Live Music Industry News: GigSalad gets Cool • Billboard Power Players • More
In the latest live music industry news, Dave Cool has been named VP of Marketing & Business Development at GigSalad. Cool (his real name) spent 14+ years at Bandzoogle, most recently as Chief Relationship Officer. This includes after its 2023 acquisition by DistroKid.
GigSalad is an online marketplace connecting event planners with entertainers and service providers in the U.S. and Canada. It acts as a one-stop-shop for booking talent like musicians, DJs, speakers, and event services like photographers and bartenders.
More Live Music Industry News
• The importance of the independent live music sector was on full display in the new Billboard Touring Power Players list. The National Independent Talent Organization’s (NITO) Nathaniel Marro and National Independent Venue Associations’s (NIVA) Stephen Parker each got much deserved nids.
ROAM, Sound Talent Group (STG), TBA, Cara Lewis Group and the MAC Agency were among the independent booking teams honored. Independent venue First Avenue also made the cut.
• A new study by Aqua surveyed 2,000 UK adults on their Live Music & Event Spending Habits. It studied how social media drove decisions, and how many purchases ultimately lead to regret. Key findings:
- Brits spend nearly £900 each year attending concerts, theatre, and cinema – averaging £896 annually.
- 25–34-year-olds are the biggest spenders, averaging £131 a month (£1,572 a year), while 16–24-year-olds spend the least at £42 per month.
- Almost two in five Brits (37%) have spent money on a concert, theatre, or cinema in the past 12 months.
- Social media drives splurges – 70% admit platforms influence their spending.
- Purchase regret is high, with 61% wishing they hadn’t bought items linked to social media, trends, or peer pressure.
• Live music discovery leader Bandsintown furthered its mission to empower artists at all stages of their careers. They launched the Bandsintown For Artists Marketplace.
This first-of-its-kind ecosystem offers independent musicians tools to connect with fans. Unlike most “For Artists” platforms, they can control their relationship with them. [MORE]
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Bruce Houghton
