(Hypebot) — When you get previous the highest 5% dominated by Reside Nation and AEG dwell music excursions, venues and festivals within the US are treading water and, in lots of instances, struggling to outlive. The bi-partisan American Music Tourism Act hopes to harness music tourism to alter that.
The US boasts one of many world’s largest music industries, which generates over $43 billion in income annually. Music tourism is projected to generate over $11.3 billion in income nationwide by 2032.
Launched this week by U.S. Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) and John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), the bipartisan laws would:
- Require the Commerce Division’s Assistant Secretary for Journey and Tourism to implement a plan to assist and improve music tourism for home and worldwide guests.
- Require a report back to Congress on the findings and achievements of those efforts.
“Music venues are keepers of our tradition. From Pink Rocks to the Grand Ole Opry, and tons of of small venues throughout our nation, hundreds of thousands go to Colorado and all our states to listen to world-class musicians and join with one another,” mentioned Sen. Hickenlooper.
Why is 95% of dwell music struggling?
The explanations for the downturn for all however top-tier in dwell music are advanced.
Components embrace elevated competitors from mega-tours for finite ticket {dollars}, new post-pandemic habits that embrace going out and ingesting much less, and rising prices for artists and venues.
The brand new laws is a far cry from the grassroots venue and competition subsidies underneath severe consideration within the UK and Australia, however its seen as a begin.
A various coalition has thrown their assist behind the invoice together with the Recording Academy, the RIAA, Reside Nation, the Nationwide Unbiased Venues Affiliation, the Nashville Songwriter’s Affiliation Worldwide, the Colorado Music Corridor of Fame, the Underground Music Showcase, and extra.
“From rural communities to metropolis facilities, unbiased levels entice funding and guests for the artists and professionals that placed on reveals and the eating places, retail, and sights round them,” mentioned Stephen Parker, Government Director of the Nationwide Unbiased Venue Affiliation (NIVA). “The American Music Tourism Act lastly acknowledges music tourism as a catalyst for financial improvement and ensures its progress is a nationwide precedence.”
“Music has lengthy performed an vital position in our economic system and tradition. This invoice will amplify the music group’s contributions to financial progress and improve understanding of music’s impression on the U.S. and the world,” mentioned Todd Dupler, Chief Advocacy and Public Coverage Officer of the Recording Academy.
Bruce Houghton is the Founder and Editor of Hypebot, a Senior Advisor at Bandsintown, President of the Skyline Artists Company, and a Berklee Faculty Of Music professor.