New report from PIRATE shows that gig fees have stagnated whilst ticket prices continue to rise

David Martin, CEO of the Featured Artists Coalition (FAC), recently coined the term “cost-of-touring crisis”. PIRATE.COM’s research underscores this crisis, revealing that 88% of touring musicians reported rising costs. Consequently, 72% of these artists are not making any profit from their tours — 48% break even, and 24% operate at a loss. Among those incurring losses, 81% reported a significant impact on their overall income.

“This research reconfirms what the Featured Artists Coalition has been saying for some time; artists are facing a cost-of-touring crisis. In May, Parliament’s Culture Select Committee agreed with us, demanding action from the industry to ensure that artists are directly funded, enabling them to develop and grow our sector. Ultimately, if artists can’t afford to play live, there is no live industry. The new government must take steps to action the Committee’s recommendations," Martin said in a statement.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by PIRATE.COM (@pirateofficial)

Rising touring expenses, including travel, accommodation, venue fees, crew wages, food, drink, and promotion, are well-known. PIRATE.COM's survey shows that gigging is equally financially draining. Only 26% of artists profit from gigs, compared to 29% from touring. Just 17% have seen an increase in gig fees, while 54% report stagnant fees and 29% have seen a decrease. For most artists, gig fees barely cover travel costs, indicating a broader cost-of-performing crisis.

While ticket price inflation isn’t translating into better pay for artists, their costs are rising, creating an almost impossible situation for musicians. Even those doing well enough to book a headline tour aren’t making money. The harsh reality is that fewer artists can afford to play live at all, with 54% stating they were less likely to tour again after making a loss. Artists taking a pragmatic approach to the cost of touring said they’d be looking at playing smaller venues with lower overhead costs, co-headlining tours to split costs with other acts, shortening tours, as well as looking for additional revenue streams from sponsorships and merchandise sales.