Structures: Pluto dismantles what’s no longer working. The Act challenges the current power dynamic in the music industry, pushing for a fairer distribution of wealth.

Disrupting the Status Quo: How Pluto in Aquarius Fuels the Fight for Fair Pay in the Music Industry

This isn’t just about raising artist compensation; it’s a challenge to the very foundation of the music industry. This audacious spirit aligns perfectly with the astrological influence of Pluto in Aquarius. Pluto, the planet of transformation and revolution, is currently transiting Aquarius, the sign of innovation and social justice. Together, they create a potent force for dismantling outdated systems and demanding a more equitable distribution of wealth.

Here’s how the Act embodies the transformative power of Pluto in Aquarius:

Shifting the Balance of Power: Aquarius seeks equality, and Pluto dismantles what no longer works. The Act challenges the current power dynamic in the music industry, where a select few streaming platforms and record labels hold immense power over artists’ livelihoods. By demanding a fairer share of revenue, the Act aims to redistribute wealth and give artists more control over their careers.

Exposing Inequalities: Pluto shines a light on hidden truths. The Act exposes the current royalty system’s unfairness, highlighting the disparity between the massive profits generated by streaming services and the meager payouts received by artists. This awareness is crucial for building public support and pressuring the industry to make a change.

Building a New Paradigm: Aquarius envisions a better future. The Act isn’t just about fixing a broken system; it’s about creating a new model for artist compensation in the digital age. By establishing a living wage for musicians, the Act paves the way for a more sustainable and equitable music industry where artists are valued for their contributions.

The Living Wage for Musicians Act isn’t a small-scale reform. It’s a direct challenge to the status quo, fueled by the transformative power of Pluto in Aquarius. By dismantling the existing power structures and demanding fairer pay for artists, the Act paves the way for a more just and sustainable music industry for everyone involved. This fight isn’t just about musicians; it’s a symbol of a larger societal shift towards a more equitable distribution of wealth and power.

While the artistic fire burns bright within creatives, neglecting the business side of things can leave them vulnerable. The music industry, for example, is full of cautionary tales of talented artists who are financially exploited simply because they lacked the knowledge to negotiate fair deals or manage their finances effectively. Building a strong business foundation doesn’t diminish the creative spirit; instead, it empowers it. By understanding basic business concepts like marketing, budgeting, and intellectual property rights, creatives can take control of their careers, secure fair compensation for their work, and ensure their artistic endeavors have a sustainable future. This allows them to focus their energy on what they do best — creating — without the constant worry of financial instability. In essence, a strong business foundation becomes the essential toolbelt that allows creatives to translate their artistic vision into a thriving and sustainable career.

This act is just one example of how Pluto in Aquarius is playing out. As this transit continues, expect to see more social and economic reforms that prioritize equality and innovation. Whether you’re a music lover or an astrology buff, this is a fascinating time to witness a transformation that could reshape the way artists are valued and compensated.

[zelinator]

Helpful tip for musicians! Reblog if you agree, smash that like button subscribe to my patreon and business coaching program and you too can achieve the same level of social media brainrot that I obviously have

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[hellpuppetswithfleshymembers]

[voxina]

[full interview here]

[dreamings-free]

Niall Horan’s crew reflect on The Show: Live on Tour

The singer-songwriter makes a triumphant return to live performances with a tour to celebrate his recent album, The Show. TPi goes behind the scenes at Manchester’s Co-Op Live to delve into the intricacies of the production…

TPi Magazine | Production profiles | 8 November 2024

The last time TPi covered a Niall Horan show, the world was in the throes of a global lockdown, which meant that going to gigs was an experience we could only reminisce on. Back then, the singer-songwriter and his crew had decided to support the wider live events workforce by staging a live stream that fundraised for WE NEED CREW [see TPi #257]. Almost three years later and with the industry back to full strength, descending on Manchester’s Co-Op Live to witness a full-capacity show with all the bells and whistles felt like a full-circle moment.

With the tour 73 dates into its 87-show run, Production Manager Andy Colby ruminated on the tour as it approached its curtain call. “It’s been a busy year. The guys and the girls on this tour have been amazing. It’s been a long slog, but everyone has really pulled together, and it’s been a great tour,” he began, reserving special praise for Stage Manager, Torin Arnold. “He, like all the crew, has worked so hard across this tour, and we’ve been lucky to have him.”

…

[ I will add the full article here later. in the meantime please read at tpimagazine.com ]

[cuethetommo]

This video from Justin Tranter who is explaining how songwriters make money from radio plays vs streaming.

Justin Tranter is a queer songwriter and producer who now owns his own label. He’s written some super successful hits and most recently wrote Chappell Roan’s Good Luck, Babe.

For folks interested in how streaming has changed the financial game for musicians, his TikTok really informative. This video is one of a series where he’s breaking these ideas down.

I mention because One Direction was really only at the tail end of streaming before hiatus.

[daisiesonafield-blog]

Link

[teledyn]

Subvert — The Collectively Owned Music Marketplace

“Artists and labels have succumbed to a hopelessness in the clenches of tech’s strong-arm. Subvert is a step forward to fight this default.”

[aeolianblues]

god, so there was this A&R man who was reportedly uninterested in Muse and Coldplay back in the day and heard their demos and was apparently like ‘fuck off, we don’t need another Radiohead (I am so smart)’ and also later on said he thought Mogwai were gonna be the biggest band on the planet. (He ‘regrets’ not signing them for money reasons, but I don’t think he enjoys listening to either particularly even today.) Don’t get me wrong, I have a lot of love in my heart for Mr. Stuart Braithwaite, but you just KNOW that A&R fella was gonna be the most insufferable man you’d have spent 4 minutes with. How the fuck did you even become A&R if your taste in music is that narrow, also.