The Live Music Industry Podcast #30 - Against All Odds: The Fight for Independent Venues
In this episode of The Live Music Industry Podcast, Matt Ford sits down with Stephen Parker, Executive Director of the National Independent Venue Association (NIVA), for an unfiltered look at the challenges, opportunities, and fight for fairness shaping the industry today.
From the results of the State of Live survey to candid conversations on venue survival, ticketing practices, and industry power imbalances, this episode offers a wide-ranging perspective on what independents are up against and where hope lies.
🎙️ Inside the episode:
- State of Live survey: Optimism, challenges, and the true economic weight of independent venues
- Venue profitability: Scale, competition, and what it takes to survive
- Ticketing controversy: Scalping, all-in pricing, and the imbalance of marketing power
- Industry giants under fire: The DOJ vs. Live Nation and what’s at stake
- The future: Determination, hope, and a path to a more sustainable independent scene
If you want an honest take on the fight for fairness in live music, this is the one to listen to.
Episode Timestamps:
State of Live Deep Dive (00:00:19): Discussion about the State of Live survey results, optimism, and challenges in the industry. Analysis of economic contributions of the live events industry, highlighting its impact on GDP.
Discussion on Venues and Profitability (00:09:43): Factors affecting profitability in the industry including venue scale, tax status, and competition.
Monopolistic Practices in the Industry (00:18:48): Exploration of marketing challenges and the impact of monopolistic practices by larger corporations.
Scalping and All-In-Ticketing (00:23:10): Discussion about the debate on scalping, and the role scalpers play in the ticketing world.
Monopoly Discussion +The DOJ Lawsuit Against Live Nation (00:29:00): Update and insights into the DOJ lawsuit against Live Nation and its significance.
- Conclusion and Closing Thoughts + An Optimistic Vision for the Future: (00:46:03) Summary and reflections on the podcast discussion, closing remarks.
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