Generated by Rank Math SEO, this is an llms.txt file designed to help LLMs better understand and index this website. # Prism ## Sitemaps [XML Sitemap](https://prism.fm/sitemap_index.xml): Includes all crawlable and indexable pages. ## Posts - [How Z2 Entertainment Transitioned their Business to Prism](https://prism.fm/blog/venue-insights/z2-onboarding/): Change can be difficult for anyone, but working in live music means always being ready to adapt. Whether having to suddenly mic up a surprise horn section or learn a new POS system, it can seem that things are always in flux.  - [Live Music Management Software: How to Replace Spreadsheets for Booking & Scheduling](https://prism.fm/blog/music-management-software/live-music-management-software-replace-your-spreadsheets/): Live music management software closes that gap. Every competitor in this category will tell you that. What almost nobody tells you is how to actually make the switch: what to move, what to leave, what order to do it in, and how to know it worked. That's what this piece covers. If you're still deciding whether to move at all, start with purpose-built live music tools and the case for leaving manual systems behind. If you've already decided, keep reading. - [Best Performing Arts Management Software for PACs: 2026 Buyer’s Guide](https://prism.fm/blog/insights/best-performing-arts-management-software-for-pacs/): Most performing arts management software only runs half your building, and the half it skips is where your margin lives. - [Theatre Management Software vs. Performing Arts Center Software: What PACs Actually Need](https://prism.fm/blog/insights/theatre-management-software-what-pacs-need/): Search for theatre management software, and you'll get two very different products wearing the same language. One is a generic event calendar with a box-office bolt-on. The other runs the full operational life of a performing arts center, from the first hold to the board report. Telling them apart matters more for a PAC than any other venue because a PAC stacks more event types into the same rooms than a club or arena ever will. - [Concert Marketing Software: Your 2026 Guide to Selling Out Shows](https://prism.fm/blog/concerts/concert-marketing-guide-the-short-version/): Concert marketing software is the system that plans your campaign, tracks your ticket sales, and reports on what worked, all in one place. It replaces the tangle most teams still cobble together: a spreadsheet for the budget, a folder for artwork, a ticketing dashboard for sales, and an inbox for everything else. When those systems don't talk, you lose hours to manual entry and money to decisions made on stale numbers. - [Performing Arts Center Software: How PACs Manage Complex Events & Reporting](https://prism.fm/blog/insights/performing-arts-center-software/): A performing arts center is the hardest venue in live entertainment to run on software, and most operators know it the moment they try to fit their week into a standard calendar app. A single hall might host a school matinee at 9 am, a resident dance company's tech rehearsal at 2 pm, and a self-promoted touring act at 8 pm. Three event types, three deal structures, three sets of expenses, one room. Performing arts center software exists to manage that density without the spreadsheet sprawl that swallows your staff's week. - [Performing Arts Center Financial Reporting & Settlement](https://prism.fm/blog/insights/performing-arts-center-financial-reporting/): Performing arts center financial reporting carries a weight most live music venues never feel. A club settles a show, pays the artist, and moves on. A PAC settles a show, then has to roll that result into deferred season revenue, restricted grant funds, and a board deck that a finance committee will pick apart line by line. The work doesn't end when the box office closes. It ends when the auditor signs off. Yet most centers still run that entire chain through spreadsheets stitched to a ticketing export, which is exactly when the numbers start drifting. - [Venue Scheduling Software: How to Manage Events Without Conflicts](https://prism.fm/blog/insights/venue-scheduling-software-how-to-manage-events/): Venue scheduling software stops double-bookings before they happen by tracking dates, rooms, holds, and crews in one live system instead of scattered spreadsheets. - [Performing Arts Center Software: How PACs Manage Events, Finance & Reporting](https://prism.fm/blog/insights/performing-arts-center-software-for-events-and-finance/): A performing arts center runs more kinds of events in a week than most venues run in a month. A touring concert on Friday, a resident ballet matinee Saturday, a corporate rental Monday, and a school workshop Tuesday. Each one carries its own deal structure, expenses, and reporting trail. Performing arts center software holds all of that in one place, from the first hold on the calendar to the final number a board sees. According to Grand View Research, the event management software market reached $16 billion in 2025 and is projected to hit $39.6 billion by 2033 at a 11.5% CAGR, with 64% of deployments already cloud-based. That shift points straight at the kind of purpose-built venue management software that runs a modern PAC. - [Concert Budget Template: How to Plan Profitable Events in 2026](https://prism.fm/blog/venue-insights/tips-on-building-concert-budget-template/): A concert budget template only works when it connects planning, ticketing, and settlement into one live picture of the show. - [Event Management Software Features: Your 2026 Checklist](https://prism.fm/blog/insights/whats-in-your-event-management-software-features-to-look-for/): Generic event platforms weren't built for live music, and the feature lists they push reflect it. - [Managing Complex Event Schedules with PAC Management Software](https://prism.fm/blog/event-management-software/complex-event-schedules-with-pac-management-software/): The global event management software market reached $8.4 billion in 2024 and is projected to hit $17.33 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 13.2%. That growth is fueled by venues recognizing that spreadsheets and sticky notes can't handle the complexity of modern PAC operations. Performing arts center software is the solution for venues drowning in scheduling conflicts and communication breakdowns. - [Venue Management in 2026: How Live Music Operators Reclaim Time and Protect Margins](https://prism.fm/blog/insights/music-venue-management-how-to-save-time-and-build-your-business/): Live music venue management has never been more punishing, or more solvable. - [What Is Venue Management Software? Features, Benefits & Best Tools](https://prism.fm/blog/venue-insights/what-is-venue-management-software/): If you operate a music venue, theater, club, amphitheater, or PAC, pick venue management software that was actually built for live music. - [What to Look for In Music Promoter Tools](https://prism.fm/blog/venue-insights/what-to-look-for-in-music-promoter-tools/): The best music promoter tools are built around how promoters actually work, not how generic event software thinks they should. - [Music Festival Marketing in 2026: A Promoter’s Playbook for Selling Out](https://prism.fm/blog/live-music-events/how-to-promote-a-music-festival/): Music festival marketing in 2026 is a multi-channel, data-driven campaign that lives or dies by attribution. - [Booking Agency Best Practices: Strategies for Successful Artist Representation](https://prism.fm/blog/artist-management/booking-agency-best-practices-strategies-for-successful-artist-representation/): How do you earn trust, deliver results, and build a reputation that attracts both artists and opportunities? Live Nation CEO Michael Rapino recently declared that 2025 was "a historic year for live music" as the company reported record attendance and double-digit revenue growth. With ticket sales for 2026 concerts already up double-digits and major tours selling out in record time, the momentum shows no signs of slowing. Agencies that implement booking agency best practices are propelling their artists' careers forward. - [Choosing the Right Live Music Management Software for Your Venue](https://prism.fm/blog/event-management-software/live-music-management-software-for-your-venue/): Live music management software has evolved beyond calendar apps and contact databases. Modern platforms handle everything from initial artist outreach to final settlement, automating the grunt work that used to eat up entire days. The challenge is finding software that understands the unique chaos of live music rather than forcing you to adapt your workflows to generic business tools designed for corporate conferences and wedding planners. - [Maximizing Live Event Marketing Software for Concert Promotion](https://prism.fm/blog/event-management-software/maximizing-live-event-marketing-software/): Specialized live event marketing software separates packed houses from empty rooms by giving concert promoters the data, automation, and integration they need to run smarter campaigns. - [How Event Management Software Simplifies Calendar and Roster Management](https://prism.fm/blog/event-management-software/managing-your-rosters-calendar/): Event management software designed for live music centralizes every moving piece of your operation. From initial holds through final settlement, the right platform creates a single source of truth that keeps your entire team aligned and your business running efficiently. - [How Agencies and Promoters Manage Live Event Deals from Offer to Settlement](https://prism.fm/blog/event-management-software/how-agencies-and-promoters-manage-live-event/): The live music industry hit $23 billion in 2024 through Live Nation alone, yet most agencies and promoters still manage their deal flow with spreadsheets and prayer. - [Why Agency Booking Software Needs Centralized Analytics Tools](https://prism.fm/blog/music-agents/agency-booking-software-needs-centralized-analytics-tools/): The live music industry is on a tear. Global revenues hit nearly $39 billion in 2025, with projections showing an 8.78% compound annual growth rate through 2034. The agencies capturing the lion's share of this growth aren't necessarily the ones with the biggest rosters or the most experienced agents. They've figured out how to leverage agency booking software with centralized analytics and reporting to make smarter, faster decisions. Meanwhile, agencies still cobbling together insights from disconnected spreadsheets, email threads, and ticketing platform logins are hemorrhaging both time and opportunities. - [How Venue Management Software Can Automate Scheduling & Reporting](https://prism.fm/blog/venue-insights/venue-management-software-can-automate/): Venue management software eliminates the chaos of spreadsheets and manual processes that drain live music operators of time and money. - [Talent Buying Software vs. Event Management Platforms: What’s the Difference?](https://prism.fm/blog/event-management-software/talent-buying-software-vs-event-management-platforms/): Yet many professionals in the space are still running their operations on disconnected spreadsheets, email chains, and calendar apps that weren't designed for live music. The result? Double-bookings, settlement errors, missed deadlines, and hours burned on administrative work that should take minutes. Understanding the differences between talent buying software and generic event management platforms impacts your profitability and scalability. - [What Makes a Great Music Booking Agent Platform?](https://prism.fm/blog/music-agents/what-makes-a-great-music-booking-agent-platform/): The right music booking agent software separates thriving agencies from those drowning in spreadsheets and missed opportunities. - [Inside Etix: 100M+ Tickets, Integrated Resale Ticketing, and What’s Next for Ticketing in 2026](https://prism.fm/blog/interviews/inside-etix-100-million-tickets-secondary-all-in-pricing-ai/): Ticketing has never been simple, but it’s getting more complex by the year: new pricing expectations, rising costs, a volatile secondary market, and a shifting buyer experience driven by AI. Ticketing platforms for venues may hold the key. - [How Event Talent Buying Works: Venues, Promoters, and Agencies](https://prism.fm/blog/event-management-software/how-event-talent-buying-works/): Event talent buying is the engine that keeps live music venues full and artists paid. - [Music Tour Planning Tools That Unify Your Booking Workflow](https://prism.fm/blog/insights/music-tour-planning-tools-that-unify-your-booking-workflow/): Music tour planning tools exist for a reason: managing live entertainment involves dozens of stakeholders, shifting timelines, and financial arrangements that generic project management apps can't handle. Centralizing these operations is about building infrastructure that lets you book more shows, settle faster, and actually know where your money is at any given moment. - [How Talent Buying Software Solves Promoter Pain Points](https://prism.fm/blog/event-management-software/how-talent-buying-software-solves-promoter-pain-points/): The right talent buying software turns booking chaos into streamlined operations, letting promoters focus on putting on great shows. - [What Analytics Matter Most for Booking and Talent Agencies in 2026?](https://prism.fm/blog/insights/what-analytics-matter-most-for-booking-and-talent-agencies/): Data-driven agencies are pulling ahead while spreadsheet-bound competitors fall behind. - [How Venues Can Streamline Operations with Management Software](https://prism.fm/blog/event-management-software/how-venues-can-streamline-operations-with-management-software/): That's where venue management software enters the picture. Purpose-built platforms designed for live entertainment are replacing the patchwork systems that venue teams have tolerated for decades. The shift is about reclaiming hours lost to administrative chaos and redirecting that energy toward booking better shows and creating memorable experiences. - [Venue Management Software: The Key to Booking More Shows?](https://prism.fm/blog/event-management-software/venue-management-software-the-key-to-booking-more-shows/): People skills, organization, and time management remain the top essential skills for success in this industry. Venue managers must be proactive multitaskers who are responsive and flexible. That's challenging when you're using different systems and tools that don't communicate with each other. That's where venue management software comes in, and it's helping venue managers do more with less while increasing profitability. - [What Features Define the Best Music Booking Agent Software?](https://prism.fm/blog/music-management-software/what-features-define-the-best-music-booking-agent-software/): The right music booking agent software eliminates administrative chaos and lets agents focus on what actually matters: building relationships and booking shows. - [What Promoters Should Look for in a Talent Buying CRM](https://prism.fm/blog/insights/what-promoters-should-look-for-in-a-talent-buying-crm/): The right talent buying CRM transforms how promoters operate, replacing fragmented workflows with a unified system built for live music complexity. - [How Event Contract and Payment Software Simplifies Live Music](https://prism.fm/blog/events/how-event-contract-and-payment-software-simplifies-live-music/): Unified event contract and payment software eliminates the chaos of managing live events across disconnected tools. - [How AI is Reshaping Venue Scheduling and Artist Booking](https://prism.fm/blog/insights/how-ai-is-reshaping-venue-scheduling-and-artist-booking/): AI venue scheduling is shifting how talent buyers and promoters manage holds, offers, and settlements. - [Real-Time Scheduling Software for Venues Explained](https://prism.fm/blog/venue-insights/real-time-scheduling-software-for-venues/): This disconnect between industry sophistication and venue management reality is driving a massive shift toward real-time scheduling software for venues. - [How to Effectively Market Your Music Venue: Real-World Examples That Work](https://prism.fm/blog/insights/how-to-effectively-market-your-music-venue/): Successful venue marketing examples show that strategic digital campaigns, community building, and data-driven approaches consistently fill seats and boost revenue. - [The Promoter’s Guide to Concert Marketing ROI](https://prism.fm/blog/insights/promoters-guide-to-concert-marketing-roi/): Concert marketing ROI isn't just about ticket sales; it's about measuring every touchpoint that drives revenue. - [Best Booking Software for Managing Multiple Live Music Venues](https://prism.fm/blog/music-management-software/booking-software-for-managing-multiple-live-music-venues/): Multi-venue operators need specialized booking software for music venues that scales with growth, not generic event platforms that break under pressure. - [How to Start a Booking Agency](https://prism.fm/blog/insights/how-to-start-a-booking-agency/): The historically high demand for live music has made it an ideal time to harness the dream of starting a music booking agency. Despite the challenging environment, booking agency owners who find their niche can turn a lifelong love of music into a rewarding career. But how do you get started? What are some of the keys to getting your business off the ground? What are the mistakes to avoid? - [Modern Event Promotion Strategies for 2025](https://prism.fm/blog/insights/3-top-tips-on-how-to-promote-an-event/): Modern event promotion strategies have evolved to dominate the $62.5 billion U.S. concert industry. - [Common Mistakes Promoters Make Without the Right Tools](https://prism.fm/blog/best-practices/common-mistakes-promoters-make/): Music promoter workflow inefficiencies cost the industry millions annually through missed opportunities and manual errors. Key issues include: - [What Is Venue Management Software Really Capable Of?](https://prism.fm/blog/music-management-software/venue-management-software-capable-of/): Modern venue management software transforms chaotic live music operations into streamlined profit centers. - [Talent Buying Software: Features That Save Time](https://prism.fm/blog/music-management-software/talent-buying-software/): Talent buying software delivers substantial time savings through automated workflows and centralized operations. - [How Music Promoter Software Can Boost Your Event’s Success](https://prism.fm/blog/event-management-software/how-music-promoter-software-can-boost-your-events-success/): Music promoter software transforms chaotic manual workflows into streamlined, automated systems that save promoters significant administrative time. - [Why Venue Management Software Is Replacing Spreadsheets](https://prism.fm/blog/venue-insights/venue-management-software-is-replacing-spreadsheets/): If you're still managing your venue with spreadsheets, email chains, and sticky notes scattered across your office, you're actively hurting your bottom line. The venues that are thriving have one thing in common: they've embraced venue management software built specifically for live music. - [Future of Concert Event Management: Trends for 2025–26](https://prism.fm/blog/concerts/future-of-concert-event-management/): The live music industry is experiencing unprecedented growth, but the game has fundamentally changed. - [How to Choose the Right Music Venue Booking Software](https://prism.fm/blog/venue-insights/tips-on-how-to-choose-the-right-music-venue-booking-software/): Modern music professionals are embracing the digital frontier, moving away from traditional paper-based systems and looking for ways to streamline their booking systems. It's time to put the pen and paper away and embrace purpose-built software for the live music industry. In other words, it's time to find the right music venue booking software for your stage. - [Top Music Manager Software Solutions in 2025](https://prism.fm/blog/music-management-software/top-music-manager-software-solutions-in-2025/): Music managers coordinate more moving parts than ever before. Tour routing, venue negotiations, deal tracking, financial settlements, team communications, and real-time logistics demand better tools. The days of managing multi-million-dollar operations through your email inbox are over. Professional music manager software has become essential for staying competitive. - [How to Master Concert Scheduling and Planning](https://prism.fm/blog/concerts/how-to-master-concert-scheduling-and-planning/): Concert scheduling mastery requires effective calendar management, technical coordination, team communication, and mobile accessibility. - [How Venue Operations Software Streamlines Live Events](https://prism.fm/blog/live-music-events/how-venue-operations-software-streamlines-live-events/): Modern venue operations software revolutionizes live event management by eliminating manual processes and consolidating workflows. Key benefits include automated scheduling that prevents double-bookings, streamlined logistics coordination with all stakeholders, enhanced communication tools that keep everyone aligned, and integrated financial tracking from offer to settlement. Smart venue managers are choosing specialized platforms over generic solutions to dramatically reduce time spent on administrative tasks. - [The Complete Guide to Talent Buying Software](https://prism.fm/blog/music-management-software/the-complete-guide-to-talent-buying-software/): Modern talent buying software transforms chaotic manual processes into streamlined workflows that save hundreds of hours annually. - [Best Software for Music Festival Planning in 2025: A Promoter’s Complete Guide](https://prism.fm/blog/live-music-events/best-software-for-music-festival-planning-in-2025-a-promoters-complete-guide/): The music festival industry is experiencing unprecedented growth, with the global live music market projected to reach $79.7 billion by 2030, growing at a substantial annual rate. This surge brings both opportunity and complexity for festival promoters who must navigate everything from artist bookings to vendor coordination while maintaining razor-thin profit margins. - [The Rise of Mobile-First Music Venue Management](https://prism.fm/blog/music-management-software/the-rise-of-mobile-first-music-venue-management/): The live music industry is experiencing unprecedented growth, with revenues reaching over $33 billion in 2023 — a remarkable 25% increase from the previous year. As venues scramble to capitalize on this boom, one technology trend is separating the leaders from the laggards: mobile venue management software. - [How to Simplify Talent Buying with Software](https://prism.fm/blog/live-music-events/how-to-simplify-talent-buying-with-software/): Managing a live music venue means juggling endless moving pieces—artist negotiations, contract approvals, financial settlements, and calendar coordination. If you're still operating with spreadsheets and manual processes, you're burning through hours that could be spent building relationships with agents and discovering new talent. The live music industry is experiencing unprecedented growth, with revenues reaching over 33 billion U.S. dollars in 2023, representing a 25% increase from the previous year. Yet many venue operators remain stuck in outdated workflows that limit their ability to capitalize on this boom. - [The Promoter’s Guide to Music Industry Partnerships](https://prism.fm/blog/guides/the-promoters-guide-to-music-industry-partnerships/): The modern music landscape has fundamentally shifted how promoters build sustainable businesses. With global music industry revenues reaching nearly 5 trillion streams in 2024 and live music projected to surpass $50 billion by 2030, savvy promoters understand that success means cultivating strategic music industry partnerships that amplify reach, diversify revenue, and create unforgettable experiences. - [Concert Ticketing Software Revenue Guide 2025](https://prism.fm/blog/concerts/concert-ticketing-software-revenue-guide-2025/): SUMMARY: Music promoters are leveraging advanced concert ticketing software to maximize revenue through dynamic pricing strategies, mobile-first experiences, and integrated venue management systems. Key tactics include tiered pricing structures, real-time analytics, automated marketing, and seamless financial tracking that turns every ticket sale into actionable business intelligence. - [Integrating Ticketing with Music Management Software: A Seamless Experience](https://prism.fm/blog/music-management-software/integrating-ticketing-with-music-management-software-a-seamless-experience/): Music venues face an increasingly complex operational landscape. With the live music industry experiencing unprecedented growth and Live Nation reporting a 36% increase in revenue from 2022 to 2023, venue operators are under pressure to streamline operations while delivering exceptional experiences. The secret to thriving in this competitive environment lies in comprehensive live music management software that seamlessly integrates all aspects of venue operations, especially ticketing systems. - [Top 10 Features Every Music Venue Management Software Should Have](https://prism.fm/blog/venue-insights/top-10-features-every-music-venue-management-software-should-have/): The live music industry is experiencing unprecedented growth, with global revenues reaching over $33 billion in 2023, marking a 25% increase from the previous year. This surge in live events has created both opportunities and challenges for venue operators who must manage increasingly complex operations while maintaining profitability. As talent costs now account for approximately 75% to 85% of total ticket sales revenue and venues face mounting pressure to deliver exceptional experiences, the right music venue management software has become essential for success. - [The Future of Concert Event Management: Trends to Watch](https://prism.fm/blog/uncategorized/the-future-of-concert-event-management-trends-to-watch/): Concert event management is evolving fast, and for anyone still juggling spreadsheets and scattered emails, the writing's on the wall. In just the last year, the live music industry has seen a surge in demand for smarter, faster, more connected workflows. Along with focusing on the fan experience, venues are pushing for the integration of better tech. Add in ongoing pressure to do more with less, and it’s clear that running shows the old way is inefficient and risky. - [Why Live Music Management Software Is Essential in 2025](https://prism.fm/blog/live-music-events/why-live-music-management-software-is-essential-in-2025/): In 2025, if you’re still running your live music business on email threads, spreadsheets, and a prayer, you’re already behind. According to a recent report by PwC, global live music revenues are projected to surpass $3.4 trillion by 2028, but profit margins are tighter than ever. Inflation, higher production costs, and increased artist fees are squeezing every dollar. And yet, many venues and promoters are still juggling bookings with outdated tools that were never built for the complexities of live event management. That’s where live music management software comes in as a survival tool. - [Theater Planning Facilities for Performing Arts and Live Entertainment](https://prism.fm/blog/uncategorized/theater-planning-facilities-for-performing-arts-and-live-entertainment/): Theater planning facilities for performing arts and live entertainment are entering a new era, and the old way of doing things isn’t cutting it. Legacy systems, outdated spreadsheets, and scattered communication kill productivity and blow budgets. For performing arts venues juggling dozens of shows, rentals, and programs, real-time collaboration across the entire team is a requirement. - [Why Music Promoter Software is a Game-Changer](https://prism.fm/blog/event-management-software/why-music-promoter-software-is-a-game-changer/): That’s where modern solutions step in, and not just any tool but an online platform built specifically for how this industry actually operates. Music promoter software is the backbone of next-gen event management. It streamlines booking, handles real-time updates to your calendar, and centralizes communications across your entire team and partners. With powerful data and insights at your fingertips, you can track everything from settlements to ticket revenue, forecast better offers, and promote with confidence. - [What to Expect from the Concert and Event Promotion Industry in 2025](https://prism.fm/blog/events/what-to-expect-from-the-concert-and-event-promotion-industry-in-2025/): The concert and event promotion industry has been on a steady climb, defying challenges and adapting to new trends. In terms of market size, revenue has achieved an average annual growth rate of 4.2%, with a 2.6% increase in 2024 alone, pushing total earnings to an impressive $56 billion. - [Choosing the Best All-In-One Solution for Music Industry Professionals](https://prism.fm/blog/music-agents/choosing-the-best-all-in-one-solution-for-music-industry-professionals/): As the industry expands, so does the array of tools and platforms promising to streamline operations. However, the challenge lies in identifying an all-in-one solution for music industry professionals that caters specifically to their unique demands. The right platform can be a game-changer, enabling seamless management of financials, distribution, and audience engagement, thereby allowing professionals to focus more on creativity and less on administrative burdens. - [Event Management for Music Concerts: 11 Tips to Make It Easy](https://prism.fm/blog/event-management-software/event-management-for-music-concerts-11-tips-to-make-it-easy/): Let's face it—event management for music concerts isn't for the faint of heart. From juggling artist requirements to keeping your crew in sync, you're orchestrating dozens of moving pieces into one killer show. And in today's fast-moving industry, the old clipboard-and-spreadsheet approach just doesn't cut it anymore.  - [A Complete Guide to Performing Arts Center Management](https://prism.fm/blog/insights/guide-to-pac-performing-arts-center-venue-management/): The curtain rises, the house lights dim, and another spectacular performance begins at your venue. Behind this seamless presentation lies the complex world of performing arts center management, where every detail must be perfectly orchestrated.  - [The Impact of Venue Management Software on the Fan Experience](https://prism.fm/blog/event-management-software/the-impact-of-venue-management-software-on-the-fan-experience/): The venue management platform is changing the landscape of live music events, keeping pace with the evolving expectations of fans. In our digital age, concertgoers are seeking more than just music—they want immersive and seamless experiences. This shift in demand is largely driven by rapid technological advancements. Fans expect quick ticket purchases, real-time updates, and personalized interactions at every touchpoint. - [How Automation Is Influencing the Future of Event Management](https://prism.fm/blog/insights/event-management-software-how-automation-is-changing-the-industry/): The event management industry is due for a serious upgrade. If you're still running your live music business through spreadsheets, endless emails, and "quick" phone calls, you're stuck in a workflow that's about as current as a vintage mixtape. While these methods technically work, they're costing you something invaluable: time. In fact, event organizers spend an average of 34% of their workday on repetitive administrative tasks that could be automated with the right event management solution. - [8 Benefits of Integrating Ticketing & Music Management Software](https://prism.fm/blog/event-management-software/benefits-of-integrating-ticketing-music-management-software/): Let's be real: Running a music venue is part art, part science, and 100% organized chaos. Between juggling artist bookings, managing ticket sales, tracking finances, and keeping the vibe right, venue managers are the unsung heroes of the live music world. But what if there was a way to make all that behind-the-scenes magic happen with way less stress and way more efficiency? - [How to Promote a Concert on Social Media: A Quick Guide](https://prism.fm/blog/venue-insights/a-quick-guide-for-how-to-promote-a-concert-on-social-media/): With modern technology taking over everyday business practices, knowing how to promote a concert has become increasingly sophisticated. Between 85% and 95% of venues actively use social media as part of their marketing strategy. Music industry professionals who master digital marketing can transform their reach, engagement, and ticket sales.  - [A Venue Manager’s Checklist for Effective Concert Schedule Planning](https://prism.fm/blog/venue-insights/a-venue-managers-checklist-for-effective-concert-schedule-planning/): As the music industry booms following a period of uncertainty, venue managers must prepare for flawless event execution. The success of your events and the satisfaction of your event partners will directly impact your ability to benefit from the growing interest in live music and in-person gatherings.  - [6 Ways to Simplify Music Event Planning with Booking Software](https://prism.fm/blog/uncategorized/6-ways-to-simplify-music-event-planning-with-booking-software/): Planning a music event is inherently complex, with multiple elements to consider—from artist schedules and venue requirements to ticketing logistics and financial negotiations. But with the right tools in place, you can streamline and simplify all aspects of planning, booking, and management. - [Music Festival Planning Guide: 6 Ways to Streamline Management](https://prism.fm/blog/uncategorized/music-festival-planning-guide-6-ways-to-streamline-management/): The ambiance of a music festival is nothing short of magical. It's a space where thousands of people create unforgettable memories set to incredible music. But behind the scenes of these events, there are logistics wizards hard at work: the festival planners. - [How AI is Changing Venue Management in 2025](https://prism.fm/blog/events/how-ai-is-changing-venue-management-in-2025/): Venue managers are drowning in complexity. Between juggling multiple software platforms, managing real-time operations, and delivering personalized experiences, the traditional approach to venue management is cracking under pressure. According to recent industry research, 73% of employees feel overwhelmed by constantly toggling between an average of 10 different apps and tools, while the rapid adoption of AI in venue operations is transforming how events are managed and executed. - [Live Music Industry Trends: 10 Trends Shaping the Future](https://prism.fm/blog/live-music-events/emerging-trends-and-predictions-for-live-music-businesses/): The live music industry continues to evolve at a rapid pace, embracing innovation and responding to changing audience expectations. As we wrap up 2024 and move into 2025, the sector is reimagining itself, pushing boundaries, and creating new paradigms for live music experiences. - [How to Optimize Music Business Operations with the Best Software](https://prism.fm/blog/event-management-software/the-future-of-live-music-management-emerging-software-trends/): A new beat is resonating within the music industry, one that is turning tables and changing the game. Technology continues to shape the way music is produced and consumed, along with how the business side operates. Evolving from a landscape punctuated by vinyl records, cassettes, CDs, and now streaming platforms, the music industry continues to ride the crest of the digital wave. Professionals are venturing into a world where the right music booking software is becoming as instrumental as the artists who create the music itself. - [5 Must-Have Features in Live Event Management Software in 2025](https://prism.fm/blog/event-management-software/5-top-live-event-management-software-features/): The live events industry is experiencing a significant resurgence in 2025, with projections indicating the global events industry market will reach $1.68 trillion this year, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.8% from the previous year. This growth is fueled by increasing demand for immersive experiences, technological advancements, and a shift towards hybrid event models that combine in-person and virtual elements. - [How to Find the Best Venue Management Software: Your Backstage Pass to Success](https://prism.fm/blog/venue-insights/how-to-find-the-best-venue-management-software-your-backstage-pass-to-success/): Picture this: You're backstage at your venue, juggling a ringing phone, a stack of contracts, and a frantic request from tonight's headliner. Sound familiar? Welcome to the world of venue management, where every day feels like a high-wire act. - [How to Streamline Music Events Management and Bookings](https://prism.fm/blog/event-management-software/how-to-streamline-music-events-management-and-bookings/): For music industry professionals, successfully managing bookings and events is vitally important. Whether you're managing a venue, representing artists in a talent agency, or playing a role in promotions, you'll have to manage contracts and event logistics while navigating a multitude of other challenges. Finding ways to simplify and streamline these processes can make a night-and-day difference in your workflow.   - [All-in-One Solution for Music Industry Professionals: What to Know](https://prism.fm/blog/uncategorized/all-in-one-solution-for-music-industry-professionals-what-to-know/): Navigating the complexities of the music industry can often feel like orchestrating a symphony in its own right. With numerous moving parts ranging from live music venues to ticket regulation, everything must blend harmoniously for a successful performance. But what if one tool could synchronize all these elements, creating a coherent and melodious result? This is where an all-in-one solution for music industry professionals comes into play. - [How Venues Can Harness Data for Informed Live Event Decisions](https://prism.fm/blog/uncategorized/how-venues-can-harness-data-for-informed-live-event-decisions/): Today's live event venues have more tools at their disposal than ever before to help improve profitability and enhance the guest experience. By gaining access to new data insights, venues can harness a wealth of valuable information and use it to ensure greater success. With live events, the stakes are high, and decisions based on intuition or past experiences often aren't enough. - [Mastering Live Events with The Best Live Music Industry Software](https://prism.fm/blog/event-management-software/mastering-live-events-with-the-best-live-music-industry-software/): Live music events require skillful preparation for seamless execution. In this industry, professional, efficient management is absolutely crucial. Behind every successful concert, festival, or gig is a meticulously planned strategy and a team of professionals working tirelessly to bring their vision to life. - [How to Become a Competitive Music Booking Agent](https://prism.fm/blog/music-agents/how-to-become-a-competitive-music-booking-agent-2/): From the glitz of the stage to the grind of the negotiation table, being a music booking agent is a thrilling mix of passion and hustle. While the image of this career may conjure up backstage passes and sold-out crowds, the reality of being a music booking agent demands a shrewd business sense, an ironclad network, and the ability to navigate the ever-evolving music industry. - [6 Ways to Boost Efficiency with Live Music Management Software](https://prism.fm/blog/event-management-software/6-ways-to-boost-efficiency-with-live-music-management-software/): Live music professionals are facing expansive growth, which means tighter margins, leaner teams, and a relentless pace of bookings and events. Between managing contracts, settling shows, coordinating with agents, and keeping up with promotions, there’s no room for inefficiencies. When the stakes are this high and time is this limited, the right tools are business-critical. - [How Live Music Venue Booking Software Simplifies the Process for Artists](https://prism.fm/blog/event-management-software/how-live-music-venue-booking-software-simplifies-the-process-for-artists/): Technology will never be a substitute for an artist's inspiration, and yet many are unaware of the benefits that today's music management softwares bring to the equation. Live music venue booking software won't help a band land that perfect hook, but the boost in efficiency means more time focusing on what matters the most: the music. - [How to Make Booking Easy with Live Event Management Software](https://prism.fm/blog/event-management-software/how-to-make-booking-easy-with-live-event-management-software/): When it comes to organizing live music events, efficiency isn't just desirable; it's essential. With countless aspects to manage, including schedule tracking and financial reporting, the traditional tools of spreadsheets and stand-alone applications now seem archaic. - [The Role of Artist Booking Agencies in the Music Industry](https://prism.fm/blog/artist-management/the-role-of-artist-booking-agencies-in-the-music-industry/): With the glamor, bright lights, and pulsating beats that come with seeing popular artists live on stage, it's easy to overlook the intricacies that enable such thrilling experiences. At the heart of this system is an entity whose influence is pivotal yet often understated: the artist booking agency. - [How Booking Software for Venues Can Streamline Artist Bookings](https://prism.fm/blog/venue-insights/how-booking-software-for-venues-can-streamline-artist-bookings/): Navigating artist bookings can be a difficult task for venues. It's a job that's fraught with complexities and coordination challenges. Bookings require diligence, precision, and considerable time, from synchronizing multiple schedules to ensuring the accurate relay of critical details. It doesn't have to be a logistical nightmare, though.  - [The Ultimate Guide to Concert Promotion and Concert Management: Strategies for Success](https://prism.fm/blog/concerts/the-ultimate-guide-to-concert-promotion-and-concert-management-strategies-for-success/): Concerts are back to being one of the key driving forces of live entertainment. With concert attendance steadily climbing, supply costs stabilizing, and fans supremely motivated to chase great experiences, we appear to be entering a golden age for live music promotion. Although competition is intense, promoters who can tap the record level of enthusiasm will be able to have a major impact on an industry that is clearly on the rise. - [Social Media Marketing for Concert Promotion: Tips and Tools](https://prism.fm/blog/insights/do-you-need-concert-tour-management-software/): The concert market in 2024 looks to be strong and stable, setting up promoters to have another exciting year delivering unforgettable shows. Correlating with heavy ticket demand, fans are flocking to their favorite social media outlets to link up with other enthusiasts, buy swag, and make plans to be a part of the next event. Promoters who can stay in touch with the biggest fans will be able to make sure every show reaches its potential. - [What Is a Music Promoter Contract and Why Do You Need One?](https://prism.fm/blog/venue-insights/whats-a-talent-buyer-and-how-can-you-benefit-from-hiring-one/): The best music promoters in the business have a profound impact on the bottom line of a concert. Nobody is better attuned to the audience and financial reality of a show, which is why concert organizers and venue managers rely on them. But to make sure everything comes off without a hitch, a strong contract is needed to eliminate the gray area and get everyone on the same page. - [Building New Revenue Streams for Your Live Music Venue](https://prism.fm/blog/events/building-new-revenue-streams-for-your-live-music-venue/): The demand for concerts might be as strong as ever, yet venue operators are facing a complex and rapidly shifting live music scene. How do venues satisfy fans and maximize revenue streams in a challenging, tech-dominated environment? Many of the time-honored basics for successful venue management still apply (you still need great artists and top-notch crews), but there are also many new opportunities that have never been available before. - [How to Determine What Ticket Prices Will Maximize Revenue](https://prism.fm/blog/venue-insights/how-to-determine-what-ticket-price-would-maximize-revenue/): We all want to pack the house and have a sold-out show. But when it comes to determining what ticket price would maximize revenue, be realistic about how many tickets you can sell. Is selling out a 1,000-seat venue realistic for the specific artist and time of year? Or is 750 a more reasonable goal? - [Concert Promotion Best Practices: Maximizing Success for Music Promoters](https://prism.fm/blog/music-agents/concert-promotion-best-practices-maximizing-success-for-music-promoters/): Concert promotion is as much art as it is science. Promoters need to take advantage of trends, find creative ways to generate enthusiasm, and ultimately connect fans to artists in fresh and exciting ways. And they must do it all within a tight budget. Though there is no surefire way to maximize the potential of a show, the savvy concert promoter can duplicate past success while exploring new frontiers. - [Live Music Industry and Mental Health: How Music Venues Can Show Support](https://prism.fm/blog/insights/live-music-industry-and-mental-health-how-music-venues-can-show-support/): Music venues are more than just places to hear the latest talent rock the stage on a memorable night out. For fans and music professionals alike, live music can offer an enormous boon to our mental health. Regular doses of live music can enhance our minds and bodies, turning our stress into beneficial energy that gets channeled into a rich communal experience. The restorative nature of music is what makes it all worth it for the pros who set out to deliver the best possible show every night. - [Say Goodbye to Spreadsheets: How Live Music Management Software is Changing the Game](https://prism.fm/blog/event-management-software/say-goodbye-to-spreadsheets-how-live-music-management-software-is-changing-the-game/): Promoting, managing, and growing live music events is complex. From keeping an accurate schedule to maintaining correct financial records, ticket sales, and more, thorough organization is critical to success. And yet, too many agents, promoters, and venues still rely on spreadsheets and physical documents. The status quo might be comfortable, but it isn't always effective and certainly doesn't help your live music management business expand efficiently. - [What is Web3 and How is it Revolutionizing the Live Music Industry?](https://prism.fm/blog/live-music-events/what-is-web3-and-how-is-it-revolutionizing-the-live-music-industry/): The third generation of the internet is upon us. And, for the live music management industry, it comes at exactly the right time. - [The Best Music Marketing Tools for Promoting and Selling Out Shows](https://prism.fm/blog/events/the-best-music-marketing-tools-for-promoting-and-selling-out-shows/): Successful promoters utilize a range of marketing tools to maximize a concert's potential. The right instruments let promoters stay in tune with the audience, seize opportunities, and ultimately sell out more shows. Just as important as the tools themselves, being able to adjust strategies to stay ahead is a hallmark of the best music promoters. With some flexibility, event organizers can take advantage of today's music marketing tools to help a venue flourish. - [The Changing Role of Music Agents in the Digital Age](https://prism.fm/blog/uncategorized/the-changing-role-of-music-agents-in-the-digital-age/): Anyone familiar with the music industry knows: the last decade has seen a degree of change that is impossible to compare with any other period in its history. We've moved firmly into the digital age, with streaming revenue rising by double digits every year and accounting for nearly 85% of revenue in the industry. - [The Impact of Music Business Management Software on the Industry](https://prism.fm/blog/event-management-software/the-impact-of-music-business-management-software-on-the-industry/): Music pros need to be better equipped than ever as the industry grows into robust projections. To meet the intense demand, promoters and agents need to find a way to master the modern bookkeeping process. The days of being able to wing it are over, and professionals who successfully automate key elements of their infrastructure will have a huge advantage. - [8 Signs You Need a Venue Management System](https://prism.fm/blog/venue-insights/8-signs-you-need-a-venue-management-system/): Live music venue managers are professional multitaskers. Seamlessly handling a shifting network of tasks is an essential aspect of the job—and it can stretch anyone thin just trying to keep up with the pace of the industry. Everyone has their own style for staying on top of things, but the right management software will harness automation to change the game entirely.  - [Secrets to an Effective Concert Production Planning Process](https://prism.fm/blog/concerts/secrets-to-effective-concert-production-planning-processes/): Organizing a great concert is no easy feat. It requires a delicate balance of equipment and skilled personnel, meticulous planning, and the ability to adjust on the fly. While the band might be ready to rock, concert planners must ensure that every detail is taken care of to ensure a successful event. - [9 Tips to Make Your Live Music Venue More Successful](https://prism.fm/blog/venue-insights/9-tips-to-make-your-live-music-venue-more-successful/): Live music venues are entering uncharted waters as the industry experiences rapid growth. With promoters and venue operators striving to create unique experiences for bands and audiences, the competition is fierce. As crowds return to live events, venues have the opportunity to fine-tune their operations and refocus on long-term goals to build their businesses.  - [How to Take Advantage of Live Nation’s 2023 Concert Week Promotion](https://prism.fm/blog/uncategorized/how-to-take-advantage-of-live-nations-2023-concert-week-promotion/): Live Nation's Concert Week was one of the success stories of live music in 2022. With more than 2.2 million tickets sold, the event reached more fans than in 2018 or 2019 and paved the way for a nationwide celebration of live music. But Live Nation isn't the only promoter figuring out how to turn new fan expectations into enthusiasm. Many local and independent operators are also showing they know how to create the festival-like buzz fans are craving. - [Discover an Agency Game Changer for Partner Collaboration — Introducing Connected Show: Automated Import](https://prism.fm/blog/product-updates-news/discover-an-agency-game-changer-for-partner-collaboration-introducing-connected-show-automated-import/): It’s no secret that a key component of success in the live music industry is operational efficiency. At Prism, we’re extremely proud to announce our newest feature designed to take partner collaboration to the next level  — Connected Show: Automated Import. - [How Do Today’s Concert Promoters Find Artists?](https://prism.fm/blog/concerts/how-do-todays-concert-promoters-find-artists/): Being a concert promoter can be one of the most rewarding roles in live music management, but it's also one of the most varied and challenging. A passion for going where the music takes you is a must! However, we’ve noticed that the best promoters tend to balance passion and spontaneity with a bedrock of organizational skills. The beating heart of the gig, however, is finding the right acts to fit your goals and abilities. There’s no guaranteed path to success, but a versatile approach based on excellent networking skills can help you locate the musicians in need of your expertise. - [Marketing Concerts at Small and Large Venues: Key Differences To Know](https://prism.fm/blog/uncategorized/marketing-concerts-at-small-and-large-venues/): The versatility of live music continues to be one of the hallmarks of the music industry. While the biggest events tend to get the most publicity, audiences can often feel the strength of live music at the most intimate of local venues, where they come to make a closer connection with their favorite artists. As live concerts have successfully reemerged, music venues must aim to ensure that the reignition of fan support translates into packed houses and eager calls for encores. - [How To Go From Independent Booking Agent to Building a Boutique Agency](https://prism.fm/blog/music-agents/how-to-go-from-independent-booking-agent-to-building-a-boutique-agency/): Establishing an independent booking agency is no easy feat. It requires meticulous attention to detail and top-notch organization in the fiercely competitive live music industry. But for many, running a one-person operation is just the beginning, and the ultimate goal is to transform it into a successful boutique agency capable of expanding into new territories. Unfortunately, the prospect of scaling up can seem overwhelming, causing many agents to abandon their aspirations. - [Tips for Creating the Essential Concert Promoter Business Plan](https://prism.fm/blog/live-music-events/tips-for-creating-the-essential-concert-promoter-business-plan/): But you don't want to create just any concert promoter business plan. You want it to be strong, optimized, and supported by a platform that will elevate your concert-promoting capabilities. Keep reading for the top tips every concert promoter needs when creating the ultimate business plan. - [Unlock the Power of Data Insights with Enhanced Data Tracking from Prism](https://prism.fm/blog/product-updates-news/unlock-the-power-of-data-insights-with-enhanced-data-tracking-from-prism/): At Prism, we understand the importance of data insights in driving success in the live music and events industry. That's why we're proud to announce the launch of Enhanced Data Tracking. - [Prism Launches a Bulk Email Feature for Booking Agencies: Mail Merge](https://prism.fm/blog/uncategorized/prism-launches-a-bulk-email-feature-for-booking-agencies-mail-merge/): Here at Prism we pride ourselves on listening to our customers and consistently pumping out technology to unlock incredible efficiencies for the teams around the country making live music happen. - [What to Expect from the Concert and Event Promotion Industry in 2023](https://prism.fm/blog/insights/what-to-expect-from-the-event-promotion-and-concert-industry/): If 2022 was the year of record inflation and uncertainty in live music and elsewhere, 2023 promises to be the opening act of a complex but promising future. With demand for shows very high and supply chain issues showing signs of easing, the concert and event promotion industry is filled with new opportunities for music professionals. But what's the best way to compete in an evolving industry that is never going back to the way it was? - [How to Capitalize on the Rise of Co-Promotion in Live Music](https://prism.fm/blog/events/how-to-capitalize-on-the-rise-of-co-promotion-in-live-music/): Collaboration has always been a fundamental part of the music business, yet now it's more important than ever. With shifting market dynamics and a rush of enthusiasm for live music post-Covid, co-promotion events are a staple of the new normal. Even for the independent operator used to handling all ends of the music management business, the right co-promoter can ease the pressure, spread out risk, and guarantee the resources to make it all fall into place. - [How to Set S.M.A.R.T. Goals for the Growth of Live Music Venues](https://prism.fm/blog/venue-insights/how-to-set-s-m-a-r-t-goals-for-the-growth-of-live-music-venues/): The complexity of today's live music world can feel overwhelming for even the most tried and tested industry insiders. Venue owners have to navigate an increasingly challenging marketplace, all while finding new marketing opportunities and operating leaner. Mapping out an achievable plan has never been more critical for music venues hoping to thrive in the competitive landscape we find ourselves in. - [Tips for Booking Agents to Keep Track of Financials and Artists](https://prism.fm/blog/music-agents/tips-for-booking-agents-to-keep-track-of-artists-and-financials/): The shakeup of live music in the last few years has ushered in an era of rapidly shifting industry dynamics. While music professionals scramble to figure out how to tap into new revenue streams and maintain clients, staying organized on the bookkeeping side has never been more critical to success. Booking agents who have a handle on the business fundamentals and use the best management tools and systems will be in an excellent position to take advantage of the new normal of live music. - [Tips for Setting Growth Goals for Your Agency](https://prism.fm/blog/best-practices/tips-for-setting-growth-goals-for-your-agency/): As with many industries, certain time-tested methods have proven themselves to be essential in growing a successful music agency. Some of these strategies include developing a deep understanding of the agency's music genre, advancing its reputation industry-wide as being reliable, professional, and well-organized, and last but not least, growing an agency by networking and making the right connections that will help the agency and its clients succeed.    - [Prism Launches First-Ever Co-Pro System](https://prism.fm/blog/product-updates-news/game-changer-prism-launches-first-ever-co-pro-system/): At Prism, we’re proud of how closely we partner with venues, promoters and booking agencies   to serve the unique needs of the live music industry. Now, after a lot of partner requests, exploration and testing we’re excited to share with you the world's first Co-Pro system! Our latest add-on premium feature takes the innovative and complex business model of co-pros in live music events and makes it super easy to execute on. - [How to Build Powerful Connections Between Artists, Venues, and Other Agencies](https://prism.fm/blog/artist-management/how-to-build-powerful-connections-between-artists-venues-and-other-agencies/): The music industry has never been more valuable, and yet many live-concert venues are struggling to find a lane in a complicated post-pandemic world. Even with more opportunities than ever to connect musicians with fans, laying the groundwork for successful shows can feel nearly impossible without the right tools and outlook. Despite the complexity, however, motivated booking agents now have plenty of opportunities to play outsized roles in the still-recovering scene of live music. - [Key Elements for Successfully Growing a Booking Agency](https://prism.fm/blog/best-practices/elements-for-successfully-growing-a-booking-agency/): Booking agents often perform a thankless job that happens mostly in the shadows. While agents are typically racing around hammering out details and putting out small fires, the best agents hide the brush strokes and make it seem like it's all just part of the plan. At the end of the day, successful agencies do whatever needs to be done to keep the musical talent happy and ensure the show goes on. - [How to Structure Deals with Artists for Your Agency](https://prism.fm/blog/music-agents/how-to-structure-deals-with-artists-for-your-agency/): Finding the sweet spot between event promotion expenses and revenue from ticket sales is the secret to generating a profit as an agency. The COVID-19 epidemic virtually affected all four corners of the world. The entertainment and music industries have incurred severe losses due to closed theaters, canceled tours, increased health constraints, and home-bound music fans. - [Standing Out in Crowded Live Music Venue Markets](https://prism.fm/blog/venue-insights/standing-out-in-crowded-live-music-venue-markets/): There's no denying that live music generates a unique set of emotions that can't be experienced by simply listening to recordings. Live performances are often more interactive and give listeners a chance to discover new music and artists. Additionally, live venues offer a sense of community since listeners are surrounded by others who share their love of music.  - [Should You Start Your Own Talent Booking Agency? – Prism.fm](https://prism.fm/blog/events/should-you-start-your-own-talent-booking-agency/): The digital age has inherently quadrupled the ability to scout for talent, bringing recognition to new faces each and every day. Stumbling across the next skilled artist through social media platforms and online presence is easier than ever. Discovery is possible literally at the click of a button, and putting a meeting with an artist on your agenda can be done from anywhere in the world.  - [Introducing Prism Deal Tracker](https://prism.fm/blog/product-updates-news/introducing-prism-deal-tracker/): As a Prism user, you are likely already taking advantage of all of the awesome features of our platform, like easy calendar management, instant offer generation, and revenue and expense tracking. Now, you can leverage Deal Tracker as a convenient tool to track all of your deals in one place along with these other features. It’s yet another feature we’ve built into our platform to give promoters, agencies and venues one source of truth and real-time data at their fingertips. - [A Quick Guide to Concert Budget Breakdowns for Music Venues](https://prism.fm/blog/venue-insights/concert-budget-breakdowns-for-music-venues/): A live event is one of the best ways to showcase musical talent. It serves as a platform to have one’s voice heard — literally and figuratively — and share feelings and experiences. After all, music has always been an outlet for self-expression. - [What to Consider in Live Music Venue Design](https://prism.fm/blog/venue-insights/what-to-consider-in-live-music-venue-design/): Whether you have an intimate hole-in-the-wall or a massive theater, it’s essential to consider your live music venue design carefully. Single-use venues are quickly becoming a thing of the past, and your venue needs to adapt to modern times. - [How to Find Bands for a Venue: Building Agent Relationships](https://prism.fm/blog/venue-insights/how-to-find-bands-to-play-at-your-venue/): Live music is the heartbeat of any great venue. Whether you’re running a small club or a mid-sized concert hall, booking the right bands can make or break your reputation. But with countless artists vying for spots and industry connections being everything, knowing how to find a band for a venue isn’t just about scrolling through social media or hoping the perfect act stumbles your way. - [What to Consider When Starting a Live Music Venue](https://prism.fm/blog/venue-insights/what-to-consider-when-starting-a-live-music-venue/): Whether you already own a bar or restaurant and want to attract more customers, or you believe there’s room in the local market for a new space, starting a live music venue is always an enticing idea.  - [Tips for an Effective Concert Ticket Pricing Strategy](https://prism.fm/blog/events/tips-for-an-effective-concert-ticket-pricing-strategy/): For many, this looks like indulging in a concert ticket at a price they wouldn’t have paid before COVID-19. Still, the goal is to pack the venue for every event. The trick for live music event planners is to create an optimized concert ticket pricing strategy. - [Navigating Concert Venue Staffing as Venues Reopen](https://prism.fm/blog/venue-insights/navigating-concert-venue-staffing/): Although unemployment rates have been at their lowest since March 2020 (4% as of January 2022), many venues are struggling to find the people they need to ensure their events go smoothly. What post-COVID hardships with concert venue staffing need to be considered? - [Five Great Ideas for Music Festival Marketing Campaigns](https://prism.fm/blog/live-music-events/great-ideas-for-music-festival-marketing-campaigns/): Look at South by Southwest (SXSW). SXSW is a behemoth in the festival world, and their popularity has grown to the point where they now host an annual conference to discuss breakthroughs in tech, film, culture, and music. The 2025 SXSW Conference takes place from March 7-15 in Austin, Texas, and the company is still pulling out all the stops for advertising the event. The dedication of SXSW’s team should inspire you to re-examine your music festival marketing campaigns. - [Prism and Etix Announce Integration Partnership To Instantly Update Show Financials In Real Time](https://prism.fm/blog/product-updates-news/prism-and-etix-announce-integration-partnership/): Prism.fm, the leader in live music management technology, has announced a partnership with Etix, the largest independent ticketing company in North America. - [Music Venue Management: Moving Past Spreadsheets to Track Concert Budgets](https://prism.fm/blog/venue-insights/moving-past-spreadsheets-to-track-concert-budgets/): After industry professionals took the time to figure out how to hold live shows and generate revenue safely in 2021, the new year holds a great deal of promise for a more normal landscape of live music. Still, as many venue owners make necessary changes to the customer-facing environment, they neglect to update their internal strategies. For instance, although venues are welcoming fans back, management hasn’t taken the opportunity to refresh its tactics for tracking concert budgets. - [A Booking Agency Platform Built for Live Music](https://prism.fm/blog/live-music-events/a-booking-agency-platform-built-for-live-music/): The modern booking agent is expected to know their way around technology. Some of the top skills required for booking agents include proficiency in email communication and design, virtual client engagement, maintaining the company website, managing media, including social media, outreach, and coordinating travel arrangements. Managing these various tasks for a broad roster can be difficult without an efficient and versatile booking agency platform. - [What You Need to Know About Music Venue Profitability](https://prism.fm/blog/venue-insights/what-you-need-to-know-about-music-venue-profitability/): After the year and a half we’ve had, it’s a relief to be able to host live music events again. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, venue owners across the country were under immense pressure to stay afloat when revenues were next to nothing while fixed costs still needed to be paid. Though music concerts and other live events are back, it’s not the same. With social distancing requirements in place and the constant need for professional disinfecting services, profit margins are thinner than ever and music venue profitability is a concern. - [What Is a Venue Promoter Agreement and Why You Need One](https://prism.fm/blog/venue-insights/what-is-a-venue-promoter-agreement-and-why-you-need-one/): But first, you may need to ensure that you have all the legal instruments necessary to keep you safe as you look forward to an eventful year. A venue promoter agreement is among the first documents live music venue owners and entertainment promoters should sign. - [Prism Launches Much Anticipated Agency Platform](https://prism.fm/blog/product-updates-news/prism-launches-much-anticipated-agency-platform/): Prism, the leader in live music management software, has launched its highly anticipated agency platform.  Utilizing a recent $8M Series A fund, Prism adds agency support to its management platform offerings.   - [9 Benefits of Artist Booking Agency Software](https://prism.fm/blog/event-management-software/9-benefits-of-artist-booking-agency-software/): The market is very competitive, and several agencies out there want to provide top-notch services to their clients. As a result, it’s imperative to use effective artist booking agency software for your business instead of managing everything manually and leaving room for goof ups. - [How to Find the Best Artist Booking Platform for Live Music](https://prism.fm/blog/live-music-events/how-to-find-the-best-artist-booking-platform-for-live-music/): After being cooped up inside for a year and a half, people just want to get out and do something. Many people are turning toward live music events even when money is tight. As a music event professional, this is fantastic news for you. But you need a solution — a sophisticated artist booking platform — to help you cater to the flood of fans. - [Concert Venue Settlement Best Practices](https://prism.fm/blog/venue-insights/concert-venue-settlement-best-practices/): The band just wrapped, the crowd is still in a frenzy, and now it's time for the final touches of an epic concert. That means smoothing out the concert venue settlement process to the point it's hardly noticeable. For a music pro who just put everything into the show, getting paid correctly and on time is the path to reliability and trust. - [Music Venue Management Software in 2025: Busy Venue Picks](https://prism.fm/blog/event-management-software/event-management-software-for-music-venues/): The live music industry is experiencing unprecedented growth, with revenues reaching over 33 billion U.S. dollars in 2023, representing a 25 percent increase from the previous year. Yet despite this remarkable expansion, venue operators face mounting pressure to deliver exceptional experiences while managing increasingly complex operations. The solution lies in choosing the right music venue management software from the growing field of available options - technology that transforms chaotic workflows into streamlined systems that actually work. - [Prism Announces $8 Million Series A Funding Round to Scale Market Share With Agency Platform Launch](https://prism.fm/blog/product-updates-news/prism-announces-8-million-series-a-funding/): Prism, the leader in live music management software, announced today it has raised an $8 million Series A funding round led by Austin-based Stephen Cook. Cook is joined with strong support from Jay Jensen and participation from other existing investors. With this round, Prism has raised a total of $11.2 million to date. - [Venue Management Software: Why You Need It NOW](https://prism.fm/blog/venue-insights/venue-management-software-why-you-need-it-now/): Hey, you. Yeah, you, the venue manager with the desk covered in sticky notes and the Excel spreadsheet pulled up on your computer. The one who has to switch from system to system to get information or communicate with stakeholders. It’s time to make a change and take a look at venue management software. - [6 Tips to Build a Solid Business Plan for Your Live Music Venue](https://prism.fm/blog/venue-insights/tips-to-build-a-solid-business-plan-for-your-live-music-venue/): Fortunately, getting it done is relatively straightforward. Let's break down the key components of a business plan for live music venues, before digging into some of the best practices you can follow to build and optimize your plan. - [How to Manage a Music Artist the Easy Way](https://prism.fm/blog/artist-management/manage-music-artist-easy-way/): Even the coolest rock stars make mistakes. Hey, we’re all human, and it’s just an inevitable part of life. But with the proper tools and anticipation, mistakes on your end and theirs can be avoided. Decision-making and problem prediction are fundamental aspects of learning how to manage a music artist. - [How to Promote a Concert by Leveraging a Software Tool?](https://prism.fm/blog/insights/how-to-promote-a-concert-the-right-way/): Wondering how to promote a concert to get more people in the door? There’s a lot that goes into concert promotion.It involves booking talent, securing venues, and marketing the show. Concert promoters work with several people, among them: - [Music Artist Management: How Technology Is Making It Easier](https://prism.fm/blog/music-agents/music-artist-management-how-technology-is-making-it-easier/): Successful music artist management is no easy feat. As a venue owner, you could be juggling multiple artists in one night—and each artist has their contract terms, pricing, demands, and schedules. With the air of desperation surrounding people wanting to get back on stage or back into seats, artists are looking to book shows as soon as humanly possible. - [Signs You Need a Venue Management System](https://prism.fm/blog/venue-insights/signs-you-need-a-venue-management-system/): It's no secret that managing a venue means handling dozens of tasks every day. Therefore, a venue manager's role is difficult to describe in just a few words. It’s even more complicated to determine if they need a venue management system to cover it all. Can you relate?  - [How to Become a Competitive Music Booking Agent](https://prism.fm/blog/music-agents/how-to-become-a-competitive-music-booking-agent/): The music booking agent role is one of the most challenging ones in the live music industry. Not only do you have to work around the clock, delivering multiple tasks, but you also have to become attractive to the best performers. After all, if your roster succeeds, you do, and you may bring in more talent to grow your business. - [Concert Cost Breakdown: Where Promoters Are Spending](https://prism.fm/blog/insights/concert-cost-breakdown-where-promoters-are-spending/): But before you start ranting about greedy promoters, let's dig into the real concert cost breakdown. Every dollar from that pricey ticket gets sliced and diced among dozens of people and expenses before anyone sees a profit. Understanding the complex event cost breakdown is essential for anyone working in live music, as managing this intricate web of costs requires serious organization and the right tools to stay profitable. - [Replace Legacy Tools with a Show Management System](https://prism.fm/blog/insights/replace-legacy-tools-with-show-management-system-opens-in-a-new-tab/): Are you looking to up your game in the live event management industry? You’re possibly still relying on manual spreadsheets, disorganized emails, and labor-intensive note-taking on anything you can find to write on. There would be nothing wrong with spreadsheets – if there were nothing better to replace it. But, there are newer show management systems out there to make your job much easier. - [Choosing The Best Event Management App](https://prism.fm/blog/insights/choosing-the-best-event-management-app/): Are you realizing you need an event management app to help you do your job faster? It’s no surprise. Manually tracking calendars, venues, offers, settlements, financials, and communications probably takes up way too much of your time.  - [The Case for Music Festival Software in Pandemic Times](https://prism.fm/blog/insights/the-case-for-music-festival-software-even-during-a-pandemic/): Until early 2020, live music festivals steadily increased in popularity, particularly for millennials who generally prefer to spend their money on experiences rather than accumulating material items. They were driving ticket sales and the number of music festivals across the country.  - [How to Improve Event Management with Event Ticketing Software](https://prism.fm/blog/insights/how-to-improve-event-management-with-ticketing-software/): As an independent event manager or promoter, you have to work smarter than ever. You may not be able to compete with the national and international powerhouses regarding finances, resources, or influence, but you can implement technology to enable your success., This is where a powerful integrated event ticketing software comes in.  - [What’s Missing from Your Tour Management Software?](https://prism.fm/blog/insights/whats-missing-from-your-tour-management-software/): Tour management software is critical to maintaining and increasing your productivity. Most of the available tools will offer separate ways to keep track of your “to-do’s” and “done” tasks. But how good are they at helping you to visualize historical or projected data for a better sense of control over your time and resources?  - [Productivity Hacks for Concert Promoters](https://prism.fm/blog/insights/productivity-hacks-for-concert-promoters/): As a concert promoter, you may have noticed there are dozens of tasks on your plate every day. Therefore, it’s difficult to say in just one sentence what concert promoters do.  According to the Berklee School of Music, “They independently plan, market, and sometimes produce live concerts, including single shows, tours, festivals, and special events (...) They assume all of the financial risks for the shows they put on.” - [Easing Promoter’s Workloads with Event Promotion Tools](https://prism.fm/blog/insights/event-promotion-tools-easing-the-promoters-workloads/): As a promoter, your life is likely never dull. Working with agents, venues, and artists to make sure everything is just right for the show keeps you busy with endless tasks. The right event promotion tool could help, easing the pains of coordinating, time management, and budgeting, among others. - [Blair Garner and The Mulehouse: 7 Tips for Reopening Venues After COVID](https://prism.fm/blog/interviews/7-tips-for-reopening-venues/): Blair Garner, a highly regarded radio host from Texas, decided that early 2020 was an excellent time to start working on an ambitious venue project in Columbia, Tennessee. Then, the pandemic happened and forced The Mulehouse to reinvent itself before opening it to the public. How did Garner and his team go through the challenges owners face when reopening venues after COVID? - [How Do You Plan A Concert Checklist?](https://prism.fm/blog/insights/how-do-you-plan-a-concert-checklist/): Event venues are starting to come to life everywhere. As a promoter or a venue manager, you are possibly wondering how do you plan a concert checklist these days? Before the pandemic, there were many areas to consider: from budgeting to calendars; from supplier information to sales stats. Now, you have additional safety and hygiene variables to consider. - [Is Artist Management Software Worth It?](https://prism.fm/blog/insights/is-artist-management-software-worth-it/): In a given month, how much time do you spend managing holds and booking shows? Artist management could be a full-time job, and for many venue managers, it is. Even with the consequences of COVID-19, the venues that have found a way to remain open are trying to fill their calendars with acts well into the future in the hopes that things will get back to business as usual sooner than later. - [Secrets to Better Music Venue Booking](https://prism.fm/blog/insights/secrets-to-better-music-venue-booking/): If you’re the only music venue in town, you don’t have to worry much about competition. Your biggest challenge is getting good talent to pass through your town. On the other hand, most cities are full of music venues. You’re just one of many. So how do you get better at music venue booking to build your brand and attract artists and fans? - [How to Book Bands for a Venue](https://prism.fm/blog/insights/how-to-book-bands-for-a-venue/): Do you want to create the music event of the year? Or maybe you are more focused on bringing fans a consistently good lineup each month. Fans want to live music experiences more than ever, but balancing what fans want and turning a profit is not easy. Too many venues lose money before the concert even starts.  - [Interview with EXIT/IN Nashville on Thriving and Surviving During COVID](https://prism.fm/blog/venue-insights/interview-with-exit-in-nashville/): One of the hardest-hit industries during COVID-19 has been the live music industry. Experts estimate as many as 90% of venues will close because of the pandemic. Still, many venues are doing whatever it takes to survive and learning that survival has some silver linings.  - [Ticketing Platforms: How Venues Can Boost Ticket Sales](https://prism.fm/blog/insights/how-venues-can-boost-ticket-sales/): Ask any venue owner or manager what their number one goal is and you’ll likely hear something along the lines of “sell as many tickets as possible.” Of course, a lot goes into whether that will actually happen. For instance, a venue has to book shows people want to see. And in order to make a profit, they have to not only sell as many tickets as possible through a ticketing platform but sell them at a cost that provides enough margin to cover all of their costs and still have some left over. - [What You Need to Know About Event Management for Music Concerts](https://prism.fm/blog/insights/event-management-for-music-concerts/): With COVID-19 still top of mind, we may not be able to go to live music concerts anytime soon, but you know as soon as venues are given the green light, people will be coming in droves. We always knew people love live music. Nothing can replace the feeling, the sound, the energy of a live show and there are studies that prove it has a positive effect on people. It’s electrifying and people miss it. - [Can Music Business Software Save Your Venue?](https://prism.fm/blog/insights/can-music-business-software-save-your-venue/): For anyone outside of the live music business, the industry appears sexy, adventurous and just plain cool. Insiders know there’s a whole lot of work, thin margins and not a lot of sleep that goes into putting on concerts night after night. Throw in COVID-19 and the live music industry doesn’t look so dope. In fact, the virus has shut down live music for the most part and everyone is standing by to see what happens next. Music business software may not even be on a venue’s radar. - [Critical Tips for Rock Concert Planning (it’s not what you think)](https://prism.fm/blog/insights/critical-tips-on-how-to-rock-concert-planning/): Ok, we get it. Concerts are all on hold right now. COVID-19 has turned our world upside down and one of the countless tragedies in all of it is the loss of things that make us happy - like concerts. Concert planning may not be a priority right now until the pandemic is under control, but you can use this time to sharpen your planning skills, build your fan base, and be ready when the curtain goes up. - [How to Find the Best Venue Management Software](https://prism.fm/blog/insights/how-to-find-the-best-venue-management-system/): A venue management software automates and streamlines the activities related to managing a venue, while also providing transparency into and organization of the many moving parts of operating a venue. Venues may be a dedicated music or concert hall, auditorium, hotels, conference centers, theaters, arenas, outdoor amphitheaters and spaces, or virtually anywhere a crowd can gather. - [Automate Venue Management. Get Your Life Back.](https://prism.fm/blog/venue-insights/automate-venue-management/): Question: how many hours a day do you spend on venue management? If you’re like the majority of venue owners and managers, most of your day is spent doing the same general tasks over and over again to keep operations flowing. You’re using spreadsheets, Google docs, or even pen and paper to manage bands, holds, calendars, settlements, and finances. It’s a bit chaotic, not exactly organized, and you’re tied to your desk to do a lot of it. - [Concert Planning: Is There an Easier Way to Rebook Shows?](https://prism.fm/blog/venue-insights/concert-planning-is-there-an-easier-way-to-rebook-shows/): There’s no doubt about it: COVID-19 has completely screwed with concert calendars. Whether you have a small venue or book major shows, we know your life hasn’t been easy as you try to rebook. Concert planning may be a mess, but it doesn’t have to be if you use process management software that’s built specifically for venues. - [4 Reasons You Need A Talent Booking App](https://prism.fm/blog/venue-insights/4-reasons-you-need-a-talent-booking-app/): If you’re used to doing things the same way because it’s the way things have always been done, why not shake things up a bit? Forbes says companies that stay static don’t succeed and reference Blockbuster as a prime example. Resisting change is a surefire way to become irrelevant. - [Music Venue Booking During a Crisis](https://prism.fm/blog/venue-insights/music-venue-booking-during-a-crisis/): The COVID-19 pandemic has taught our country a lot, and we will be learning new lessons for years to come. One of the hardest-hit industries has been the entertainment industry, forced to close doors for months to adhere to federal and state social distancing and stay-at-home guidelines. As a promoter or venue owner, you no doubt felt blindsided. Never before in our country’s history have we lost so much in such a short period of time. - [Virtual Event Promotion: What We’ve Learned](https://prism.fm/blog/venue-insights/virtual-event-promotion/): One of the many things we’ve learned through the COVID-19 pandemic is that life can still go on, if only virtually. It’s incredible to see how quickly schools, businesses, support groups and entertainment venues were able to go from live to virtual in a matter of days. What’s equally impressive is how rapidly the public adopted these new forms of connection, revealing an important fact: if you do virtual right, people will still come. - [Video Marketing with Purpose: Creating Unique and Fun Videos for Your Venue or Show’s Social Pages](https://prism.fm/blog/best-practices/video-marketing-with-purpose/): One of the most critical components of marketing today is video. Video has become the most dominating aspect of social media and digital platforms. And it is one of the most powerful marketing tools for venues, bands, musicians and performers. Whether you’re promoting upcoming concerts or your venue, you’re most likely turning to digital platforms such as Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. Incorporating video into your online content can make a difference for your marketing efforts. In this guide, digital media expert Zena Hanna, who is the founder and CEO of Zena Digital Group, shares her expertise on how to effectively leverage video marketing for your concert or venue. - [Is Live Streaming a Concert or Event a Viable Source of Revenue?](https://prism.fm/blog/best-practices/is-live-streaming-concert-or-event-viable-source-of-revenue/): To stream or not to stream? - [Face Saving Tips for Turning Negative Venue Reviews Into Box Office Sales](https://prism.fm/blog/best-practices/turning-negative-reviews-into-box-office-sales/): Whether a harsh one-star rating or a mildly dissatisfied three-star experience, a negative review lying atop your Google or Yelp page can often dissuade potential new patrons from visiting your venue, but only if you don't respond with tact, patience, and a little bit of charm. Sourced from two venues who've bounced back from negative reviews time and time again, here are some tips to address negative reviews of your venue and ensure future visits from not just new consumers, but possibly the initial negative reviewer. - [Growing Indy’s Music Scene: Interview with Josh Baker of MOKB Presents](https://prism.fm/blog/interviews/interview-with-josh-baker/): If you’ve ever been to a show in Indianapolis, chances are that Josh Baker was the man who booked it. As the main showrunner for the event promotion team MOKB Presents, founder of the Indy event guide Do317 Media, and the president of the prominent Indy venue HI-FI, Baker has been building a small music empire for Indiana residents to enjoy. Prism President and Co-Founder Steve Sternschein recently invited Baker for a conversation about how he has managed to grow HI-FI into a venue that hosts 300 shows per year, how he started his own music festival, and how he has influenced the Indy music scene.  - [It’s Always Necessary: Interview with Ric Leichtung of AdHoc Presents](https://prism.fm/blog/interviews/interview-with-ric-leichtung-of-adhoc/): Ric Leichtung is the founder and events director of AdHoc, a concert promoter and publication based in Brooklyn, New York. AdHoc concentrates on three markets—New York, Detroit, and Raleigh, North Carolina—and promotes more than 1,000 events a year. - [The bare minimum you need to know about naloxone](https://prism.fm/blog/culture/the-bare-minimum-you-need-to-know-about-naloxone/): Over the last month, media outlets everywhere attempted to put the last decade into perspective—reflecting on the changes in our culture, political landscape, and beyond. Unfortunately, one of the stories that dominated the headlines through the latter half of the 2010s was the staggering toll caused by the opioid crisis. The Center for Disease Control reported over 47,000 deaths caused by opioids in 2017 and published a 2018 report that showed fentanyl had surpassed heroin as the drug most frequently involved in overdose deaths in the US. As the crisis has continued to impact communities across the country, a growing movement of musicians and venues has started to take the lead in the effort to create safe spaces in their local music scenes.  - [Need-to-Know Tips about Social Media Marketing for Events and Venues](https://prism.fm/blog/best-practices/venue-social-media-need-to-know-tips-for-2020/): A decade feels like a lifetime in the fast-paced world of social media. To put it in perspective, 2010 was the year Instagram and Pinterest were launched, and Snapchat didn't even exist. As 2020 starts, a strong social media presence is indispensable for businesses of all kinds, with venue owners and concert promoters being no exception. While the ever-changing tides of best practices can seem tricky to navigate, applying just a few of the top trends to your daily usage can make a huge difference in attracting, serving, and retaining concert-goers. - [Dayton Rising: Interview with Victoria Theatre Association’s Ty Sutton](https://prism.fm/blog/interviews/interview-with-victoria-theatre-associations-ty-sutton/): Ty Sutton is the President and CEO of the Victoria Theatre Association, a nonprofit based in Dayton, OH that owns and operates multiple performing arts venues, ranging from a 199-seat black box theater to a 2500-seat performing arts center. Prism’s first performing arts client employs 100 people across different venues and buys talent for about 150-200 shows per year. Sutton recently sat down for a conversation with Prism President & Co-Founder Steve Sternschein for a candid and informative discussion about his background and the best goals for the business side of running a nonprofit organization that’s trying to expand from selling 400,000-500,000 tickets a year to 700,000. - [How To Ensure You Are Booking Music Acts That Aren’t Problematic](https://prism.fm/blog/best-practices/how-to-make-sure-the-acts-you-book-arent-problematic/): It’s a story heard time and time again: A prominent venue was set to host a performer or festival, but showgoers quickly voiced their objections to the artist or event’s social stances. In response, the venue either stayed committed to putting on the show and further angered showgoers, or it canceled the show and assured showgoers their concerns were heard. Both your reputation and your bottom line will benefit when your venue avoids this dilemma—here’s how to make sure the acts you book aren’t problematic. - [Promoting Your Next Event On Snapchat](https://prism.fm/blog/best-practices/promoting-your-next-event-on-snapchat/): Technology and the rise of algorithms continues to change how we interact on social media. The digitization of the marketing, pr, and advertising sector has made competition on these platforms increasingly tough. Organic reach on Facebook, and even Instagram is no longer really possible. Meanwhile, both consumers and music fans have become increasingly smarter, not only knowing when they’re being “sold” to, but also skipping over advertised posts altogether. So in this oversaturated landscape how do you reach existing and potential fans for your next tour or event? While emerging networks such as TikTok and Triller have yet to allow advertisement on their platforms, there is one often overlooked network with a highly engaged community - Snapchat.  - [Top 5 Venues in Brooklyn That Offer More Than Just Live Music](https://prism.fm/blog/culture/top-5-venues-in-brooklyn-that-offer-more-than-just-live-music/): Music venues are a sanctuary space that most of us find comfort and a sense a home at when visiting them. Whether it be an intimate gig or a large arena, there’s a space out there to cater to everyone's needs when seeing their favorite artists. In some cases, music venues go above and beyond and offer features beyond live music. So whether you have friends who wants to join you at a show but aren’t as into the music, or you’re looking for new venues to explore, then these spots in Brooklyn may be the destination for your next night out!  - [Concert Safety Tips: Keeping Your Event Venue Safe & Secure](https://prism.fm/blog/best-practices/concert-safety-tips/): Bright lights, artists coming to life onstage, energized crowds singing along to every word — a lot goes into the experience of a memorable show. A lot, however, can also go wrong at these shows. When it comes to running a venue, making sure every attendee has a fantastic time from beginning to end is top priority. One of the best and most important ways to ensure that a concertgoer leaves with only the most positive memories from a show is creating a safe experience for all involved.  - [Addiction Resources for the Nightlife Industry](https://prism.fm/blog/culture/addiction-resources-for-nightlife-industry/): It’s no secret that the performing arts is one of the most (if not the most) at-risk industries for addiction considering the close proximity and constancy of drugs and alcohol, which have been glamorized for decades as a whole third of a credo many in the entertainment world still live by: “sex, drugs, and rock’n’ roll.” But while various documentaries, “artist tell-all” biographies, and landmark institutions like VH1’s Behind the Music have shed light on the real stories behind the dangers and tribulations of famous people’s lives through the lens of their struggles and losses, there’s been more limited exposition of how these issues affect venue staff and service workers behind the scenes. - [Pre-Show: How To Engage With The Audience At Your Venue](https://prism.fm/blog/best-practices/pre-show-how-to-engage-with-the-audience-at-your-venue/): We’ve all been there. We’re so excited to see the artist playing that we arrive to the venue early. Like pre-opening act, merch table just got set up early.  Depending on the size of the act in town, this could also involve waiting in line outside - in the cold or rain, until the doors open. And as we file into the venue, we are greeted by silence. We stand around, sometimes waiting alone for our friends who are always running late. As the sound of clinking glass soundtracks the space, we decide to get a beer at the bar. More and more people enter the space, and together, we wait. In silence… at a concert. - [How To Promote Your Tour through Twitter](https://prism.fm/blog/best-practices/how-to-promote-your-tour-through-twitter/): As users shy away from using Facebook in their daily lives, more and more bands, venues, and promoters have fled to Twitter in order to help promote their shows and tours. It might seem weird -- tweeting can seem like sending a thought into a giant void, but in reality, there are a lot of ways to get known on the site, and help your tour attract an audience. Many bands and venues have been using twitter to help promote shows and tours, which can make or break a successful turnout. These days, Facebook is making it harder and harder to reach a wider audience, whereas Twitter helps you reach millions of users all with one tweet. - [From Cornfields to Downtown: John Ugolini Tells the Story of Kickstand Productions](https://prism.fm/blog/culture/story-of-kickstand-productions/): John Ugolini launched his company, Kickstand Productions, after graduating from Northern Illinois University in 2004. He learned the ropes booking rooms in secondary markets in central Illinois before moving into Chicago about a decade ago. His calendar is packed—he often has multiple events running each night—and the shows he promotes represent a wide range of genres and styles. - [How to Play Music on Your Venue’s PA (Without Getting Sued)](https://prism.fm/blog/best-practices/how-to-play-music-on-your-venues-pa-without-getting-sued/): Try to picture complete silence between the opener and headliner at your venue. Difficult, right? It’s not just crowd clatter that contributes to that between-set buzz—your venue likely plays recorded music over the PA as showgoers get hyped for the next act. And if your venue has a bar or restaurant area, chances are you’re playing background music there too. - [Staying Plugged In: The 5 Best Music Industry Podcasts](https://prism.fm/blog/best-practices/5-best-music-industry-podcasts/): Music promotion is, to put it mildly, not an exact science. Already a wildly unpredictable gambit, the last 20 years or so have seen innumerable sea changes to the business of music promotion and venue ownership as the internet and social media turned our (and every other) business completely upside down. The ever-hectic world of music promo demands so much attention that it can be incredibly intimidating to know which of the seemingly endless facets of the industry you need to stay up-to-date with in the minimal “free time” those in our industry are allotted.  - [An Overview of Ticket Resale Then, Now, and Soon](https://prism.fm/blog/best-practices/an-overview-of-ticket-resale-then-now-and-soon/): Although many venues, artists, and primary ticket sellers have taken umbrage with secondary ticket sellers, ticket resale is here to stay. The multi-billion-dollar resale industry comprises a wide variety of competing entities that resell tickets first purchased elsewhere, often for much higher prices than the original cost. Although the industry sometimes gives concertgoers a second shot at getting into sold-out shows, some parties on secondary platforms sell fake tickets to unknowing fans, whose concert experience is ruined when they arrive at your venue’s door and can’t get in. - [How to Promote a Concert: A Digital Advertising Primer](https://prism.fm/blog/best-practices/how-to-promote-a-concert-a-digital-advertising-primer/): Obviously you want promote your show organically, link friends and fans of your band or venue page to score multiple Likes and on its own it will find its way into your other friends’ recommendations under “events you may like” or “popular with friends” suggestions. All staffers should coordinate and send the link around to build traffic and stay highlighted in people’s news feeds. Post the event link in all relevant Facebook groups on the subject and in the vicinity. Check for your local DIY music groups by state and city. If your venue has a business group in addition to a page, that’s a no-brainer for cross-promotion as well. - [CIVL – Chicago Independent Venue League](https://prism.fm/blog/culture/civl-chicago-independent-venue-league/): In cities around the world, once thriving independent art scenes are under siege by big corporations. A perfect case study of this fight comes in the form of Chicago’s music scene and its battle over a massive mixed-use development called Lincoln Yards. - [How to Promote a Concert: Accessing Arts Funding](https://prism.fm/blog/best-practices/how-to-promote-a-concert-accessing-arts-funding/): Most are aware that there are grants for funding local performing arts, but not everyone knows how to access them. It often depends on your location; the famous Red Rocks amphitheater has helped make Denver an enormous cultural hub for musical performance, which in turn led to fostering of the Denver Music Advancement Fund, as reported by this GrantNews article last summer. But not everyone who wants to know how to promote a concert and put on better shows knows where to look. Here are some resources and tips to see if you qualify as a venue, promoter, or talent buyer eligible for grant funding. - [From Apps to VR: New Live Music Technologies To Look Out For](https://prism.fm/blog/culture/from-apps-to-vr-new-live-music-technologies-to-look-out-for/): There was a time when the idea of incorporating "technology" into your concert venue meant making certain the strobe lights were plugged in. But there more ways than ever to enhance the concert experience these days, from speeding up the lines to virtual reality. Here are some of the top technology trends to look out for. - [Six Venues From Film and Television](https://prism.fm/blog/culture/six-venues-from-film-and-television/): From The Bronze on Buffy The Vampire Slayer to The Peach Pit on Beverly Hills, 90210 TV shows and films are filled with fake clubs where the music is never so loud that the characters can’t banter over it. But sometimes shows and films go for a bit of extra verisimilitude by shooting in real venues. Here’s a few of those venues from some of our favorite TVs and movies. - [How to Promote a Concert: Using Facebook Events](https://prism.fm/blog/best-practices/how-to-promote-a-concert-using-facebook-events/): In the vast and seemingly unending sea of content that is Facebook, it can be exceedingly difficult to stand out. It is not, however, the Sisyphian task it may seem on the surface. Facebook’s current status as most of the world’s digital town square (an estimated 35 million people view a Facebook event everyday and over 700 million do so each month) means it remains the best way to disseminate information about your show to a great deal of people very quickly—and for super cheap—provided you know what you’re doing.  - [A Brief and Semi-Complete History of Concert Photography](https://prism.fm/blog/culture/a-brief-and-semi-complete-history-of-concert-photography/): Photography was invented in 1822 by the French inventor Nicéphore Niépce. But as cool as it would have been to see actual images of lisztomania in action, the average photographic exposure in his newly invented device was between 8 hours and 2 days. So, our story of concert photography doesn’t start here. Instead, we have to fast forward. Through ever-increasing ability to take faster exposures. Though cameras shrinking from behemoth machines that would break a photographer’s back, should she try to haul them around a photo pit, to actual portable tools. To the 1960s—the time of sex, drugs, and extremely well-documented rock ‘n roll. - [Prioritizing Accessibility: Giving Everyone the Best Seat in the House](https://prism.fm/blog/best-practices/prioritizing-accessibility/): Although venues are legally required to make themselves accessible to disabled people, many disabled music lovers can recount plenty of times when they’ve felt unwelcome at shows. The law isn’t the only reason a good venue should ensure that anybody who wants to see its shows has the ability to do so—it’s just the right thing to do, not to mention a surefire way to boost ticket sales. - [Pitching Yourself to Promoters and Venues: A Guide for Artists](https://prism.fm/blog/best-practices/pitching-yourself-to-promoters-and-venues-a-guide-for-artists/): It should be simple enough for a musician to let a promoter know you want them to book you and why. That is, if there weren’t thousands of other artists doing that very same thing in emails to that very same person, all crowding for space in the same inbox (and concert calendar). If you hope to transcend being a needle in an increasingly large haystack, there are several ways you can stand out (in a good way) and book the shows you dream of playing, and here are some tried-and-true pointers. - [Six Venues Worth Traveling For](https://prism.fm/blog/culture/six-venues-worth-traveling-for/): Chances are if you’re a music fan, you’ve visited your local dive bar, concert hall, or mid-sized indie venue more than once. Which is cool—local landmarks, coupled with a brew and a ballad have been the basis of many memorable nights out, cool dinner party stories, and unlikely friendships. Why not take this memory-making recipe on the road? An epic venue can transform a good concert into a landmark event, or at the very least provide some additional Instagram candy. Here are a few that deserve a spot on your musical and travel bucket lists. - [How to Promote a Concert: Building Relationships with Local Press](https://prism.fm/blog/best-practices/how-to-promote-a-concert/): Booking the best calendar of events and assembling the best marketing plan will put any music promoter in good standing—but no business can truly thrive in a vacuum. You know how to promote a concert yourself, but getting third-party approval and buzz is the key to building a legitimate groundswell and building past that first wave of support. But venues and promoters can’t just decide they want to have a relationship with local press; there is no magic switch to flip. It takes a lot of heartfelt intentionality to lay the groundwork. - [It’s [Not] Only Rock ’N’ Roll: Creative, Venue-Filling Alternatives to DJs and Bands](https://prism.fm/blog/best-practices/creative-venue-filling-alternatives-to-djs-and-bands/): DJs and bands are great, but some venues and promoters are experimenting with creative alternatives to discover new audiences. One example—which gives new meaning to the term, “ridiculous”—is the Kaiju Big Battel. Part professional wrestling, part Japanese monster movie mayhem—think Godzilla, Mothra, King Ghidorah, Rodan, and things like that (Kaiju is Japanese for “mysterious beast”)—the Kaiju Big Battel pits an array of overblown characters against each other, in a ring, while crushing cardboard cities (and ostensibly killing their imaginary inhabitants).  - [How to Involve Radio in Your Promotional Strategy](https://prism.fm/blog/best-practices/how-to-involve-radio-in-your-venues-promotional-strategy/): It’s one thing to sponsor social media posts about your upcoming shows, but it’s another to engage directly with music lovers in your region. The music listeners in your community are the people most likely to go to shows, but venue staff doesn’t always directly interface with showgoers. To bridge this gap, consider working with organizations that do regularly interact with showgoers – namely, radio stations. - [Using Twitter to Grow Your Venue’s Following](https://prism.fm/blog/best-practices/using-twitter-to-grow-your-venues-following/): Social media is a dicey proposition for any business - trying to extend a hand from your company to customers that they can identify as a friend rather than an extension of the advertising barrage we all face daily. Luckily, concert venues are already meeting consumers halfway: Your venue is housing the music and performances they already know and love. Fans are built-in, you just have to make them feel at home. And if the brand’s show selection is impeccably curated, your venue may be able to hit the sweet spot, turning routine concertgoers into your regulars, who show up blind to see whatever cool experience is occurring there on any given night rather than just the artists they already know they love. - [How to Make The Most Out of Your Music Performance Contracts](https://prism.fm/blog/insights/how-to-make-the-most-out-of-your-music-performance-contracts/): A music performance contract is an agreement between a booking agent and a venue to eliminate payment disagreements and clarify performance expectations and provisions. It protects the rights of both the venue and the music artist. Music performances should never be based on a handshake, even if the relationship between the agent and the venue is strong. Why? According to Rocket Lawyer, “It only takes one no-show or one venue not paying your band for both parties to learn that performance contracts are a smart idea.” - [Secrets to Talent Booking](https://prism.fm/blog/insights/secrets-to-talent-booking/): If you’re a talent buyer, you know it can be challenging to find the right bands, negotiate the right price, find the right date and get the audience in the door. Talent is a relative term and your audience may not think your choice for their entertainment is worth the price of the ticket. - [4 Booking Strategies for Talent Buyers](https://prism.fm/blog/insights/4-booking-strategies-for-talent-buyers/): Talent buyers are an integral part of the live music industry. They are responsible for booking the talent for a venue or event, such as a live music festival, and also act as the liaison between talent and the venue. Most talent buyers balance their time between wooing acts to their venue and fielding calls from bands and their agents who want to book their performance at that venue. They may also be responsible for hiring the production team and preparing the venue for the event. Seems easy enough, but in today’s market, competition has heated up, challenging talent buyers to keep their venue in the game. - [8 Bad Habits that Keep You from Booking More Shows](https://prism.fm/blog/insights/8-bad-habits-that-keep-you-from-booking-more-shows/): Whether you’re an artist or a promoter the key to success is keeping the calendar as full of dates as possible. If you feel like you have a great act to unleash on the world, but aren’t booking any shows, it may be because you are making one of these common mistakes.  - [A Win-Win-Win Approach to Music Venue Booking](https://prism.fm/blog/insights/a-win-win-win-approach-to-music-venue-booking/): Music venue owners, promoters, and artists all need each other, but often it can feel like not everyone is playing for the same team. Everyone is interested in maximizing their own profit and building the value of their brand. Fortunately, the best way to do this is to work together to put on the right show, for the right audience, in the right place. It is also in everyone’s best interest to make sure the whole music venue booking process is painless and efficient. This post is about how to achieve those ends. - [The Benefits of Integrating with a Venue Ticketing Management System](https://prism.fm/blog/insights/the-benefits-of-integrating-with-a-venue-ticketing-management-system/): You have an event you need to sell tickets for. What are you going to do? There are dozens of venue ticketing systems you can download, but do they give you everything you really need to be efficient and profitable? - [Not Using Music Business Software? You’re Losing Money.](https://prism.fm/blog/insights/not-using-music-business-software-youre-losing-money/): When we tell people that our company builds live music business software that helps venue owners and promoters manage their businesses, they often question whether something like that is really needed. Most people don’t understand the complexity of putting on live events. They think a calendar and email is all you need. That may be true – if you don’t give a damn about making money. But you do care about making money, don’t you? As much of it as possible, I suspect.  - [Live Music Industry Software – An Anti-Stress Solution?](https://prism.fm/blog/insights/live-music-industry-software-an-anti-stress-solution/): What does this have to do with live music industry software? We’ll get there, but first.. - [AMA: Answers to Your Questions About Music Promotor Tools](https://prism.fm/blog/insights/ama-answers-to-your-questions-about-music-promotor-tools/): If you are like most of the music promoters, venue owners and managers, and artist reps we chat with you’ve likely never purchased software tools designed to help music promoters succeed. It’s just not something that people do every day. So, if you have a ton of questions, don’t worry. You aren’t alone. Fortunately, we live and breath music promoter tools every day, and we can help. Here are the answers to the questions that we get most often.   - [How to Sell Concert Management Software to a Skeptic](https://prism.fm/blog/insights/how-to-sell-concert-management-software-to-a-skeptic/): We get it. There's one in every crowd. Maybe it's your boss. Perhaps it's your boss's boss. (Is that grammatically correct? It looks weird.) Or maybe it's your co-worker who thinks software still comes on floppy disks. Whoever it is, there's a good chance that someone thinks your suggestion to invest in concert management software for your live music venue is a non-starter. "What do we need that for, we're doing fine with spreadsheets and email," they'll say. Or perhaps you'll hear, "Our margins are tight as it is, we can't get fancy." You know they're wrong. We know they're wrong, but what can you do? - [Is Tour Management Software Worth The Investment?](https://prism.fm/blog/insights/is-tour-management-software-worth-the-investment/): Tour management software aims to streamline collaboration and management. The software is more than another collaboration tool, however. In fact, it can actually include integrated components to help music professionals operate the entire event management process in a single cloud-based platform. Having accurate, historical and real-time data at your fingertips helps you work more efficiently, which results in more profitability. It’s why so many organizations are transitioning from siloed applications to integrated systems. According to Oracle, the advantages of integrated software applications are: - [Music Promoter Software: What to Look For](https://prism.fm/blog/insights/music-promoter-software-what-to-look-for/): Music promoter software is transforming the live music industry with automation and integration. Key features include robust financials, collaboration tools, mobile accessibility, and AI-powered analytics. Choosing the right platform can make or break your promotional success. - [Prism Raises $2.2M in Seed Funding to Extend Its Leadership Position in the Live Music Industry](https://prism.fm/blog/product-updates-news/prism-raises-2-2m-in-seed-funding/): We recently announced that our company, Prism, an Austin-based software company dedicated to simplifying the complex process of booking and managing live music events, secured $2.2 million from angel investors including Kip McClanahan, founder of Pershing and long-time Austin entrepreneur; Mario Fighali, chief operating officer and co-founder at Sparefoot; Bill Babel, co-founder of Capital Factory; and Jay Jensen, President of Clasen Quality Coatings. - [Strategies for Staying Healthy While Living a Promoter Life](https://prism.fm/blog/venue-insights/strategies-for-staying-healthy-while-living-a-promoter-life/): A music promoter’s life may not be as glamorous as the artists they work with, but it is a pretty awesome gig if you have a passion for music and an eye for business. Income varies greatly, however, the best promoters earn to up to $1 million per year depending on who they represent, size of the concerts and how many shows they can book. ## Pages - [How Mesa Arts Center Uses Prism to Book Smarter, Reduce Risk, and Save Time](https://prism.fm/mesa-arts-center-case-study/): For Randy Vogel, Executive Director of Programming at Mesa Arts Center, Prism has become an essential part of that process. From evaluating artist offers with verified settlement data to simplifying Broadway settlements and managing co-promoted events, Prism helps his team spend less time on administrative work and more time building a great season. - [Podcast Episode 44](https://prism.fm/podcast/ep-44/): Matt sits down with Randy Vogel of Mesa Arts Center to explore what it takes to lead one of the country's most dynamic multidisciplinary performing arts centers. - [Podcast Episode 43](https://prism.fm/podcast/ep-43/): After a popular fireside chat at NIVA a few weeks ago, Matt Ford and Pat Hannigan, Co-Founder & CTO of Hive, sat down to continue the conversation around one of the biggest topics shaping live events today: AI. - [Podcast Episode 42](https://prism.fm/podcast/ep-42/): In this episode, Matt Ford sits down with Sara Mertz (VP, Music Partnerships) and Steve Oberman (VP, Partnerships) from Tixr to discuss the future of independent ticketing, the evolution of the secondary market, and the technology shaping live events. - [Podcast Episode 41](https://prism.fm/podcast/ep-41/): In this episode, Matt Ford sits down with Justin Kantor, Founder of VenuePilot, to unpack a radically different approach to ticketing-one that challenges long-standing industry norms around contracts, fees, and control. - [Podcast Episode 40](https://prism.fm/podcast/ep-40/): In this episode, Matt Ford sits down with Lucas Fritz and Jessica Gordon, Co-owners and Talent Buyers for Broadberry Entertainment Group, to explore how independent promoters are scaling from clubs to theaters and even booking arena-level shows in a Live Nation-dominated landscape. - [Podcast Episode 39](https://prism.fm/podcast/ep-39/): At the heart of it all is a simple belief: live music is sacred and no technology will ever replace humans playing music together. - [Learn More About Insights](https://prism.fm/infosession-insights/): Booking shows today comes with more uncertainty than ever. Artist demand shifts fast, margins are tighter, and every offer carries more risk. - [Why Prism for PACs](https://prism.fm/why-prism-for-pacs/): Manage programming, financials, and coordination across your entire organization in one system. - [Podcast Episode 38](https://prism.fm/podcast/ep-38/): Should Promoters Share Ticket Buyer Data? with Matt Washburn of Atlas Touring The live music industry runs on ticket sales, but still can't agree on who owns the data behind them. In this episode, Matt Washburn of Atlas Touring joins us to dig into one of the most debated and least resolved topics in the business: should promoters share ticket buyer data? It's a conversation we've had a hundred times, but Matt Washburn brings a perspective that's rare. As an agent, he's unusually thoughtful about the promoter side, which makes for a more honest and nuanced discussion than most. But we don't stop there. We also get into AI, fan behavior shifts, and what it actually takes to stay competitive right now. Inside the Episode: Why the fight over ticket buyer data still isn't settled, and what both sides get wrong Who actually benefits from data sharing, and who has the most to lose How siloed data is holding the industry back Where Prism's Insights product fits into the future of booking decisions How AI could reshape routing, offers, and forecasting What's changing in fan buying behavior and why it matters more than ever How Atlas Touring rebuilt their internal workflows A bigger picture look at where the industry is headed and what it takes to survive in it MORE EPISODES - [Podcast Episode 37](https://prism.fm/podcast/ep-37/): The Live Nation Trial Isn't Over: Inside the States' Revolt The Live Nation/Ticketmaster antitrust case is one of the most consequential battles in live music right now, and it's far more complicated than the headlines suggest. In this episode, Matt Ford sits down with Randy Nichols to break down what's actually happening, from the DOJ settlement that didn't end the case to the political and structural forces shaping what comes next. If you care about the future of live music, this is essential listening. Inside the Episode: Why the DOJ settlement did not actually end the Live Nation antitrust case How the remaining states are carrying the case forward, and why the politics behind it matter What the leaked Slack messages reveal, and why the story is more complicated than the headlines suggest Why a breakup may not automatically solve the deeper structural problems facing indie venues How the secondary market and scalper lobby continue to shape the live music ecosystem What this case could mean for artists, promoters, venues, and local music communities MORE EPISODES - [Podcast Episode 36](https://prism.fm/podcast/ep-36/): If you care about the future of independent venues, ticketing transparency, and the tools helping promoters make smarter decisions, this is a conversation you won't want to miss. - [Podcast Episode 35](https://prism.fm/podcast/ep-35/): Laylo's "Drops" Playbook: Turning Social Hype into Ticket & Merch Sales In this episode of The Live Music Industry Podcast, Matt Ford sits down with Alec Ellin, Co-Founder & CEO of Laylo, for a candid conversation about fan capture, "drops," and the marketing flywheel powering modern ticket, merch, and content launches. From Laylo's early pivots through Y Combinator to its breakout product-market fit during the pandemic, they unpack how artists, venues, and festivals are turning social hype into first-party audiences and what that enables next. In this episode, they cover: Laylo 101 - a music-first CRM + messaging platform built to capture fans and drive them to tickets, merch, and content The origin story - from Dark Chart & Silo to YC, a painful pivot, and finding the winning "drops" model in 2021 What a "drop" really does - productizing FOMO to convert attention into signups before the on-sale moment Scale by the numbers - 60M+ fans reached, 200K drops in a year, and tens of thousands of platform users Multi-channel messaging - SMS, email, Instagram, and WhatsApp, plus high-performing IG DM capture flows Why venues and festivals are adopting Laylo - high-conversion drop pages, list growth without requiring a ticket purchase, and demand-driving campaigns First-party data, done right - why Laylo won't share PII, and how "collabs" let artists + promoters build lists compliantly Smarter segmentation - targeting likely ticket and merch buyers to improve cost, deliverability, and fan experience AI inside the product - multi-drop builders, "magic templates," and the roadmap to put CRM workflows on autopilot It's a practical, founder-level look at how modern fan marketing is evolving and why capturing first-party demand before the on-sale moment is becoming a competitive advantage for artists and live event businesses alike. As a listener of our show, you can get 50,000 free messaging credits through Laylo here when you use code LAYLO26. MORE EPISODES - [Podcast Episode 34](https://prism.fm/podcast/ep-34/): It's a practical, honest look at how ticketing operators are thinking about control, transparency, and the next era of live event technology. - [Podcast Episode 33](https://prism.fm/podcast/ep-33/): Family Business to Stadium Promoter: Building a Latin Music Powerhouse In this episode of The Live Music Industry Podcast, Matt Ford sits down with David Zamora, Founder & CEO of ⁠Zamora Live⁠, one of the most active independent Latin promoters in the U.S. David shares how his family's Chicago operation grew from booking bands in a restaurant basement into a company promoting arena and stadium tours nationwide. They unpack what makes the Latin live music market structurally and culturally different, why independence has lasted longer in Latin touring, and how economics shift from clubs to stadiums. The conversation also explores the real-world impact of immigration policy on live events, including a moment when ICE activity and National Guard presence in Chicago affected ticket sales ahead of a major community show. A candid look at scale, resilience, and what it takes to build an independent live music business today. MORE EPISODES - [Podcast Episode 32](https://prism.fm/podcast/ep-32/): 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. - [Info Session Thank You page](https://prism.fm/infosession-thankyou/): Prism is being used to plan hundreds of thousands of concerts & live events at over 2,500 venues worldwide. - [Prism x Eventbrite Integration](https://prism.fm/eventbrite/): When your Eventbrite account connects to Prism, ticket counts and revenue data update automatically across all linked shows. That means no more waiting on manual reports, just instant visibility into how your shows are performing. - [Learn More About Prism](https://prism.fm/infosession/): Most independents don't have true infrastructure behind their booking operations.Critical data lives in spreadsheets, workflows depend on individual habits, and financial accuracy is at constant risk of human error. - [Podcast Episode 31](https://prism.fm/podcast/ep-31/): In this episode of The Live Music Industry Podcast, Matt Ford sits down with Anthony "Tony" Markun, the talent buyer behind Back 40 Live at Morris Farm Market. Tony shares how a surprise set from then-unknown Oliver Anthony drew 12,000 fans overnight, transforming a small farm stage into a fast-growing live music destination. - [How McMenamins Streamlined Complexity with Prism](https://prism.fm/mcmenamins-case-study/): McMenamins uses Prism to turn multi-venue complexity into streamlined booking, settling, and reporting. - [Podcast Episode 30](https://prism.fm/podcast/ep-30-2/): Building a Transparent, Inclusive Live Music Industry with Jen Lyon In this episode of The Live Music Industry Podcast, host Matt Ford sits down with Jen Lyon, an independent promoter, to explore how transparency, data, and insights can transform the live music industry for the better. Jen shares her experiences as a female promoter, her vision for launching a new venue in Detroit, and how openness around data helps independent promoters compete with Live Nation and AEG. They discuss the critical need for industry transparency to lower barriers for women, minorities, and young professionals, making the live music industry more diverse and sustainable. Jen emphasizes that while data can't remove all risks in live events, it can empower promoters to make informed decisions, negotiate fair deals with agents and artists, and foster collaboration across the industry. The episode highlights the challenges independents face in accessing reliable data, the need for shared insights, and the benefits of rethinking show financing and community-driven programming to create a more inclusive and profitable live music ecosystem. Jen and Matt also discuss how the industry's resilience and passion can be harnessed to build a healthier future filled with more independent promoters, venues, and community-focused shows. If you care about live music, independent venues, diversity in the music industry, and actionable strategies to compete with industry giants, this conversation with Jen Lyon is a must-listen. What You'll Learn This Episode: The importance of transparency and open data for independent promoters. How lack of transparency increases industry risk and limits diversity and inclusion. Why younger generations hesitate to enter the live music industry and how to address it. The balance between using data and accepting risk in live events. How transparency benefits agents, artists, and promoters in deal-making and trust-building. The challenges independents face against Live Nation and AEG without access to unified data. Ideas for rethinking show financing and exploring community-based programming. Jen's vision for a new Detroit venue and supporting local artists. How collaboration and shared insights can create a healthier, more sustainable live music ecosystem. Why passion and resilience keep people in the industry despite its challenges. More about MeanRed Productions MORE EPISODES - [Podcast Episode 30](https://prism.fm/podcast/ep-30/): Against All Odds: The Fight for Independent Venues In this episode of The Live Music Industry Podcast, host Matt speaks with Steven S. about the economic impact and challenges facing independent music venues in the United States. Despite generating $153 billion in total economic output and serving 184 million fans in 2024, a shocking 64% of venues remain unprofitable. The discussion highlights issues such as rising costs, competition from Live Nation, ticket resale platforms like StubHub, and the marketing struggles indie venues face. The episode also explores how the National Independent Venue Association (NEVA) is advocating for fairer competition, antitrust action against Live Nation, and solutions like collective bargaining, cost-saving strategies, and policy reforms. Steven and Matt dive into proposed structural changes for the industry, from breaking up Live Nation's monopoly to creating sustainable revenue streams for venues and artists. Listeners will learn about: The massive economic contributions of independent venues compared to airlines, beer, and video games. Why most indie venues struggle with profitability despite their cultural importance. The dangers of ticket resale platforms siphoning money away from artists and venues. The ongoing DOJ lawsuit against Live Nation and calls to break up its monopoly. How NEVA is uniting venues nationwide to fight for fair policies, lower costs, and sustainable growth. The future of advocacy through NEVA's live policy summit and its push for national reform. This episode is essential listening for anyone passionate about the live music ecosystem, independent promoters, ticketing reform, and the fight for a fair and sustainable music industry. MORE EPISODES - [Podcast Episode 29](https://prism.fm/podcast/ep-29/): Event Tech Evolution: Billfold's Futuristic Approach to POS Sales What does the future of payments at live events look like? In this episode of The Live Music Industry Podcast, Matt Ford sits down with Stas Chijik, co-founder of Billfold, to talk about reshaping the point-of-sale experience for venues with tens of thousands of attendees. From RFID wristbands and AI-powered operations to biometric "Look to Pay" systems, this episode offers a fascinating glimpse into how technology is streamlining transactions and changing the way fans experience live events. Inside the Episode: Introduction to Billfold: A look at how Billfold serves large-scale events with a focus on transaction speed and vendor integration. Client Reach: Billfold's success with approximately 150 clients handling massive venues with up to 100,000 attendees. Technology & Products: How Billfold embraces RFID technology and the transition to biometric payments to enhance customer experiences. Industry Insights: Discussion on current consumer trends such as the rise in non-alcoholic beverage popularity and its effect on spending behaviors. Challenges of Inflation: How rising costs impact pricing strategies for concessionaires. Biometric Payment System: An inside look into the potential of "Look to Pay" technology in the event industry. The Impact of AI: How AI is being used in product development and its role in enhancing operational efficiency. Privacy and Biometrics: A critical look at privacy concerns surrounding biometric data use and the philosophy of trust within technology. If you're looking to stay ahead of the tech curve, you won't want to miss this one. MORE EPISODES - [Podcast Episode 28](https://prism.fm/podcast/ep-28/): Building a Transparent, Inclusive Live Music Industry with Jen Lyon In this episode of The Live Music Industry Podcast, host Matt Ford sits down with Jen Lyon, an independent promoter, to explore how transparency, data, and insights can transform the live music industry for the better. Jen shares her experiences as a female promoter, her vision for launching a new venue in Detroit, and how openness around data helps independent promoters compete with Live Nation and AEG. They discuss the critical need for industry transparency to lower barriers for women, minorities, and young professionals, making the live music industry more diverse and sustainable. Jen emphasizes that while data can't remove all risks in live events, it can empower promoters to make informed decisions, negotiate fair deals with agents and artists, and foster collaboration across the industry. The episode highlights the challenges independents face in accessing reliable data, the need for shared insights, and the benefits of rethinking show financing and community-driven programming to create a more inclusive and profitable live music ecosystem. Jen and Matt also discuss how the industry's resilience and passion can be harnessed to build a healthier future filled with more independent promoters, venues, and community-focused shows. If you care about live music, independent venues, diversity in the music industry, and actionable strategies to compete with industry giants, this conversation with Jen Lyon is a must-listen. What You'll Learn This Episode: The importance of transparency and open data for independent promoters. How lack of transparency increases industry risk and limits diversity and inclusion. Why younger generations hesitate to enter the live music industry and how to address it. The balance between using data and accepting risk in live events. How transparency benefits agents, artists, and promoters in deal-making and trust-building. The challenges independents face against Live Nation and AEG without access to unified data. Ideas for rethinking show financing and exploring community-based programming. Jen's vision for a new Detroit venue and supporting local artists. How collaboration and shared insights can create a healthier, more sustainable live music ecosystem. Why passion and resilience keep people in the industry despite its challenges. More about MeanRed Productions MORE EPISODES - [Podcast Episode 27](https://prism.fm/podcast/ep-27/): Fighting Ticket Scalping in the Live Music Industry with Randy Nichols In this episode of The Live Music Industry Podcast, host Matt Ford speaks with Randy Nichols, a respected artist manager and advocate, about the complex and controversial world of ticket scalping. Drawing from his extensive industry experience and his work with NITO (National Independent Talent Organization), Randy unpacks the history of ticket scalping, the hidden forces driving inflated ticket prices, and the policy changes needed to protect artists and fans in the live music ecosystem. The conversation explores how private equity-backed ticket scalping operations disguise themselves as consumer rights advocates, pushing legislation that benefits scalpers while harming artists, promoters, and genuine fans. Randy emphasizes that ticket scalping reduces fans' ability to support artists through merchandise, concessions, and repeat attendance, harming the overall live event economy. What You'll Learn This Episode: How ticket scalpers manipulate government agencies to shape policies that protect speculative ticket sales while claiming to fight Ticketmaster. Why Ticketmaster differs from other resale platforms by requiring barcodes and seat numbers, helping limit speculative ticket sales. The impact of junk fee transparency initiatives by the Biden administration, and why displaying fees upfront alone does not address the underlying pricing issues in ticketing. Insights into the Ticket Act in Congress and why NITO and NEVA oppose it due to loopholes that would allow scalpers to continue exploiting fans. How political motivations, including Trump's and Democrats' evolving stances on ticketing issues, influence policy outcomes in the live music industry. The need for practical solutions, including limiting bots, capping resale prices, and maintaining fair ticket transfers without enabling predatory scalping practices. The challenges and opportunities of implementing government-issued ID requirements to combat scalping while balancing privacy and practicality. Why splitting up Live Nation and Ticketmaster may not solve the root issues without addressing exclusive ticketing contracts and the financial incentives that drive venue agreements. The potential industry-shifting impact of eliminating fees on primary ticket sales to damage the secondary scalping market, protect fans, and improve the ticket-buying experience. Why You Should Listen Randy argues that the live music industry must prioritize building fair ticketing systems that enable fans to access tickets at reasonable prices while protecting artists and independent promoters. The discussion highlights the need for policy advocacy, transparency, and community education to counter powerful lobbying by scalper-backed organizations. For venue operators, independent promoters, artist managers, and fans, this episode offers a clear-eyed look at the systemic challenges in the ticketing industry and provides actionable insights on how to fight for fairer, fan-first ticketing practices. Randy's perspective reminds listeners that while technology and policy are critical tools in addressing scalping, artists and their teams must be willing to rethink show pricing structures to create a better fan experience. If you care about the future of live music, fair ticket pricing, and fan access, this episode will equip you with the knowledge and context needed to understand why ticket scalping remains a pervasive issue and what steps the industry can take to fight back. Check out Randy's full white paper on scalping HERE MORE EPISODES - [Podcast Episode 26](https://prism.fm/podcast/ep-26/): How AI is Shaping the Future of Event Marketing with Patrick Hannigan from Hive In this episode of The Live Music Industry Podcast, host Matt Ford speaks with Pat, CTO of Hive, about the transformative role of AI in live event marketing. They discuss Hive's latest AI product innovations and explore how artificial intelligence is enhancing efficiency, personalization, and audience targeting for event promoters, venue operators, and artist managers. Pat explains how AI tools are now automating time-consuming tasks in event marketing, from drafting email subject lines and personalized blurbs about artists to segmenting audiences based on affinity data and purchasing behavior. By analyzing real-time fan conversations and ticketing data, AI enables marketers to target fans who are most likely to attend events, optimizing ad spend and increasing ticket sales while saving marketers countless hours previously spent on manual research. What You'll Learn This Episode: How AI marketing tools act as a co-pilot to marketers, enhancing creativity while maintaining brand voice. The benefits of using AI to automate narrow, complex tasks such as artist affinity segment creation and ad budget allocation. Hive's development of integrated ad products leveraging real-time fan data for smarter, more effective ticketing campaigns. The importance of maintaining human oversight and a personalized touch while using AI for event marketing. How AI enriches artist data and enables precise targeting, leading to higher open rates, engagement, and conversions in event campaigns. Insights on balancing technology and human connection to foster community and enhance the live event experience. The challenges of data partnerships with ticketing platforms and SMS providers, which remain key to accessing customer data at scale for marketing efforts. Why You Should Listen Pat and Matt also discuss the future of live music marketing, emphasizing the shift towards personalized, data-driven campaigns that cut through the noise and help fans discover events they truly want to attend. They highlight how AI accelerates engineering and product development, unlocking features like real-time affinity modeling and automated code reviews that previously required extensive manual effort. As the conversation unfolds, listeners will learn how AI can empower independent promoters, agencies, and venues to compete more effectively by providing tools that match the sophistication of larger industry players while maintaining flexibility and artist-focused strategies. The episode also explores the hybrid future of event marketing, combining online reach with real-world fan experiences to build lasting communities around live music. Whether you're a venue operator looking to streamline your marketing workflow, an independent promoter seeking smarter ad targeting, or an artist manager aiming to reach new audiences while maintaining authenticity, this episode will provide actionable insights on leveraging AI to drive growth in the live music industry. More about HIVE MORE EPISODES - [Podcast Episode 25](https://prism.fm/podcast/ep-25/): How NITO is Transforming the Live Music Industry for Independent Artists and Agencies In this episode of The Live Music Industry Podcast, host Matt sits down with Wayne Forte and Nathaniel Marro from NITO (National Independent Talent Organization) to explore how independent agencies and artist managers can survive and thrive in a rapidly changing music industry. NITO, formed by 16 independent agencies at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, has evolved into a powerful advocacy group protecting independent artists, agents, and managers while lobbying for financial assistance and industry reform. Wayne and Nathaniel discuss how NITO fosters collaboration among independent agencies that often compete for the same artists, festival slots, and tour dates, demonstrating how collective action can strengthen the live music ecosystem. They share how NITO encourages information sharing, mentorship, and resource pooling, allowing smaller independent agencies to access opportunities typically reserved for larger corporate-backed agencies. What You'll Learn This Episode: The advantages of independent agencies in providing personalized, artist-focused strategies. The challenges of industry consolidation and how independent agencies maintain flexibility and creative decision-making. The need for transparent, sustainable deal structures to counteract rising ticket fees and touring costs. The importance of strong artist-promoter relationships rooted in open communication and fair negotiations. How co-booking and collective advocacy among independents help artists navigate touring while prioritizing their creative goals. Why independent agencies often provide artists with more direct access, career development, and honest feedback compared to major corporate agencies. Why You Should Listen Wayne and Nathaniel highlight that NITO is not fighting consolidation by opposing it, but by offering an alternative collective power for independent agencies while allowing them to maintain autonomy. They discuss how returning to more equitable revenue-sharing models, such as door deals, could help artists cover rising touring costs while ensuring fair compensation for venues and promoters. Throughout the conversation, they emphasize that relationships remain at the heart of the music industry, and while independence is important, prioritizing the artist's best interests comes first. They call for a more honest and collaborative environment where agents, promoters, and artists work together to create positive experiences for fans while ensuring the long-term health of the live music sector. This episode is essential listening for independent music agents, artist managers, venue operators, and promoters looking to understand how to build a sustainable live music business while supporting artists in an era of rising costs and industry consolidation. More about NITO MORE EPISODES - [How Pabst Theater Group uses Prism to operate 6 venues and plan thousands of events](https://prism.fm/pabst/): COO of Pabst Theater Group, an impressive promoter that puts on thousands of events a year and operates six incredible venues in Milwaukee, ranging from a 400-capacity club to a 4,000-seat theater. Pabst even puts on the occasional show at the Fiserv Forum Arena, home of the Milwaukee Bucks. After realizing their old methods were no longer effective, Pabst decided to take the leap and partner with Prism, and their business has thrived as a result. - [Podcast Episode 24](https://prism.fm/podcast/ep-24/): Forging an Iconic Indie Promoter, Booking 600 Shows a Year, and Managing Incredible Clubs and Festivals like Mohawk and Levitation In this deep-dive episode of The Live Music Industry Podcast, we sit down with Graham Williams, founder of Resound Presents and a cornerstone of the Austin live music scene, to explore the evolution of live music promotion in Texas and beyond. From the early days of booking DIY punk shows with nothing but paper calendars and white-out, to leading hundreds of live events each year through cutting-edge platforms like Prism, Graham offers an unfiltered look at the past, present, and future of live music. Whether you're a venue owner, aspiring promoter, touring artist, or music tech enthusiast, this episode is packed with real-world insights you won't find anywhere else. What You'll Learn This Episode: The Mechanics of a Modern-Day Promoter: Discover how Resound Presents books 500-600 live shows a year, and what it takes to manage a portfolio of venues including Mohawk Austin and the 29th Street Ballroom, while producing shows at larger rooms like ACL Live and Radio East. Texas-Specific Market Insights: Learn why Houston remains a difficult city for independent promoters, how Dallas and San Antonio compare, and why Austin remains a cornerstone of live music culture in the U.S. Pandemic Recovery and Market Realities: Understand how the live music industry rebounded post-COVID, what the "ticket bubble" was, and how promoters are adjusting to more sustainable levels of fan demand and attendance. Impact of Big Venues and Dynamic Pricing: Explore how megavenues like the Moody Center influence the entire local scene, and why dynamic pricing models may hurt smaller clubs as fans shift their spending. The Rise and Fall of Iconic Festivals: Hear behind-the-scenes stories of Austin's beloved Fun Fun Fun Fest, its unique mix of comedy, music, and culture, and what led to its demise despite its lasting influence. Festival Economics and Risk Management: Get a realistic look at what it takes to produce a festival-budgeting, investor challenges, weather unpredictability, and how to protect year-round operations. Technology That's Changing the Game: Dive into how booking and data tools like Prism are transforming offer management, promoter collaboration, ticketing integration, and revenue forecasting. Staying True to the Brand: Learn how Graham's DIY punk roots influence Resound Presents' curation, marketing, and brand identity-and why they steer clear of chasing mainstream trends. Artist Discovery and Booking in the Streaming Era: Hear how Graham and his team discover new talent, stay culturally relevant, and program shows for a musically diverse audience with eclectic tastes. The Future of Live Events: From destination shows to themed experiences, Graham shares ideas on how live events can evolve to excite fans and differentiate from the typical concert-going routine. Why You Should Listen With 30+ years of boots-on-the-ground experience in one of America's most active music markets, Graham offers unmatched insight into both the art and science of promoting live music. His journey spans eras-from handing out physical flyers in the late '90s to leveraging real-time ticketing data in 2025. If you've ever wondered how shows get booked, what makes a festival succeed (or fail), or how indie promoters survive in a big-venue world, this conversation is essential listening. More about The Resound Presents MORE EPISODES - [Podcast Episode 23](https://prism.fm/podcast/ep-23/): The Pinhook Founding Story: Durham's Thriving 200‑Cap,  Queer‑Owned, Community‑Centered Club In this conversation, Kym (the venue owner) walks us through Pinhook's 16‑year journey from start‑up to beloved cultural anchor in downtown Durham, NC. She opens by explaining how Prism's booking and settlement tools have tightened operations enough for a small, 200‑capacity room to pay fair wages-including her own-without sacrificing the club's community‑first ethos. Kym then rewinds to Pinhook's 2008 founding, sharing how a queer‑owned, radically inclusive space was forged to welcome every walk of life while amplifying Durham's DIY music roots. She dives into the economics of surviving (and thriving) as a small cap venue: offsetting inflation and shifting drinking habits with inventive revenue streams-non‑alcoholic options, staggered early and late shows, and relentless programming creativity. Mid‑episode, we hear the dramatic story of Pinhook's brush with closure and the grassroots campaign (boosted by hometown heroes Sylvan Esso) that kept its doors open. Kym pulls back the curtain on the hard math of a 200‑cap business, stressing why community goodwill and eventually owning the building "dirt" matter as much as bar sales. We wrap with a round of fastballs: her playbook for sustaining a tiny venue over decades, hopes for a fairer, more inclusive music ecosystem, and practical advice for fellow operators-chief among them, "Control your real estate, stay agile, and stay true to the people you serve." What You'll Learn This Episode: Music Industry as a Labor of LoveThe conversation opens with reflections on how the music business thrives on passion, collaboration, and mutual support. With limited financial rewards, venues like The Pinhook depend on recognizing and valuing the contributions of artists, staff, and community members. DIY Venue Management & Fair PayRunning a small, independent venue comes with financial and logistical hurdles. From staffing challenges to equipment costs, the guest emphasizes the delicate balance of delivering quality without compromising fair compensation. Founding The Pinhook: A Queer Music Space in DurhamThe founder recounts their journey from managing a DIY venue to establishing The Pinhook as a sustainable platform for touring artists, including acts like Future Islands and The Mountain Goats. Inclusive Booking & RepresentationA core mission of the venue is to diversify the music scene, prioritizing queer artists, BIPOC performers, and DIY musicians. The founder pushes back against the traditional white male-dominated narratives in the industry. Sobriety, Accessibility & Innovation in Bar CultureThe guest shares how their personal journey with sobriety inspired changes in venue operations-such as non-alcoholic drinks, early shows, and alternative revenue streams like kombucha and coffee, which often yield higher margins than alcohol. Financial Resilience Through Community SupportFacing unexpected tax debt, The Pinhook turned to its community with secret fundraising shows-demonstrating the power of local support and grassroots resilience. Balancing Business and CommunityThe founder discusses the tension between financial sustainability and the mission to serve as a community hub. There's an ongoing exploration of how to reduce dependence on alcohol sales while still supporting the local arts ecosystem. Intimacy in Live MusicThe episode highlights the magic of small-scale performances and secret shows, which build authentic artist-audience connections and preserve the intimacy of live music experiences. Final Thoughts: Centering Humanity in MusicThe conversation concludes with a heartfelt call to prioritize people over profit-urging venue owners, artists, and fans alike to foster collaboration, equity, and genuine human connection in the music industry. Why You Should Listen This episode is more than a conversation-it's a blueprint for building spaces that feel like home, especially for those historically excluded from traditional music and nightlife culture. It's a reminder that art, when rooted in community and care, can be a revolutionary act. Whether you're dreaming of opening a venue or simply want to support those doing the work, this episode will challenge, energize, and move you. More about The Pinhook MORE EPISODES - [Prism’s Co-Pro simplifies settlement dramatically for Auditorium Theater](https://prism.fm/copro-case-study/): Matt Rucins, a 26 year industry veteran sits down with us to discuss how powerful Prism has been for his workflow, especially after our most recent Co-Pro launch which is simplifying one of the most important functions for this venue. We hope this case study below is helpful, and that we can work together to make your business more efficient. If you prefer videos please click here to see the full video (less than 10 minutes in total) - [Opendate or Prism? A purpose-built booking system vs a ticketing tool add-on.](https://prism.fm/opendate/): Over the years, Opendate (OD) has sent direct emails to Prism clients, positioning themselves as a cheaper alternative with feature parity. In reality, the two products and our company philosophies are very different.  - [Podcast Episode 22](https://prism.fm/podcast/ep-22/): The Wild Evolution of Brooklyn Mirage, Learning from Failures at Electric Zoo, and Building for the Future - Josh Wyatt, CEO of Avant Gardner In this exclusive episode of our podcast, Josh Wyatt, the CEO of Avant Gardner, takes us behind the scenes of one of the most dynamic and innovative live music venues in the U.S. With a focus on Avant Gardner's flagship venue, Brooklyn Mirage, Josh discusses the company's journey, the challenges they've faced, and their ambitious vision for the future of live music. This conversation offers valuable insights into the creative and operational elements that make Avant Gardner a standout in the entertainment industry. What You'll Learn in This Episode: Josh Wyatt's Journey with Avant Gardner: Learn about how Josh joined Avant Gardner after developing a strong relationship with the company's founder, Billy Bilstein, and how he took on the responsibility of leading the company in its quest to redefine live music experiences. The Unique Venues of Avant Gardner: Josh breaks down the special qualities of Avant Gardner's venues, including the iconic Brooklyn Mirage, Kings Hall, and Great Hall, and how each space creates distinct music experiences designed to leave a lasting emotional impact on guests. Innovative Plans for the Brooklyn Mirage Redesign: Hear about Avant Gardner's exciting plans to redesign the Brooklyn Mirage to elevate the guest experience. Josh reveals details about the redesign's concept, which aims to transform the venue into an "electronic opera house" that combines mystery, artistic expression, and emotional connection. Improved Venue Experiences: The episode dives into Avant Gardner's commitment to improving critical aspects of the venue experience, such as security, sanitation, communication, and hospitality. Josh outlines the steps the company is taking to address fan feedback and enhance the overall experience for concertgoers. Lessons Learned from Past Challenges: Josh opens up about the management issues the company faced in the past, such as delayed ticket reimbursements and vendor disputes. He discusses how Avant Gardner is prioritizing transparency and accountability to ensure smooth operations and rebuild trust with their audience and partners. The Future of Avant Gardner and New Partnerships: As Avant Gardner continues to grow, Josh shares their plans to expand the venue's global influence by reviving classic events, establishing new partnerships, and bringing exciting new residencies to New York City, helping to solidify the city's position as a global leader in electronic music. Avant Gardner's Vision for Innovation: Lastly, Josh discusses his vision for Avant Gardner to become the most innovative electronic music venue in the United States, with ambitions to expand the brand and its cultural influence well beyond the walls of their current venues. Why You Should Listen This conversation with Josh Wyatt offers a fascinating look at the inner workings of Avant Gardner, from its creative processes to the operational strategies that fuel its success. As Josh shares his vision for the future, listeners gain valuable insights into the evolving landscape of live music venues and the role Avant Gardner plays in shaping the future of electronic music and entertainment. Whether you're a music enthusiast, a fan of innovative event spaces, or someone interested in the challenges of running large-scale live music venues, this episode is filled with lessons, inspiration, and a glimpse into the exciting future of Avant Gardner. Stay tuned as Avant Gardner continues to push the boundaries of what's possible in the world of live music, creating unforgettable experiences for fans while pioneering new ways to engage with the cultural and entertainment community. More about Avant Gardener MORE EPISODES - [Podcast Episode 21](https://prism.fm/podcast/ep-21/): Hangout.fm represents a revolutionary shift in how we experience and share music. Unlike platforms that prioritize AI-driven recommendations, Hangout.fm emphasizes the human element, allowing users to share music in a live, interactive environment. Users can import playlists from Apple Music and Spotify, DJ for their friends, and engage in a more social, community-driven music experience. With a business model that includes premium subscriptions and virtual goods, Hangout.fm is positioning itself to redefine the future of music discovery and fan engagement. - [New testimonials build](https://prism.fm/new-testimonials/): We've made it.  - [Podcast Episode 20](https://prism.fm/podcast/ep-20/): Check out Austin Psych Fest: Here - [Podcast Episode 19](https://prism.fm/podcast/ep-19/): In this compelling episode, Sean Watterson and Kendall Gilvar, board member and staff member of the National Independent Venue Association (NIVA), join us to discuss the State of Live initiative - a groundbreaking economic research study focused on the independent live music sector. This study is the first of its kind, designed to gather critical data that will empower independent venues to advocate for their survival and success at the local, state, and federal levels. - [How Data Driven Insights can Save as Much Time as Multiple Employees. MOKB Presents](https://prism.fm/mokb/): This case study highlights how integrating Tixr's ticketing platform with Prism transformed MOKB's operations. With real-time data flowing into Prism-combining ticket sales, costs, and ancillary revenues-teams gained instant insights into profitability. When Dee from MOKB reflected on a time when the team was working without a ticketing integration, she realized that using Prism with a ticketing integration is worth multiple full time employees.  - [Podcast Episode 18](https://prism.fm/podcast/ep-18/): In this episode, we sit down with Daniel Brindley, the CEO and Co-Founder of Union Stage, to explore his incredible journey through the live music industry. As the operator of multiple successful venues in the competitive Washington, DC market, Daniel shares invaluable insights on the challenges of growing a live music business, managing a diverse team, and overcoming industry obstacles. He also opens up about his personal story of transitioning from musician to venue operator and the pivotal moments that shaped his career. Whether you're an aspiring venue owner, music lover, or entrepreneur, this episode is packed with wisdom on resilience, community-building, and adapting to change in a rapidly evolving industry. - [Podcast Episode 1](https://prism.fm/podcast/ep-1/): In this episode of The Live Music Industry Podcast, we sit down with Jason Kupperman, owner of Golden Gate Talent Agency, to explore his journey in the live music industry, the impact of the pandemic on live events, and the evolving role of technology in music experiences. Jason takes us through his career, starting from his early experiences in the industry to founding his own talent agency during the challenging period of COVID-19. The conversation touches on the balance between live and digital music experiences, the importance of authenticity in artist development, and how emerging technology is reshaping the way fans engage with live events. Whether you're an artist, agent, venue operator, or music fan, this episode offers valuable insights into the state and future of live music. - [Podcast Episode 2](https://prism.fm/podcast/ep-2/): In this insightful episode of The Live Music Industry Podcast, we're joined by Matt Beringer, Co-owner, COO, Talent Buyer, and Chief Nerd at The Pabst Theatre Group, a powerhouse in Milwaukee's vibrant live music scene. As the leader behind six venues in the city, including the iconic Pabst Theatre, Matt shares his unique perspective on the evolution of live music venue management, the challenges of running multiple venues, and the impact of industry consolidation on independent promoters. - [Podcast Episode 3](https://prism.fm/podcast/ep-3/): In this powerful episode of The Live Music Industry Podcast, we sit down with Hillary Gleason, Founder and Executive Director of Backline, a national non-profit organization dedicated to providing mental health and wellness resources to those working in the music industry. With a focus on the unique challenges faced by musicians, crew members, and other professionals in this high-pressure field, Hillary discusses the mission of Backline, the vital services the organization offers, and the importance of making mental health resources easily accessible. The conversation explores not only the struggles of industry professionals but also the systemic changes needed to prioritize mental well-being within this community. Whether you're an artist, road crew, or someone in the wider music ecosystem, this episode offers crucial insights and practical steps to better understand and support the mental health of those in the music industry. - [Podcast Episode 4](https://prism.fm/podcast/ep-4/): In this episode of The Live Music Industry Podcast, we're thrilled to sit down with Ty Sutton, the President and CEO of Dayton Live, for an in-depth discussion about his remarkable career journey and the keys to successfully managing performing arts centers (PACs). Ty's path to the top of the arts management world wasn't a straight line-instead, it was a journey fueled by passion, adaptability, and an unwavering commitment to the arts. In this episode, he shares invaluable insights into leadership, venue management, programming strategies, and the importance of community engagement. Whether you're a seasoned arts professional or someone just starting in the industry, Ty's experiences offer valuable lessons for anyone looking to navigate the complex and rewarding world of performing arts management. - [Podcast Episode 5](https://prism.fm/podcast/ep-5/): Intro Paragraph: In this episode of The Live Music Industry Podcast, we sit down with Ryan Honey, Executive Director of TACAW (The Arts Campus at Willits), to explore the world's first net-zero all-electric performing arts facility. Located in the heart of the U.S., TACAW is a groundbreaking venue that generates more energy than it consumes, setting a new standard for sustainability in the arts. Through an in-depth conversation, Ryan shares the story behind this innovative venue, its cutting-edge design, and the operational strategies that make it a model for other cultural institutions. From renewable energy to carbon-free touring, this episode delves into the challenges and triumphs of creating a performing arts space that is both artistically inspiring and environmentally responsible. - [Podcast Episode 6](https://prism.fm/podcast/ep-6/): In this episode, we sit down with Chris Cobb, the longtime owner of the iconic Nashville venue Exit/In, to discuss the current state of independent music venues in the city and beyond. With over 20 years of experience in the industry, Cobb offers an insider's perspective on the challenges independent venues face-from rising property values and the economic fallout of the pandemic to legal battles and the need for greater collaboration between developers, local government, and the music community. This conversation is an invaluable resource for venue owners, artists, and anyone passionate about the future of live music in Nashville and around the country. - [Podcast Episode 7](https://prism.fm/podcast/ep-7/): In this episode of The Live Music Industry Podcast, host Max sits down with Cody Cowan, the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the National Independent Venue Association (NIVA), to discuss the future of live music and the ongoing challenges faced by independent venues. With the live music industry continuing to recover from the devastating impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, Cody offers a unique perspective on NIVA's advocacy efforts, the importance of transparency in ticketing, and the need for collaboration across the music industry to build a sustainable future. From legislative battles to consumer behavior shifts, Cody shares his insights on the evolving landscape of live music and how NIVA is working to ensure fair compensation for artists and viable operations for independent venues. - [Podcast Episode 8](https://prism.fm/podcast/ep-8/): In this episode of The Live Music Industry Podcast, we dive deep into the flourishing music scene of Wichita, Kansas, with two key players: Jessie and Adam Hartke. Having been involved in the local music community for over 15 years, Jessie and Adam share their vision for building a sustainable, independent music ecosystem that supports both emerging and established artists. From creating venues and artist development programs to promoting collaboration and community, this episode highlights the unique challenges and opportunities that come with shaping the future of the music industry in a mid-sized city. - [Podcast Episode 9](https://prism.fm/podcast/ep-9/): In this episode of The Live Music Industry Podcast, we sit down with Andrew Harper, Senior Talent Buyer at Rocky Road Touring, a respected boutique talent agency based in New Orleans, Louisiana. With extensive experience booking tours for bands like A Giant Dog and Sweet Spirit, Andrew provides valuable insights into the complexities of booking concerts, particularly in politically volatile regions. He also discusses the evolving role of boutique talent agencies in the live music industry, the challenges of international touring, the financial implications of currency fluctuations, and how technology is transforming the booking process. - [Podcast Episode 10](https://prism.fm/podcast/ep-10/): n this episode of The Live Music Industry Podcast, we dive into the critical issue of ticketing reform with two key figures from the National Independent Venue Association (NIVA)-Dayna Frank, President of NIVA, and Stephen Parker, Executive Director. Dayna and Stephen discuss the powerful 'Fix the Tix' initiative, a legislative effort designed to address the challenges caused by secondary ticket sales, scalping, and deceptive practices in the ticketing market. The initiative aims to create a fairer, more transparent ticketing environment, ensuring that tickets are accessible to genuine fans at prices set by artists and promoters. With firsthand insights, advocacy tips, and a vision for the future of live music, this episode is an essential listen for anyone invested in the future of live music, ticketing, and fan experience. - [Podcast Episode 11](https://prism.fm/podcast/ep-11/): In this episode of The Live Music Industry Podcast, we sit down with Mark Williamson, the Co-founder and CEO of ROSTR, a cutting-edge platform that's changing the way industry professionals track relationships and data in the music business. Mark takes us on a journey through his fascinating career, from his pivotal role in launching Spotify in the U.S. in 2011 to the creation and evolution of ROSTR, which serves as a real-time music industry directory and data platform. - [Podcast Episode 12](https://prism.fm/podcast/ep-12/): In this episode of The Live Music Industry Podcast, host Breeze sits down with JR Denson, CEO and co-founder of Prekindle and Space Colonel Management, to explore the rapidly evolving landscape of the ticketing industry. JR shares his journey from being an artist to launching Prekindle, a ticketing platform that prioritizes community engagement, exceptional customer service, and flexibility. In a candid conversation, JR delves into the challenges and opportunities facing ticketing companies today, including the DOJ lawsuit against Live Nation and Ticketmaster, the aftermath of the Taylor Swift ticketing debacle, and how AI is set to revolutionize the live music experience. Whether you're an artist, event organizer, or simply interested in the future of live events, this episode offers a wealth of insights. - [Podcast Episode 13](https://prism.fm/podcast/ep-13/): In this insightful episode of The Live Music Industry Podcast, we sit down with Paul Bradley, CEO and Founder of Master Tour and Eventric, to explore the journey behind the creation and growth of Master Tour-a game-changing software that helps major artists, managers, and crews streamline and manage their touring logistics. From its humble beginnings as a simple database to its evolution into a robust, industry-standard tour management platform, Paul shares his unique perspective on how technology is shaping the live music industry. The conversation also delves into the challenges faced during the COVID-19 pandemic, the increasing role of AI in tour management, and Master Tour's commitment to supporting mental health within the touring community. - [Podcast Episode 14](https://prism.fm/podcast/ep-14/): In this exciting episode of The Live Music Industry Podcast, Matt sits down with Fabrice, the co-founder and managing partner of Bandsintown, to explore how this industry-leading platform is transforming the live music scene. From its early beginnings to becoming a global powerhouse with over 85 million registered users, Bandsintown has revolutionized the way fans discover concerts and how artists connect with their audiences. With a strong focus on innovation, the episode delves into the cutting-edge AI-driven concert recommendations, artist tools for event management, and the evolving future of the live music industry. - [Podcast Episode 17](https://prism.fm/podcast/ep-17/): In this episode of The Live Music Industry Podcast, host sits down with Rami Haykal-Manning, Founder & COO of Elsewhere, one of Brooklyn's most dynamic and influential live music venues. Rami shares the story of how he raised $3.5 million to bring Elsewhere to life and discusses the challenges and triumphs of running a major venue in one of New York City's most vibrant music scenes. Their conversation explores the shifting landscape of the live music industry, the emotional power of live performances, and the role of venues in supporting local artists and communities. - [Podcast Episode 16](https://prism.fm/podcast/ep-16/): In this episode, Bruce Finkelman and Craig Golden, co-founders of 16 on Center, take listeners on an in-depth journey through their entrepreneurial evolution in Chicago's live music scene. From the early days of the legendary Empty Bottle to their ambitious expansion into new venues and restaurant ventures, they share the story of how they transformed a passion for live music into a flourishing independent venue empire. Their story is one of persistence, creativity, and a deep connection to both the local community and the musicians who made Chicago's music scene one of the most dynamic in the country. - [Podcast Episode 15](https://prism.fm/podcast/ep-15/): In this exciting episode of The Live Music Industry Podcast, we dive deep into the transformative world of live music marketing with Ian Roberts, CEO of HIVE. As one of the leading innovators in the field, Ian shares how his team has revolutionized marketing strategies for live music events, leveraging cutting-edge technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI), Virtual Reality (VR), and Augmented Reality (AR). This conversation offers a fascinating glimpse into how live music is evolving and what it takes to thrive in an ever-changing industry. - [Why choose Prism](https://prism.fm/why-choose-prism/): Because we invented the end-to-end solution for live music organizers - [Media Insights](https://prism.fm/media-insights/):  Keeping you up to date on the live music industry's latest news, trends and technology. - [APAP 2024](https://prism.fm/apap-2024/): APAP 2024 - [Time Value Calculator](https://prism.fm/time-value-calculator/): How many hours are you spending booking and settling shows? Use this calculator to better understand about how much time you need to run your business - and how much of that time could be saved by using Prism! - [IEBA 2023](https://prism.fm/ieba/): Prism aims to streamline and centralize the process of managing concerts and events. By replacing error-prone spreadsheets with a secure, mobile-friendly platform, teams can manage more with less. From hold, to offer, to settlement, Prism eliminates costly redundancies while improving team communication. - [Podcast](https://prism.fm/podcast/): Sign up to be notified when a new episode drops - [How a Philadelphia Production Company Uses Automation to be 4x More Efficient](https://prism.fm/risingsun/): Graham Noel has an insatiable appetite for efficiency. He booked his first events using Google Docs and a manual calculator (analog?), without even a spreadsheet in sight. Fast forward to today - and, he's now the Senior Talent Buyer of Rising Sun Presents, a full-service independent live event production company that produces over 1,200 events across both their own venues, and a growing number of additional venues across Philadelphia. As you might expect, Graham has had to evolve his strategy and operations over the years to adapt to the ebbs and flows of the Live Music industry, and the tides of the uncharted waters of the Pandemic. - [Relix Landing Page](https://prism.fm/relix-2/): Prism is being used to plan hundreds of thousands of concerts & live events at over 2,500 venues worldwide. - [Tower Theatre OKC leverages Prism to Streamline Operations, Boost Efficiency and Reduce Stress](https://prism.fm/success-stories/tower-theatre-okc/): Passion and creativity are at the heart of the live music industry, igniting the souls of fans and live music professionals alike. For Chad Whitehead, that passion began in his youth when he volunteered in the Salt Lake City music scene as part of the street team for various concerts and events. As he grew older, he honed his skills by working more closely with music promoters and eventually started promoting his own shows. Despite carving out a successful career in the industry, the 2008 mortgage banking crisis forced Chad to call it quits, thinking he had run his course in music. - [Relix](https://prism.fm/relix/): "It's a fantastic program. I wish every venue in America would use it! It would save them a lot of time and help them avoid a lot of mistakes."Chad WhitemanTower Theatre OKC - [How the Toulouse Theatre Unlocked Business Insights and Improved Their Booking Process](https://prism.fm/success-stories/toulouse-theatre/): Nestled in the heart of New Orleans' French Quarter, the Toulouse Theatre (formerly known as One Eyed Jacks) is a historic and intimate performance space showcasing an eclectic array of touring musical acts. But it's more than just a venue - it's a community hub dedicated to promoting emerging and established artists alike. - [Why Marc Geiger went with Prism when starting SaveLive instead of building his own system](https://prism.fm/success-stories/savelive/): It's no secret that independent venues have been hit hard by not only the pandemic but entertainment giants sensing blood in the water and buying up smaller venues outright. Consolidation is accelerating, yet many venues want to remain at least partially independent and stay true to their roots. And even while live music is back in full force, most venues are playing catch-up, trying to rebuild their coffers as they fight to attract talent and turn a profit without all of the resources the larger companies have at their disposal. - [Booking software built for agencies. By agencies: a faster path to success for Atlas Touring](https://prism.fm/success-stories/atlas-touring/): As a newly formed, Charleston-based agency for independent musicians, Atlas Touring did what many startup agencies do: use business systems they'd heard of and internal tools they maybe used in their previous jobs. For Matt Washburn and Caleb Coker, Altas Touring founders, that meant using a basic booking software application, spreadsheets and Google Docs. Their mix of tools worked okay, but they felt it was archaic with too many redundancies and steps to get the needed data and take any action.  - [Goldengate Talent Agency Gains More Time to Invest in Relationships](https://prism.fm/success-stories/goldengate-talent-agency/): After 15 years of working as a talent agent and entering into the pandemic shutdowns, Jason Kupperman ("Kup") realized that it was time to go out on his own to write his own story. And why not? Artists needed support more than ever, and Kup was uniquely capable of building a business dedicated to artists. - [Success Stories](https://prism.fm/success-stories/): Ready to ditch the endless spreadsheets? Prism's live music management software is revolutionizing how venue owners, promoters, and agents run their events. Our platform cuts through the chaos, making it easier than ever to manage live music with precision and ease. See how the pros are streamlining their workflow and dominating the industry with Prism. - [Live Music Industry Podcast](https://prism.fm/podcast-old/): Prism is being used to plan hundreds of thousands of concerts & live events at over 2,500 venues worldwide. - [Co-Pro](https://prism.fm/co-pro/): We've made it.  - [Etix Blast](https://prism.fm/etixblast/): Prism is being used to plan hundreds of thousands of concerts & live events at over 2,500 venues worldwide. - [Americanafest 2022](https://prism.fm/americanafest/): We are also proud to sponsor the Madison House Day Party happening on Thursday right after the Live Music Summit, please sign up on the right to get more information closer to the date, and to be invited to attend. - [Referral](https://prism.fm/referral/): Last year, Prism was used to plan 27,000 concerts at 2,300 venues worldwide. - [Pabst Theater Group Is Making the Most Out of the Shut Down by Streamlining & Modernizing Operations](https://prism.fm/success-stories/pabst-theater/): Since 1895, Pabst Theater has been a favorite local venue in the heart of Milwaukee, once home to one of the most respected German theater companies in the U.S. And while Pabst Theater has evolved over the years into the Pabst Theater Group which includes The Pabst Theater, The Riverside Theater, Turner Hall Ballroom, and The Back Room @ Colectivo, its roots are firmly planted in live entertainment. - [Why Prism for Agencies](https://prism.fm/why-prism-for-agencies/): Prism reduces the administrative burden of managing bookings, contracts, invoices, financials, and payments. - [Shared Holds](https://prism.fm/shared-holds/): Eliminate the redundant, time-wasting process of requesting, approving holds, or managing holds with real-time calendar syncing that instantly and automatically keeps everyone on the same page. - [Events](https://prism.fm/category/events/): Schedule My Demo - [Contact Us](https://prism.fm/contact/): Prism has an open door policy. If you have a question, comment or want additional information, contact us to chat. - [Get Started](https://prism.fm/get-started/): Increase Accuracy With Real-time Data - [Why Prism for Venues](https://prism.fm/why-prism-for-venues/): Finally - the venue management software that's actually built from the ground up for venue operators. Prism makes your life easier, whether you manage a 300 cap club, performing arts center, amphitheater, or arena. - [Why Prism for Venues & Promoters](https://prism.fm/why-prism-for-venues-and-promoters/): Wondering how to take things to the next level? With Prism's robust set of features designed for venues and promoters, you can streamline your booking process with our booking software for venues, improve financial planning, increase efficiency, and boost profitability.  - [Why Prism](https://prism.fm/why-prism/): Finally. Live event management software that actually works the way it should for music industry professionals. It's automated, integrated, and streamlined, so you can do more with less. - [White Oak Music Hall Uses COVID Shut-Down as Opportunity to Improve Operations and Efficiency](https://prism.fm/success-stories/white-oak-music-hall/): The COVID-19 pandemic has caused an avalanche of implications we may feel for decades to come. One of the hardest-hit industries is entertainment. With nations across the globe requiring businesses to close for months on end and residents to remain home except to retrieve essential items, the once lively music scene has been forced to take an unprecedented pause. - [Product](https://prism.fm/product/): Source of Truth & Record - [About Us](https://prism.fm/about/): Prism is the only booking software that solves the unique productivity issues of music industry pros. Our small and growing team is headquartered in Austin, Texas, the live music capital of the world, where we're hustling to create the best booking software for the entertainment industry and service clients around the world. - [Home page](https://prism.fm/): The industry standard for Promoters & Talent Buyers., Talent Agencies., Performing Arts Centers., Clubs & Theaters., Amphitheaters & Arenas, Event Venues., Broadway Presenters. - [Come and Take It Productions](https://prism.fm/success-stories/come-and-take-it-productions/): It's no secret that Austin is a hub for live music artists and fans. At last count, Austin boasted 200 live music venues and and nearly 2,000 bands and performing artists in and around the city. As great as the performing arts scene is, however, it poses challenges for promoters who must compete for an audience who has dozens of options any night of the week. They must be good at what they do, earning trust from artists, promoters and venue owners while often juggling family, long days and late nights. - [MOKB Presents Evolves from a Popular Blog Site to Producing 1,500 Events and Counting](https://prism.fm/success-stories/mokb-presents/): MOKB Presents began as a music blog ("My Old Kentucky Blog") created by Craig Lile. Since that time, the blog evolved to include a weekly music show on SiriusXMU. When Josh Baker connected with Lile at a concert, ideas were thrown around to combine their love of music with their experience working various jobs in the live music industry. The two began putting on monthly concerts in Indianapolis at local nightclubs. After their first few shows were a resounding success, the duo rolled out the moniker MOKB Presents as their promotions company. Never in their wildest dreams did they imagine their small concerts would expand to be a full-service event management, promotion and marketing powerhouse. - [Terms of Use](https://prism.fm/tos/): Prism FM Inc. ("Prism") provides technology-enabled services, including the Software as a Service offering branded as Prism, the website at https://prism.fm/ and related domains and subdomains, and other related software, content, and services, including all versions and upgrades thereto (collectively, the "Services").  Your use of the Services is subject to and governed by the terms and conditions in this Terms of Use (this "TOU"). Prism may, at its discretion, update this TOU at any time. You can access and review the most current version of this TOU at the URL for this page or by clicking on the "Terms of Use" link within the Services, or as otherwise made available by Prism. - [Privacy Policy](https://prism.fm/privacy-policy/): The purpose of this Privacy Policy is to describe how Prism FM Inc. ("Prism") may collect, use, store, disclose and process ("process") your information, through your access to or use of the Prism platform, including the website and associated domains of prism.fm, related Prism mobile applications, any other Prism services or websites that link to this Privacy Policy, all of which as may be updated from time-to-time, including any successor websites, domains, and mobile applications (collectively, the "Service"). - [Prism Blog – Venue Insights](https://prism.fm/category/venue-insights/): Keeping you up to date on the latest news, trends and technology. - [Blog](https://prism.fm/blog/): Welcome to the Prism Blog, your go-to source for insights and trends in the music industry. Dive into expert advice on using our artist management software and stay ahead of the curve with tips on maximizing your live music management software experience. this is a test