NIVA Launches 'Live Independent Tour' Certification
The National Independent Venue Association (NIVA) has launched a Live Independent Tour certification to elevate U.S. independent venues, promoters, and festivals.
First up is Los Angeles indie rock quintet Spanish Love Songs. The band’s 19-city album release tour booked by The•Team will play exclusively at independent venues.
"Our band was born and grew in independent rooms willing to take a chance on us,” says frontman Dylan Slocum of Spanish Love Songs. “We're proud to partner with NIVA, the venues, and promoters to put people over profit and work directly with the bands, crew, and fans that keep independent music thriving."
The initiative builds on NIVA's partnership with Spotify that includes monthly playlist features, and the Live Independent seal launched in partnership with Bandsintown. More than 55 million fans have discovered shows and bought tickets at independent venues and festivals through Live Independent promotion on the Bandsintown platform.
Free 'Pay It Forward' Small Tour Mental Health Support
The Music Industry Therapist Collective (MITC) has launched a $367,000 'Pay It Forward' fund to bring occupational health support to smaller love tours.
Backers include Radiohead’s Philip Selway, AEG, d&b audiotechnik, Fly By Nite, Live Free 999, Live Nation, Lockton, The Team, and Universal Pixels. The fund will provide free access to occupational health support for 150 small and mid-scale tours over the next three years. Applications are now open here.
Ticketmaster Connects To Meta's Muse AI Agent
Ticketmaster announced an integration with Muse, Meta’s new personalized AI agent. Available now in the U.S. via web, iOS and Android, Muse enables people to create their own personalized AI agents.
Fans can now discover Ticketmaster ticketed concerts, sports and live shows through conversations with their Muse agent which can also make suggestions, Fans control the purchase, which is completed on Ticketmaster’s marketplace.
Ticketmaster also has integrations with Gemini, Google AI Mode, ChatGPT, Claude and Amazon Alexa+.
Portland Had a Venue-Sized Hole, Live Nation and AEG Are Competing to Fill It
Portland, Oregon, needed a mid-sized concert venue. Apparently, it needed two.
Live Nation’s Steelhead will bring a 3,500-capacity room to Portland’s Central Eastside. Meanwhile, AEG Presents and longtime local promoter Monqui Presents are developing a flexible 2,000-to-4,250-capacity venue at the former Nordstrom site in the Lloyd Center. [Full story here]
Australia’s Venues Are Housed in Buildings They Do Not Own
Like venues in the US, Canada and the UK, Australia’s grassroots venues are running into issues securing leases and self-ownership, to protect the buildings their live scenes depend on. [Full story here]
