Challenges for the future of live music: A review of contemporary developments in the live music sector

May combine two claims.

The operating costs for venues and festivals have risen quite drastically over the last decades, while revenues and profits are under increasing pressure.

“A general observation in most reports is that the operating costs for venues and festivals have risen quite drastically over the last decades, while revenues and profits are under increasing pressure.”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

The competitive environment of live music venues and festivals is generally perceived as a major challenge in the reports under study.

“The competitive environment of live music venues and festivals is generally perceived as a major challenge in the reports under study.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

One of the most dominant issues in the various reports is the impact of noise.

“One of the most dominant issues in the various reports is the impact of noise.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based).

Most reports advocate for dedicated live music policies and funding opportunities or structural local government support, especially aimed at the small-and medium-sized venues.

“By way of solution to these seemingly persistent operational issues of the live music sector, most reports advocate for dedicated live music policies and funding opportunities or structural local government support, especially aimed at the small-and medium-sized venues.”

May combine two claims.

Competition is stark within the live music ecology - between venues, between venues and festivals and between venue programmers and promotors.

“These developments illustrate that competition is stark within the live music ecology -between venues, between venues and festivals and between venue programmers and promotors.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

Live music is always shaped by the materiality of a musical place, such as its size and physical accessibility.

“This approach thus recognizes that live music is always shaped by the materiality of a musical place (e.g.size and physical accessibility).”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

The live music industry is a superstar market where a small number of big players take most of the revenues, echoing income inequalities observed in society at large.

“It has been argued that the live music industry is a superstar market where a small number of big players take most of the revenues, echoing income inequalities that can be observed in society at large (Krueger 2019).”

• cites Krueger 2019Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

Live music does not exist in a vacuum but is part of a complex ecosystem consisting of many interdependent elements in local, national and international contexts.

“Live music does not exist in a vacuum but is part of a complex ecosystem consisting of many interdependent elements in the local, national and international contexts.”

• cites Elbourne 2013Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S1 (asserted), S3 (load-bearing).

Hamilton's music scene could get lost beside the magnitude of Toronto and its initiatives.

“The Hamilton Music Strategy report discusses the problem of being located so close to Toronto, fearing that 'Hamilton's music scene could get lost beside the magnitude of Toronto and its initiatives' (Priel 2014: 18)”

• cites Priel 2014Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

A Music City is built on a thriving live music scene with a diversity of music offerings, support for local and indigenous cultural expression, support for larger touring acts, and ideally a balance between local artistic expression and international content.

“A Music City is invariably built on a thriving live music scene.This means more than just having a large number of live performances.It means having a diversity of music offerings, as well as support for local and indigenous cultural expression, in addition to support for larger touring acts.Ideally, there is a balance between local artistic expression and international content.”

• cites Terrill et al. 2015Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

The Dutch music venue Effenaar is experimenting with new technologies such as virtual and augmented reality in their Smart Venue project.

“Furthermore, the Dutch music venue Effenaar is experimenting with new technologies such as virtual and augmented reality in their Smart Venue project (Vermeeren 2019).”

• cites Vermeeren 2019Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

These developments imply that marketing will become more important for music organizations.

“These developments imply that marketing will become more important for music organizations (Van Dalen, Van der Hoek and Vreeke 2009).”

• cites Van Dalen, Van der Hoek and Vreeke 2009Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

A single point of contact in city halls ensures that licensing procedures become less time-consuming for event organizers.

“Furthermore, a single point of contact in city halls ensures that licensing procedures become less time-consuming for event organizers (Government of South Australia 2016).”

• cites Government of South Australia 2016Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

May combine two claims.

As a result of increased demand for accommodation, rents are increasing and some landlords are choosing to sell their properties to developers; venues like the Flowerpot in Camden have been demolished and turned into flats, whilst others have had to close due to escalating rents.

“As a result of increased demand for accommodation, rents are increasing and some landlords are choosing to sell their properties to developers.Venues like the Flowerpot in Camden have been demolished and turned into flats, whilst others have had to close due to escalating rents”

• cites Davyd et al. 2015Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

Permanent facilities for outdoor concerts, including power connection points, could reduce the time and money needed for setting-up concerts.

“Furthermore, permanent facilities for outdoor concerts, including power connection points, could reduce the time and money needed for setting-up concerts (Live Music Taskforce 2017).”

• cites Live Music Taskforce 2017Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

May combine two claims.

Musicians see their income stagnate or decline while rents are rising in many cities.

“Secondly, musicians see their income stagnate or decline, while rents are rising in many cities (Rowling 2015).”

• cites Rowling 2015Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

The quote only partly states this claim.

The weak income position of many musicians is partly the result of changes in audience tastes and the ways in which people consume music.

“First of all, it is the result of changes in audience tastes and the ways in which people consume music.”

May combine two claims.

In the UK musician survey, 68% of respondents said stagnating pay makes it difficult to bring in a viable income, rising to 80% for professional musicians.

“68% of respondents to the musician survey said that stagnating pay for musicians makes it difficult to bring in a viable income while this figure rises to 80% for those respondents identifying as professional musicians”

• cites Webster et al. 2018Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

May combine two claims.

Lock-out laws might result in less foot traffic and lower audience numbers.

“This type of regulation might result in less foot traffic and lower audience numbers (Muller and Carter 2016).”

• cites Muller and Carter 2016Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

The tech startup Peex seeks to improve the audience experience by using augmented audio, offering earbuds and an app that allow people to create their own five-channel mix of the concert sound.

“Similarly, the tech startup Peex seeks to improve the audience experience by using augmented audio, offering earbuds and an app that allow people to create their own five-channel mix of the concert sound (Hussain 2019).”

• cites Hussain 2019Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

All-ages events can help engage younger audiences, thereby encouraging youth to develop a lifelong relationship with music.

“All-ages events can help engage younger audiences, thereby encouraging youth to develop a lifelong relationship with music”

• cites Terrill et al. 2015Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

May combine two claims.

Travelling audiences and musicians generally leave a big carbon footprint, while outdoor festivals might harm flora and fauna.

“Travelling audiences and musicians generally leave a big carbon footprint, while outdoor festivals might harm flora and fauna (Webster and McKay 2016).”

• cites Webster and McKay 2016Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

Concerts are often moments where collective identities are celebrated such as those associated with subcultures, specific places or nations.

“Concerts are often moments where collective identities are celebrated such as those associated with subcultures, specific places or nations (Connell and Gibson”

• cites Connell and GibsonNot matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

May combine two claims.

Alcohol consumption is generally central to the business models of venues and festivals as well as the experience of live music.

“Alcohol consumption is generally central to the business models of venues and festivals as well as the experience of live music (Ansell and Barnard 2013;Homan, 2017;Terrill et al. 2015: 13-14).”

• cites Ansell and Barnard 2013Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

• cites Homan, 2017 sourceNot checked — no full text of the source
• cites Terrill et al. 2015Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

May combine two claims.

Overall profit margins have become very small and revenues are dependent on many other factors.

“A direct consequence is that overall profit margins have become very small and that revenues are dependent on many other factors.”

May combine two claims.

Live music often takes place in buildings that were originally not intended for musical performances, increasing the risk of sound leakage.

“Live music often takes place in buildings that were originally not intended for musical performances (Kronenburg 2019), increasing the risk of sound leakage.”

• cites Kronenburg 2019Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

May combine two claims.

As revenue from live music has grown, so too have the ways in which to make money out of it, particularly around ticket (re)selling.

“as revenue from live music has grown, so too have the ways in which to make money out of it, particularly around ticket (re)selling”

• cites Webster et al. 2018Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

Holt and Wergin observe a trend towards larger and more commercial venues in cities, which is catering for a market of headliner artists.

“Yet, Holt and Wergin (2013) observe a trend towards larger and more commercial venues in cities, which is catering for a market of headliner artists.”

• cites Holt and Wergin 2013Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

May combine two claims.

Business licensing, liquor licensing, transportation planning and parking, as well as land-use planning all have an impact on the health of the music economy.

“Business licensing, liquor licensing, transportation planning and parking, as well as landuse planning all have an impact on the health of the music economy.”

• cites Terrill et al. 2015Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

In Amsterdam the night mayor has supported the implementation of 24-hour licences for nightclubs.

“For example, in Amsterdam the night mayor has supported the implementation of 24-hour licences for nightclubs (O'Sullivan 2016).”

• cites O'Sullivan 2016Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

May combine two claims.

The professionalization of music venues raises their operating costs, making it more difficult to take risks on emerging musicians.

“The professionalization of music venues implies that their operating costs rise, making it more difficult to take risks on emerging musicians (Van Vugt 2018).”

• cites Van Vugt 2018Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

A red-tape reduction review can help to achieve an enabling culture for licensing of events and venues all year round.

“A red-tape reduction review can help to achieve such an enabling culture (Government of South Australia 2016).”

• cites Government of South Australia 2016Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

The live music market is a situation of market failure since it does not lead to optimal outcomes and there are considerable welfare losses.

“Some even refer to it as a situation of market failure (Davyd et al. 2015) since it does not lead to optimal outcomes and there are considerable welfare losses (Homan 2015).”

• cites Davyd et al. 2015Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

• cites Homan 2015Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

Some dominant companies might drive out independent organizations through, for example, exclusivity deals with artists.

“The live music report of the UK's House of Commons Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee (2019) discusses concerns that some dominant companies might drive out independent organizations through, for example, exclusivity deals with artists.”

• cites House of Commons Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee 2019Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

May combine two claims.

A professional crew and equipment improves the quality of venues but also makes it more expensive to put on a show or to hire a performance space.

“Of course, a professional crew and equipment improves the quality of venues, but also makes it more expensive to put on a show or to hire a performance space.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

Music advisory boards present an effective means to avoid potentially negative impacts of government legislation on the music community.

“Music advisory boards present an effective means to avoid potentially negative impacts of government legislation on the music community”

• cites Terrill et al. 2015Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

The trend towards larger and more commercial venues implies a separation of DIY and commercial cultural production between neighbourhoods and therefore a weakening of the ecology that constitutes a scene and ultimately a vibrant neighbourhood.

“The implication is a separation of DIY and commercial cultural production between neighbourhoods and therefore a weakening of the ecology that constitutes a scene and ultimately a vibrant neighbourhood”

• cites Holt and Wergin 2013Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

Global live music revenues, including ticket sales and sponsorship, will reach 31 billion dollar in 2022, growing at a rate of 3.3 per cent annually.

“According to industry consultant PricewaterhouseCoopers, global live music revenues, including ticket sales and sponsorship, will reach 31 billion dollar in 2022, growing at a rate of 3.3 per cent annually (Sanchez 2018).”

• cites Sanchez 2018Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

Record companies no longer invest in tours, which results in higher fees, higher costs for artists and higher ticket prices.

“The UK Live Music Census cites a venue operator/booker who explains how record companies no longer invest in tours, which results in higher fees, higher costs for artists and higher ticket prices (Webster et al. 2018: 64).”

• cites Webster et al. 2018Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based).

Years of recession, budget cuts in the cultural sector, and increasing competition between different organizations booking music have had a negative impact on the business operations of small venues in particular.

“Years of recession, budget cuts in the cultural sector and increasing competition between different organizations booking music (e.g.festivals and venues) have had a negative impact on the business operations of small venues in particular.”

May combine two claims.

Changing audience demographics challenge music organizations to cater for a wider range of communities and to diversify their programming.

“This challenges music organizations to cater for a wider range of communities and to diversify their programming.”

May combine two claims.

Many non-music venues are putting on live shows, which causes issues of identity and branding for the 'real' music venues.

“In addition, many non-music venues are putting up live shows, which causes issues of identity and branding for the 'real' music venues: 'Perhaps the most difficult aspect of venue identity therefore relates to how venues can differentiate themselves from other places that programme live music' (Parkinson et al. 2015: 40).”

• cites Parkinson et al. 2015Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based). May combine two claims.

Gentrification and urban infill imply that many music stages are struggling with rising rents and maintaining their position in city centres.

“Gentrification and urban infill imply that many music stages are struggling with rising rents and maintaining their position in city centres.”

May combine two claims.

The average government support for music venues across Europe is 42% of venues' income, with the highest being France at 60%.

“The average government support for music venues across Europe is 42% of venues' income, with the highest being France at 60%.”

• cites Davyd et al. 2015Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based).

Changing audience demographics and tastes require music organizations to adapt to the dynamic market conditions of a competitive entertainment landscape.

“Furthermore, changing audience demographics and tastes require music organizations to adapt to the dynamic market conditions of a competitive entertainment landscape.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

Music scenes can involve aspects of 'tribalism', leading to 'systems of exclusions' that hinder participation by outsiders.

“However, Carter and Muller (2015) argue that music scenes can also involve aspects of 'tribalism', leading to 'systems of exclusions' that hinder participation by outsiders.”

• cites Carter and Muller 2015Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

May combine two claims.

Many musicians face declining opportunities to perform in small venues and are often insufficiently paid by music organizations.

“These various issues are ultimately felt by many musicians, who face declining opportunities to perform in small venues and are often insufficiently paid by music organizations.”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

London faces competition from emerging music cities internationally such as Austin, Nashville and Berlin.

“Another report points at the competition London is facing from emerging music cities internationally such as Austin, Nashville and Berlin (Davyd et al. 2015: 19-20):”

• cites Davyd et al. 2015Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

May combine two claims.

The live music sector is highly unequal, with a small group of superstars and transnational corporations responsible for a large share of the revenues.

“The live music sector is highly unequal, with a small group of superstars and transnational corporations responsible for a large share of the revenues (Krueger 2019).”

• cites Krueger 2019Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

Live music ecologies are influenced by complex global and local dynamics that have an impact on their future development.

“Such live music ecologies are influenced by complex global and local dynamics that have an impact on their future development.”

May combine two claims.

Cutbacks or closures and bankruptcies are related to the recession, a general trend of diminishing audiences due to a lack of disposable income, and increasing competition from non-music sectors for audience spending.

“Parkinson et al. (2015) relate this to the recession, a general trend of diminishing audiences due to a lack of disposable income and increasing competition from non-music sectors for audience spending.”

• cites Parkinson et al. 2015Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

A narrow orientation on profit maximization in the present negatively affects the opportunities for a new generation of musicians to emerge in the years to come.

“A narrow orientation on profit maximization in the present negatively affects the opportunities for a new generation of musicians to emerge in the years to come.”