‘On The Road Again’ Helps Dissipate Live Nation Merch Fees
In tandem with Willie Nelson, Live Nation is launching the On The Road Again program “to support developing artists and crew at the club level.” While it might not be a forever thing (Live Nation hasn’t set “an end date for the program” according to MBW), Live Nation has said that all the benefits from this program “are being provided directly from the venue’s existing earnings, with no increases to consumers.”
What does this program provide? The headliner is musicians and groups keeping 100% of the profits from their merchandise, which is big. I use to work at a Live Nation venue and I was always astounded that the venue was taking a cut of the merch. Another benefit mentioned is an extra $1,500 per show to cover fuel/travel expenses and that gets paid to each headliner and each opener at participating venues. The program even extends beyond musicians, with Live Nation making the pledge to provide “financial bonues to local promoters….tour reps that live life on a bus, as well as venue crew members.” In terms of providing for crew members, On The Road Again is donating $5 million to Live Nation’s Crew Relief Fund and matching “dollar for dollar” the contributions given by artists, fans, and employees.
Ok, here’s my skinny. This all seems great, but I want to see this in practice. Live Nation has spent years squeezing musicians and their teams for all the money they can, and now they want to turn over a new leaf. I don’t think it’s a bad thing at all. I’m all for this.
I just want to see it actually work.
To learn more about the On The Road Again program, visit https://roadagain.live/
To learn more about the Crew Nation Relief Fund, visit https://musicforwardfoundation.org/crew-nation-fund/
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