Q & A
Each month, MusicBizAdvice.com answers your questions about the music industry.
Successful Tour Without Label Tour Support?
Q.
Could a signed, major label artist whose last album didn't do well have a
good tour without label support or tour support money? P.N.
A.
If we're talking venues 10,000 seats and up, it's a matter of opinion but my
answer is yes, under certain conditions. The artist could have a successful
tour at large venues without label support or tour support money IF they
were signed to a major label and:
1.The artist is a well-established, "household-name" artist with past
successes and a strong back catalog.
2. The artist is active in other areas of the industry, such as writing or
producing for other artists, charity work, etc. that are well-covered in the
media.
3. The artist still has a large, active fan base.
4. The artist is financially well-off enough to finance much of the tour
himself or herself.
5. The artist secures sponsorships and endorsements to defray the costs of
the tour.
I think that due to the vast distribution channels available to major label
artists as compared to independents, an artist on a truly independent label
would have trouble pulling off a financially successful, large-venue tour.
To have a successful tour an artist needs the ancillary services, staff, and
contacts major labels have access to--even if it means hiring them yourself
as consultants.
As for indie artists, never say never, but I've seen too many independent
artists get stranded out on the road in the middle of a tour to feel
comfortable risking a large-venue tour. A hugely-financed, well-connected
independent label affiliated with a successful major label and a good
publicist is a different animal, but caution would still be advisable.
Thanks for your excellent question!
Randi Reed
Editor-in-Chief / Founder
MusicBizAdvice.com
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