Live Nation to no longer take a cut of merch sales, will give artists a stipend....
Posted by
Remlik (aka Remlik)
Sep 26 '23, 12:48
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Earlier this month, Jeff Rosenstock called out AEG and Live Nation-owned music venues for taking up to 25% of the sales of the merch he sold at his concerts. He said that following the pandemic, the companies “bought so many of the types of venues that we play, that dodging these super high cuts is nearly impossible.” Since Rosenstock tweeted about the practice, other artists like Tomberlin shared how the practice hurts their bottom line and that they have to sell merch at a higher price in order to make a profit.
Today (Sept. 26), Live Nation announced that it is changing its policy. In a new partnership with Willie Nelson, Live Nation announced it will no longer take a percentage of artist merch sales. The program, called On the Road Again, provides developing artists a $1,500 travel stipend per show. Headliners and openers are eligible to receive the stipend.
“Touring is important to artists so whatever we can do to help other artists, I think we should do it,” Nelson said in a statement on the program’s website. “This program will impact thousands of artists this year and help make touring a little bit easier.”
“Delivering for live artists is always our core mission,” Live Nation President and CEO Michael Rapino said in a statement of his own. “The live music industry is continuing to grow and as it does, we want to do everything we can to support artists at all levels on their touring journey especially the developing artists in clubs. Like Willie says, this is all about making it a little easier for thousands of artists to continue doing what they love: going out and playing for their fans.”
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