When Live Nation announced the Willie Nelson-inspired On the Road Again program yesterday, it felt like touring musicians could finally breathe a small sigh of relief. It wasn't much, but it was significant: no more much-decried merch cuts at venues owned and operated by the world's biggest promoter, and $1,500 for each artist on the bill of every show to put toward gas and other travel expenses.
What the initial excitement of the long-overdue help let slip through the cracks, however, was what this means for independent venues. The National Independent Association (NIVA) — a New York-based organization of venues, independent promoters and festivals — has issued a statement on Live Nation's new program, calling it a "calculated attempt" to "squeeze out small venues."
"Temporary measures may appear to help artists in the short run but actually can squeeze out independent venues which provide the lifeblood of many artists on thin margins," the statement reads. "Independent venues and promoters are investing in and elevating up-and-coming artists every day, and NIVA is supporting those efforts nationally. The initiative announced yesterday may seem like a move to follow the lead of some independent venues. It is not that."
It continues, "Instead, it appears to be a calculated attempt to use a publicly-traded conglomerate's immeasurable resources to divert artists from independent venues and further consolidate control over the live entertainment sector. Such tactics threaten the vitality of small and medium-sized venues under 3,000 capacity, many of which still struggle to keep their doors open."
NIVA went on to note that independent stages that are small businesses and nonprofits are where the majority of touring artists and comedians start their careers, reiterating that many were struggling to stay afloat prior to the pandemic (due to rent prices, redevelopment, noise complaints, municipal regulations and more) and are now even worse off.
"The economics of touring must drastically improve for artists and independent venues," they added. "There has to be a better way."
What the initial excitement of the long-overdue help let slip through the cracks, however, was what this means for independent venues. The National Independent Association (NIVA) — a New York-based organization of venues, independent promoters and festivals — has issued a statement on Live Nation's new program, calling it a "calculated attempt" to "squeeze out small venues."
"Temporary measures may appear to help artists in the short run but actually can squeeze out independent venues which provide the lifeblood of many artists on thin margins," the statement reads. "Independent venues and promoters are investing in and elevating up-and-coming artists every day, and NIVA is supporting those efforts nationally. The initiative announced yesterday may seem like a move to follow the lead of some independent venues. It is not that."
It continues, "Instead, it appears to be a calculated attempt to use a publicly-traded conglomerate's immeasurable resources to divert artists from independent venues and further consolidate control over the live entertainment sector. Such tactics threaten the vitality of small and medium-sized venues under 3,000 capacity, many of which still struggle to keep their doors open."
NIVA went on to note that independent stages that are small businesses and nonprofits are where the majority of touring artists and comedians start their careers, reiterating that many were struggling to stay afloat prior to the pandemic (due to rent prices, redevelopment, noise complaints, municipal regulations and more) and are now even worse off.
"The economics of touring must drastically improve for artists and independent venues," they added. "There has to be a better way."