The Daily Swarm

Over on the Crewcial message boards, Philadelphia’s mainstay “Do It Yourself” show promoter Sean Agnew gave voice to an argument he’s been making most of the year— that the live music touring circuit may not be the savior of the music business as many are hoping for (and basing their new business models on). From the thread entitled Your Band May Be Already This Fucked – Live Music Fall ‘07:

So talking to a bunch of other promoters in the North East – many clubs and venues are having their WORST season ever. Loosing thousands and thousands of dollars every night.

Why ?

Well in short because of MP3s. No one buys records anymore, so bands now make the majority of their income on live shows (and a little bit in licensing and a tiny amount from their actual record). Because the bands make so much of their money on the road – they “stay” on the road much longer than what bands have previously done.

Labels/Managers are pushing their bands to now complete full tours 3–4 times a year. So basically once a season. On top of that perception of a bands popularity is no longer determined by records sales but by what sized venues you are playing.

So now agents and bands are pushing bands to bigger and larger sized venues. Ticket prices go up (because larger rooms are more expensive) – fans feel less of a connection and become alienated much quicker. Especially when bands are playing rooms that are only 1/4 full….

Topping it off – bands are now getting paid MORE than ever before (again because it’s their only source of income) which means promoters are loosing lots more money than they ever had before. This means they are now going to book less shows, which then creates a less active “local scene”

Bands are now also competing for the exact same fans/dollar. What seems to be happening is that people pick and choose their shows way in advance (buying a ticket) and sticking to those 1–2 shows a month. “Walk Up” (when people pay for a ticket at the door on the day of the show) has virtually been eliminated. Because of the insane amount of bands and shows – the fan base gets spread so thin that no one does well. Check out who is playing Philadelphia JUST FOR THIS WEEK :

High On Fire, Mono, Voxtrot, 1990s, Caribou, Minus The Bear, Klaxons, !!!, Sunset Rubdown, Architecture In Helsinki, Lo Fi Fnk, Of Montreal, Earlimart, Jay Reatard, Grizzly Bear, The Pipettes, Black Mountain, Nadar Surf, The Field, Digitalism, Hot Hot Heat, Circa Survive

This is all leading to promoters NOT wanting to host as many shows, creating for an even more competitive environment between bands.

In the end it might be a good thing – as less people will rely on performing music as their main source of income. Maybe bands will start to relook at those early 90s “indie ethics” ? Who knows – but shit is way fucked because everyone and their mother are now rushing in trying to make money off “touring”