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# Live Music Industry News: GigSalad gets Cool • Billboard Power Players • More
- URL: https://www.hypebot.com/live-music-industry-news-gigsalad-gets-cool-nito-niva-and-more/
- Published: 2025-10-30T12:30:00.000Z
- Updated: 2025-10-30T15:02:44.000Z
- Description: 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.
- Author: Bruce Houghton
- Tags: Live & Ticketing, Music Business, The Live Stage, music, music industry, musician, musicians, #wp, #wp-post, #Import 2026-01-21 11:15

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](https://www.gigsalad.com/?ref=hypebot.com)** 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](https://www.billboard.com/p/touring-power-players-2025-list/?ref=hypebot.com)** 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**](https://www.aquacard.co.uk/?ref=hypebot.com) 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](https://www.hypebot.com/bandsintown-expands-mission-to-empower-artists-with-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. \[[MORE](https://www.hypebot.com/bandsintown-expands-mission-to-empower-artists-with-marketplace/)\]

#### **Stay up to date with the latest Live Music Industry News under [LIVE INDUSTRY NEWS](https://www.hypebot.com/live-music-industry-news/) tabs above.**

*Bruce Houghton*