Part 5: Live Music
Chapter 17
Start Thinking... Does venue size affect promoter responsibilities? Which provides the bigger revenue, concert performances or merchandising?
Chapter Goals Gain an understanding of venue contracts and performance rights responsibilities Learn how ticketing works Discover the role merchandising plays at live concerts
Venue Contracts Venue operators take a hard line in negotiations due to lack of clout post-event Venues offer a limited spectrum of stage-related equipment and staff-supplied technical service it is difficult to fulfill all equipment requests portable on-stage equipment can get damaged or disappear Venue fees: fixed price rentals, percentage of box office, or a combination Contracts demand an artist cannot play near the hosting facility for a specified time period
Venue Contracts Performance Rights in Concerts A public performance of a copyrighted song triggers a fee usually collected by a PRO Venues are responsible for securing the performance rights license The promoter and not the venue may be responsible for paying the PRO The fee is typically a small slice of gross ticket revenue the fee is due even if the performing artist is the sole composer of the performed works
Seven Types of Concert Venues [insert Table 17.1]
Ticketing Purchasing fans typically purchase tickets online ticket prices vary based on several factors fan customs vary by city Terms deadwood paper the house scale the house Secondary markets
Licensed Music Merchandise Innovations more than T-shirts + posters now leading fashion brands + fragrances Merchandise contracts royalties 360 deals If an advance was paid, the artist doesn’t get further pay until royalties exceed the upfront pay Artist merchandise at concerts
Venue Trade Association International Association of Venue Managers helps industry professionals navigate the venue field
For Further Thought... What are the advantages and disadvantages of securing a larger or smaller venue? Should artists handle their own merch, cutting out the middleman? Why?