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Why are Americans splurging on live music?

Nov 12, 2024
Concert promoter Live Nation told investors it had its most active summer season ever, with profits from its concert division up 39% year over year.
Live music is a bigger part of our lives, and Americans "are now in a different mindset of prioritizing our spending," says Serona Elton of the University of Miami. Above, Bad Bunny performs in Atlanta.
Paras Griffin/Getty Images

Facial recognition now part of being a fan at many stadiums

Oct 23, 2024
For some would-be concertgoers, the technology is a dealbreaker. But others enjoy the convenience and don't worry about privacy risks.
Concertgoers gather to see Usher perform at the Intuit Dome near Los Angeles. The venue collects data on patrons via an app and face-rec tech.
Megan Jamerson/KCRW

What incentive does Oasis have to get back together now?

Aug 28, 2024
Oasis, and concert promoters, know that those Gen X and millennial fans have real money now.
Today is gonna be the day that they [Oasis] are gonna throw it back to you [Gen Xers and millennials looking for a reunion tour].
Paul Elis/AFP via Getty Images

Live music is taking center stage in India

May 1, 2024
Despite its size and young population, India is often left out when major international music artists tour. But there are hopes that investment in better venues and transportation, and tax cuts for cheap tickets, will attract stars and music fans alike.
Irish pop band Westlife performs in Mumbai in November 2023.
Sujit Jaiswal/AFP via Getty Images

ABBA's Voyage concert series is making London "Money, Money, Money"

Dec 29, 2023
ABBA's avatar-based concert series has generated more than $400 million for London's local economy.
ABBA band members Benny Andersson, Agnetha Faltskog, Anni-Frid Lyngstad and Björn Ulvaeus attend the World Premiere of "ABBA Voyage" in London in May 2022.
David M. Benett/Getty Images

Where the music industry stands since the depths of the pandemic

It looks like live music shows are generating more revenue than before the pandemic. But the number of shows has fallen.
Music stars like Taylor Swift have benefitted from the "premium-ization" of live music shows. But for artists in the middle, rising prices for everything that goes into touring has made it harder.
Kevin Winter/TAS23/Getty Images for TAS Rights Management

Independent musician says the touring industry is a “rollercoaster”

Aug 8, 2023
Sarah King, an independent musician, is currently on tour. But the steps getting to this moment have been challenging.
Independent musician Sarah King is touring on her own, a more financially viable option than touring with a group.
Courtesy Arielle Thomas Photography

For public good, not for profit.

Live shows are back. But the economics behind them aren't great.

Oct 28, 2022
Many musicians rely on touring for revenue. But they are facing inflation, supply chain problems and a lot of competition.
L7 performs in Los Angeles in January 2020. This year, the band is selling a pre-show experience to defray costs of the tour.
Phillip Faraone/Getty Images for The Art of Elysium

Iowa concert venue operator persisted through pandemic with help of SBA and other allies

Feb 16, 2022
Tobi Parks' xBk was open only six months before the pandemic hit. A federal grant helped it weather COVID.
"I never considered shutting it down," said Tobi Parks of xBk. "And, you know, I was always confident and had the support of .... the team of allies."
Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

Live music is coming back, but shows will look different

Apr 26, 2021
Limited audience capacity and higher ticket prices are some of the changes concertgoers can expect this summer.
Bad Bunny on stage in Los Angeles in 2018. Presale ticket purchases for his 2022 tour set a record on Ticketmaster.
Kevin Winter/Getty Images