Live Nation, a concert giant, has announced that its US clubs will no longer take a percentage of artists’ merchandise sales at live shows. This move is part of the “On the Road Again” program, which aims to support developing artists and crew at the club level. The program also includes paying acts playing at participating clubs an extra $1,500 per show to cover travel expenses. Live Nation hopes that by alleviating these core expenses, artists can continue performing for their fans in more cities across the country.
In addition to supporting artists, Live Nation is also providing financial bonuses to local promoters, tour reps, and venue crew members who have worked over 500 hours in 2023. Furthermore, the On the Road Again program is donating $5 million to Live Nation’s Crew Nation relief fund, which supports crew members facing unforeseen hardship. Through these initiatives, Live Nation expects to deliver tens of millions of dollars in extra earnings to club artists and crew by the end of the year.
Live Nation’s decision to stop taking a cut of merchandise sales comes as the company has seen booming revenues, with its revenue growing by 27% YoY to USD $5.6 billion. Revenues from its concerts division, ticketing, and sponsorships also experienced significant growth. The move to support artists and their crews aligns with Live Nation’s core mission of delivering for live artists and making it easier for thousands of artists to continue doing what they love.