Live Nation’s ‘On The Road Again’ campaign harms US independent venues, NIVA claims

nme.com:

entertainment company would drop merch cuts at all of the venues it operates in the US. The campaign, which started last month (September 26) also revealed touring artists would receive a stipend of $1500 (£1,233) to help with fuel and travel.

The website does not state how long the programme will run for, specifying only ‘the next few months’.In a new statement, NIVA have criticised the campaign, saying it will “divert artists from independent venues” in favour of Live Nation-operated venues.

NME have reached out to Live Nation for comment.“Temporary measures may appear to help artists in the short run but actually can squeeze out independent venues which provide the lifeblood of many artists on thin margins,” the statement began. “Independent venues and promoters are investing in and elevating up-and-coming artists every day, and NIVA is supporting those efforts nationally.

The initiative announced yesterday may seem like a move to follow the lead of some independent venues. It is not that.NIVA also noted Live Nation is a “publicly-traded conglomerate” with “immeasurable resources” making it possible to “divert artists from independent venues and further consolidate control over the live entertainment sector.” This, they said, threatens “the vitality of small and medium-sized venues under 3000 capacity, many of which still struggle to keep their doors open.The statement continued: “Independent stages, where the majority of artists, musicians, and comedians start their careers, are small businesses and nonprofits.