In this episode of The Live Music Industry Podcast, host Matt Ford speaks with Steven Parker. 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 (NIVA) 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 NIVA is uniting venues nationwide to fight for fair policies, lower costs, and sustainable growth.

• The future of advocacy through NIVA’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.