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Concerts

Where the music industry stands since the depths of the pandemic

by David Brancaccio and Alex Schroeder
Nov 1, 2023
It looks like live music shows are generating more revenue than before the pandemic. But the number of shows has fallen.
Music stars like Taylor Swift have benefitted from the "premium-ization" of live music shows. But for artists in the middle, rising prices for everything that goes into touring has made it harder.
Kevin Winter/TAS23/Getty Images for TAS Rights Management
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My Economy

Independent musician says the touring industry is a “rollercoaster”

by Richard Cunningham
Aug 8, 2023
Sarah King, an independent musician, is currently on tour. But the steps getting to this moment have been challenging.
Independent musician Sarah King is touring on her own, a more financially viable option than touring with a group.
Courtesy Arielle Thomas Photography
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Live shows are back. But the economics behind them aren't great.

by Justin Ho
Oct 28, 2022
Many musicians rely on touring for revenue. But they are facing inflation, supply chain problems and a lot of competition.
L7 performs in Los Angeles in January 2020. This year, the band is selling a pre-show experience to defray costs of the tour.
Phillip Faraone/Getty Images for The Art of Elysium
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Iowa concert venue operator persisted through pandemic with help of SBA and other allies

by Kai Ryssdal and Richard Cunningham
Feb 16, 2022
Tobi Parks' xBk was open only six months before the pandemic hit. A federal grant helped it weather COVID.
"I never considered shutting it down," said Tobi Parks of xBk. "And, you know, I was always confident and had the support of .... the team of allies."
Frazer Harrison/Getty Images
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Live music is coming back, but shows will look different

by Jasmine Garsd
Apr 26, 2021
Limited audience capacity and higher ticket prices are some of the changes concertgoers can expect this summer.
Bad Bunny on stage in Los Angeles in 2018. Presale ticket purchases for his 2022 tour set a record on Ticketmaster.
Kevin Winter/Getty Images
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COVID-19

Arts venues welcome COVID grant program to get through 2021

by Nancy Marshall-Genzer
Jan 22, 2021
Hard-hit venues such as concert halls and theaters are preparing to apply for $15 billion in grants included in the latest relief bill.
Between April and July last year, the fine- and performing-arts industries lost about $42 billion in revenue, according to one estimate.
Spencer Platt/Getty Images
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COVID-19

Musicians adapt with live tours still canceled

by Jasmine Garsd
Oct 21, 2020
The bars where lots of bands played have limited capacity, if they’re open at all.
A still from René Kladzyk's music video for her song "True Romantic," released in August.
Ralph Diaz
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COVID-19

Here’s what to read and stream for free during the COVID-19 pandemic

by Janet Nguyen
Mar 20, 2020
More and more organizations are starting to make their content accessible to the public.
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Ed Sheeran is about to pull off the highest-grossing concert tour of all time

by Kai Ryssdal and Sean McHenry
Jul 3, 2019
More than Taylor Swift. More than Beyoncé. Sheeran's winning formula comes down — in part — to volume.
Ed Sheeran performs at Mt. Smart Stadium in 2018 in Auckland, New Zealand.
Phil Walter/Getty Images
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Why rock is still king on the concert circuit

by Kai Ryssdal
Oct 10, 2018
Hip-hop/R&B is America's most popular genre, according to Nielsen, but rock concerts still rake in revenue.
Sean Gallup/Getty Images
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