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(RECORDING): Make More Money Webinar: 2024 Wrapped and 2025 Predictions

Watch our final Make More Money webinar of 2024!
Written by
Joel Hubartt
Published on
January 9, 2025

We've had an awesome year of live events featuring venue owners and operators all across the world. Join us for our final Make More Money webinar of the year!

Panelists:

  • Jacki Becker, Founder, Up To Eleven and Booker of Talent, Mammoth Live
  • Stephen Chilton, Owner/Talent Buyer, The Rebel Lounge and Psyko Steve Presents
  • Matthew Smith, General Manager / Talent Buyer at The UC Theatre
  • Daniel St. Pierre, Owner of Tuffy’s Music Box

We reflect on 2024 and explore what’s ahead for 2025.

  • Key drivers of ticket sales and revenue in 2024
  • Challenges and trends impacting the independent venue industry
  • Predictions for independent venues for 2025: How can you sell more tickets in the new year?

5 Takeaways from Panelists:

1. The 2023 concert season was exceptional, with high demand and ticket sales, leading to unrealistic expectations and overbooking for 2024. [06:28] Many promoters and venues got "caught holding the bag" on shows that underperformed. [09:07]

2. Successful strategies for 2024 included being more selective on bookings, lowering ticket prices, and finding new revenue streams like VIP packages and non-traditional events. [06:28] Stronger partnerships and collaboration between promoters, venues, and artists were also emphasized. [50:38]

3. The panelists expect the "pendulum" of the live music industry to continue swinging, with stadium/arena shows remaining dominant for now, but the potential for a contraction in the festival market and a return to more mid-level touring acts. [18:18]

4. Adapting to changing audience behaviors, especially younger Gen Z fans, and leveraging new technologies were cited as key priorities for the future. [54:26]

5. Factors contributing to the 2024 challenges included:

-Artists pushing for bigger rooms and higher ticket prices based on 2023 success, which didn't always match demand [08:17]

-Increased operating costs like travel, staffing, and insurance

-Lower ticket sales and attendance, especially in the fall, due to economic uncertainty and competition from high-priced stadium/arena shows

Watch the recording:

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