ABSTRACT
The live music business revolves around the artists – the singers, musicians, bands, groups, turntablists, and DJs who present their music in the concert, festival, and night club setting. The perceived impact of performing live has shifted from “proving ability” (“they put on a good show”) to providing a revenue stream. At the same time, artists and their managers view the ability to sell tickets as an indicator of the connection between the artist and the fans, beyond clicks and likes on social media.
You will see in this chapter how the setting for live performances changes during the various stages of an artist’s career. Small showcase gigs or livestreams will attract tastemakers and fans in the first year. Larger, ticketed concerts will provide some income in years two and three. More importantly, these shows pave the way to festival appearances. The festival appearances then lead to the all-important domestic “headline tour” at the end of year three. The artist has established their fan base in their home country and can then move on to international success.
