GigSalad: Private Events Are Major Revenue Source for Musicians

Even as the music industry grapples with artificial intelligence, there is growing evidence that the “human element” isn’t just surviving – it’s thriving. While music’s 2025 was defined by AI and algorithms, it also marked a record-breaking year for live, in-person musical experiences.

New data from GigSalad, the online marketplace for live entertainment for private and corporate events, show growth in music bookings across North America. The results alongside 2025 data from Bandsintown and Live Nation paint a clear picture. As AI-generated content becomes ubiquitous, audiences are placing a higher premium on real human connection.

Monetizing Private Events For Musicians

The numbers from 2025 show that event planners are willing to invest heavily in the energy of live performances:

• Total Revenue: GigSalad bookings generated $12,843,000 in revenue for artists, a 12% increase year-over-year.
• Booking Volume: The platform facilitated 25,235 music bookings, up 10.6% from 2024.
• The “Un-replicable” Factor: Despite AI’s ability to write songs or simulate voices, it cannot replace the physical energy of a musician playing for a live crowd.

“AI can write songs, generate beats, and simulate voices, but it cannot replace the energy of a great musician playing for a real audience,” said Mark Steiner, CEO and Co-Founder of GigSalad. “What we are seeing in these numbers is a growing hunger for experiences that feel human, emotional, and memorable”.

Where the Demand is Shifting

The growth in 2025 wasn’t just in traditional concert venues, but in the private sector where “real-world connection” is the primary goal.

Musicians are increasingly building sustainable careers by monetizing private events, corporate functions, and community gatherings. They create reliable income streams that can bypass the volatility of streaming and traditional touring.

Top “Human-Centric” Categories for 2025:

• The Instrumentalists: Violinists, pianists, and saxophone players.
• The Atmosphere Makers: DJs, jazz bands, and classical guitarists.
• The Entertainers: Cover bands, mariachi bands, and one-man bands.

These artists are filling a void that technology simply cannot reach. In particular, this happens at high-touch events like birthday parties, weddings, and corporate cocktail hours.

GigSalad: The Verdict for 2026 & Beyond

As the digital world becomes increasingly automated, the appetite for live music acts is a necessary counterweight.

For independent artists, the takeaway is clear: the ability to provide a “human, emotional, and memorable” moment is now one of the most valuable assets in the marketplace.

Bruce Houghton is Founder & Editor of Hypebot, Senior Advisor at Bandsintown, a Berklee College Of Music professor and founder of Skyline Artists.