Tyler Walsh’s Post

Live Nation Entertainment has hailed 2023 as its “biggest year ever” for live music in its financial results. Its concert attendance was up 20% year-on-year as more than 145 million fans attended over 50k events. That pushed the company’s annual revenues up 36% to $22.7bn, and an operating profit of $1.07bn. “The live music industry reached new heights in 2023, and demand for live music continues to build. Our digital world empowers artists to develop global followings, while inspiring fans to crave in-person experiences more than ever,” was how president and CEO Michael Rapino summarised the trends. The results also shone a spotlight on Live Nation’s ‘show pipeline’ for large venues (that’s stadiums, arenas and amphitheatres) saying that it has 65% of the full year booked, compared to around 50% this time last year. Read The Full Story Here: https://lnkd.in/ew9TEDES #LiveNation #RecordBreaking #LiveMusicRevival #musically #musicnews #readmore

The average American attends 3.2 concerts annually. But then there are those fans who go to dozens – and sometimes hundreds – of shows a year. One doesn't need to be a Swiftie or Phishhead to be a #superfan. There are millions of 'live music' superfans out there. As the industry focuses on deeply engaging superfans and monetizing their enthusiasm, Live Nation Entertainment is doubling down on these fans. This year the company plans to invest up to $150 million in "several projects...such as VIP clubs, viewing decks, rock boxes and new bar designs." If live music superfans are chasing richer experiences at every show, Live Nation seems to be willing to provide it. #livemusic #concerts #festivals #fans

Live Nation, one of the music industry's top event providers and ticketing services, has their sights set high for 2024, with increasing their margins and investing highly into the "superfan," betting that they will pay more money for more exclusive offers at shows and events. This article from Billboard captures their premise and how they are aiming to grow their already high profits from 2023 throughout the new year. This begs the question, what does this mean for the average concert-goer, those working in the venues, or the artists themselves? David Philp #musicbusiness #music #livenation #billboard

Ariana Grande x WEVERSE - WEVERSE is the primary fan engagement tool for K-pop artists, with nearly 10 million monthly active users. - Superfans represent only 18% of the total U.S. market, but they spend 68% more on music and 126% more on merchandise than the average consumer. - WEVERSE is expanding its North American presence through a 10-year partnership with Universal Music Group. WEVERSE is developing multiple revenue models, including e-commerce, live streaming, and one-to-one messaging. - WEVERSE posted a $5.8 million loss in 2023 but is aiming to improve profitability by transitioning to new business models. It focuses on signing artists from North America and Latin America, with an emphasis on Gen Z artists. 🧑💻 I have a few questions: 1) How will K-pop-style fan services impact the North American music market? 2) How could fan platforms like WEVERSE change the revenue structure of the music industry? 3) What are some of the challenges artists may face when engaging with fans through platforms like WEVERSE? https://lnkd.in/g4h8nCng

I've been in awe of K-pop's ability to create superfans through their innovative use of social media, interactive fan engagements, and personalized content. It's truly astonishing. And I thought that US artists would eventually adopt these K-pop marketing strategies. Artists should definitely tread carefully on a platforms like Weverse because fans are never satiated. Letting go of carefully curated images could be a double-edged sword for the artist. And as artists become increasingly popular, they will need a scalable support system. (Although, I suppose this is true regardless of how they arrive at fame.) With the increasing use of online platforms, people are undoubtedly becoming more accustomed to sharing all aspects of their lives online, so younger artists, in particular, may not see it as an issue. And Weverse could become a powerful tool for US and Latin American artists. However, if it is the sole platform, then the issue of monopolization (or market dominance) should be a valid concern for both Artists and Fans. (Ticketmaster 👀) I'm curious if any startups are making a play for a share of the market. Does anyone have any insights on this? WooJin CHA Also raises very interesting questions to consider!

A new report from Bank of America analysts projects that ‘funflation’ will be driven by live music even as other consumer spending slows down. https://lnkd.in/gd9zPTBf #musicindustry #musicbusiness #musicnews #musicindustrynews #musicanalytics #livemusic #concerts

Universal Music Group’s purpose is to “Shape culture through the power of artistry.” Now, its top artist, Taylor Swift, is TIME Person of the Year. Talk about a purpose-driven company. When Taylor Swift was at her lowest, she turned to Lucian Grainge, CEO of UMG, and Monte Lipman of Republic Records, a top label at UMG. They saw her culture-shifting potential and took a risk, tossing out industry-standard deal structures to form a unique partnership that would grant Taylor more creative agency than ever before. Around the same time, UMG teamed up with Jump to define its purpose. Together we uncovered that across labels and continents, UMG exists to “shape culture through the power of artistry.” By clearly articulating and living out its purpose, UMG has built a culture of taking risks and betting on artists with the potential to change the world. Today, Taylor Swift is TIME Person of the Year, and the first to be recognized for achievements in the arts. “In a divided world, where too many institutions are failing, Taylor Swift found a way to transcend borders and be a source of light. No one else on the planet today can move so many people so well.” —Sam Jacobs, TIME That’s the power of purpose. Learn more about how UMG partnered with Jump to reimagine the role of music labels in the 21st century: https://lnkd.in/gz7YPmdq #TaylorSwift #ErasTour #taylorsversion #TIMEMagazine #TimePOY #UMG #purposedriven #purposedrivenbusiness #futureofmusic #futurefocused #strategy

Bravo to Live Nation Entertainment for stepping up as music industry leaders to make this huge stride in support of artists. This is an important and applaudable response to controversy in recent months over the fact that venues typically eat away at 15-40% of artists' merch sales. Not only have these fees been removed, allowing artists to keep 100% of merch profits -- but artists will now receive an additional $1,500 stipend to cover gas + travel, and crews and tour reps will receive bonuses. Promising to see this step forward which will make a dramatic difference, especially for smaller emerging acts. Hopefully other venues and entertainment companies will follow. https://lnkd.in/gfMtSjrf

### Anti Wack Radio: A New Era in Urban Pop #### Introduction In the ever-evolving world of urban pop, the emergence of Anti Wack Radio marks a significant milestone. Designed to cater to fans of iconic artists like Drake and Kendrick Lamar, Anti Wack Radio promises to revolutionize the music industry by offering a fresh, direct-to-consumer model. This innovative platform is set to launch on June 16th, a date symbolic of the Kendrick-Drake rivalry that has shaped much of modern hip-hop. For fans and artists alike, this launch signifies a new era of music distribution and consumption. #### The Launch of Anti Wack Radio Anti Wack Radio is not just another streaming service; it's a movement. Born out of the need for authenticity in urban pop, this platform aims to combat the commercialization that often dilutes the essence of the genre. Scheduled to launch on June 16th, the choice of date is a nod to the ongoing dynamic between Kendrick Lamar and Drake, two of the most influential figures in hip-hop today. This rivalry, while competitive, has pushed both artists to new heights and has driven the genre forward, making it a fitting backdrop for the launch of such a groundbreaking service. #### Direct-to-Consumer Model for Artists One of the standout features of Anti Wack Radio is its direct-to-consumer model. Unlike traditional platforms where middlemen can dilute an artist's vision and take a significant cut of their earnings, Anti Wack Radio allows artists to maintain creative control and reap the financial benefits of their work. This model is particularly appealing to independent artists who are looking to make a name for themselves without compromising their artistic integrity. By directly engaging with their audience, artists can build stronger connections and deliver more meaningful content. #### The Conception from Kendrick-Drake Beef The idea for Anti Wack Radio was sparked by the high-profile beef between Kendrick Lamar and Drake. This rivalry has not only captivated fans but also highlighted the need for a platform that celebrates genuine talent and competition. Anti Wack Radio aims to embody the spirit of this rivalry by fostering an environment where artists can thrive without the constraints of traditional music industry gatekeepers. The platform encourages artists to push boundaries, innovate, and deliver their best work, much like Kendrick and Drake have done throughout their careers. #### Key Points 1. **Launch Date**: The significance of launching on June 16th, a date that reflects the impact of the Kendrick-Drake rivalry. 2. **Direct-to-Consumer Model**: How this model benefits artists by giving them more control and financial gain. 3. **Authenticity and Innovation**: The platform's commitment to preserving the true essence of urban pop while encouraging innovation. #UrbanPop #MusicIndustry #Drake #KendrickLamar #AntiWackRadio #DirectToConsumer #MusicLaunch http://bit.ly/3UPVJkn

99% of Artists Struggle to Make It to Mid-Level, Let Alone Become Mainstream or Superstars, Chartmetric Reveals Chartmetric, the platform advancing #music through data insights, recently presented its Inaugural Year in Music report with the stats and sounds of music in 2023. Tracking over 9.7 million artists, Chartmetric’s report tackles questions posed by the #musicindustry with a focus on artist development, providing an overview of the social and streaming ecosystem. They've leveraged lots of data in the report and come up with several insights from the top countries that bring more new artists to gender imbalance among artists and which pronouns they use, but we wanted to pay special attention to this—musicians' career stages and how complicated (or sometimes impossible) it is to make it in the music industry 👇 #musicians #musicbusiness https://lnkd.in/e87txKRt