How to add tour dates to a YouTube Official Artist Channel (OAC)
Bandsintown for Artists now automatically populates an artist’s concert dates on their YouTube Official Artist Channel (OAC). Here’s everything you need to know.
Introduction
As per last week’s announcement that Bandsintown is now YouTube’s exclusive global concert source, fans can now discover when and where an artist is touring while watching their videos and Shorts, exploring their Official Artist Channel, and soon, via the YouTube homepage.
For artists, this integration is an opportunity to deepen your connection with fans beyond the possibilities of music discovery and content publishing that YouTube has offered prior; to meet fans where they are and present them with information relating to live events in their area.
Let’s take a deeper look at what this is, how to claim your own Official Artist Channel, and how to integrate and manage your concerts using Bandsintown for Artists.
What is a YouTube Official Artist Channel (OAC)?
A YouTube Official Artist Channel is not a regular YouTube channel. It’s a verified channel designed specifically for artists that brings together your music, videos, and fan uploads in one, convenient place.
It gives you access to YouTube Analytics for Artists and fan engagement tools, and helps consolidate subscribers, videos, and content under a unified artist brand experience. And now, OACs also feature a Concerts tab to display event listings powered by Bandsintown for Artists.
Applying for a YouTube Official Artist Channel (OAC)
First thing’s first, are you eligible? To be eligible for an OAC, you must meet the following requirements:
- Own and operate a single artist’s or band’s YouTube channel that is focused on the artist’s or band’s music
- Have at least 1 official music release on YouTube that has been delivered and distributed by a Music Distributor or Label
- Your channel complies with all YouTube policies including YouTube’s Community Guidelines, Terms of Service, and Copyright policies
And meet at least one of the following criteria:
- Work with a YouTube Partner Manager
- Be part of the YouTube Partner Program (“YPP”)
- Be part of a label network that works with a YouTube Partner Manager
- Your music is distributed by a music partner listed in the YouTube Services Directory for Music Partners.
Now, you can apply for your OAC by contacting your label or distributor to request an Official Artist Channel.
If you do not have a label or distributor, please reach out to a Music Service Partner in the YouTube Services Directory who can request an Official Artist Channel on your behalf, as part of delivering your music content to YouTube.
Use your Bandsintown account to add events to YouTube
Once you’ve got your OAC set up, you can then integrate your Bandsintown account and start displaying your tour dates automatically.
1: Set Up Bandsintown For Artists
- Go to Bandsintown for Artists and log in or create your artist profile
- Add your tour dates manually or import them through a ticketing partner
2: Connect Bandsintown with YouTube
- In Bandsintown For Artists, head to Integrations
- Click Connect next to YouTube (see below)
- Paste your YouTube Official Artist Channel URL and click Connect to save
3: See Your Tour Dates Live on YouTube
- Go to the Events page and make sure all your upcoming shows are added or updated
- Your events will begin appearing on YouTube within 24–48 hours
Why does this matter for artists?
YouTube and YouTube Music are among the most powerful platforms for fans to discover your music. And live performances are an incredible way to deepen the relationship with fans, creating unforgettable moments and immersive experiences to fuel their support for years to come. But just because someone is watching your content, there’s no guarantee they’ll opt to take a secondary action such as subscribing to your channel, in order to keep up-to-date.
However, with this new integration, even casual listeners and visitors to your channel and content will be able to view your upcoming tour dates, customized for proximity. This can help turn the passive and curious into ticket-buyers, ambassadors, and diehard supporters. It’s up to you to wow them with your on-stage energy and presence!
Our Takeaway
Connecting Bandsintown’s free artist-focused growth tools with YouTube’s massive global reach and incredible discovery engine gives artists at all stages in their careers the power to leverage even passive fan engagement into something much greater. And because fans who subscribe to your YouTube channel also receive notifications for your concerts in their area, it has the power to deepen already established fan connections.
Jeremy Young
