On the latest episode of The Live Music Industry Podcast, Matt Ford sits down with Boris Patronoff, founder and CEO of Soundcheck Capital and former CEO of See Tickets US.

In this conversation, Boris breaks down how independent promoters, venues, and festivals actually get financed today and why so many of those dollars come with hidden tradeoffs.

You’ll hear:

• Why traditional banks rarely fund independent live operators
• How ticketing companies became de-facto lenders and what that means for fees and flexibility
• The real economics behind ticketing advances and service charges
• Key differences between U.S. and European ticketing markets
• How all-in pricing and secondary markets are shaping fan trust
• Why separating “the tech” from “the check” can create more optionality and long-term sustainability

It’s an honest, inside look at the financial structures shaping live events right now and what operators should be thinking about as costs rise and margins tighten.