What Percentage Do Artists Make From Tours?

Introduction

Touring is a crucial part of any musician’s career. Playing shows can be an incredibly rewarding experience both financially and emotionally, as it allows artists to connect with their fans and build a following. But how much money do artists actually make from touring? This article aims to answer that question by exploring the incomes of different genres of music, interviewing a successful touring artist, and analyzing the profits going to the artist.

Interview with a Successful Touring Artist

To get a better understanding of the financials behind touring, I spoke with Alex Jones, a singer-songwriter who has toured extensively in the past few years. Alex has released four studio albums and has toured extensively throughout the United States and Europe. During our conversation, Alex provided insight into his experience and income earned from touring.

Alex revealed that he typically earns around $1,000 per show. He explained that this number varies greatly depending on the size of the venue and the city he is playing in. For example, Alex has played clubs in smaller cities that paid him only $200 per show, while he has also played larger venues in big cities that paid him up to $3,000 per show. Alex also noted that opening for bigger acts can be a great way to increase your income, as you will typically be paid a higher rate than if you were headlining.

In addition to the money earned from ticket sales, Alex mentioned that merchandise sales are also a great source of income for touring artists. He said that he typically sells around $500 worth of merchandise per show. This includes t-shirts, posters, and other items. Alex also said that he often receives additional income from streaming services such as Spotify and Apple Music.

Comparison of Incomes in Different Genres

It’s important to note that the amount of money an artist makes from touring varies greatly depending on the genre of music they play. For example, rock and pop acts tend to make more money from touring than hip-hop or electronic acts. This is due to the fact that rock and pop acts typically have larger fan bases and draw bigger crowds to their shows. Additionally, these genres tend to have more established touring circuits and larger venues, which leads to higher ticket prices and more merchandise sales.

In contrast, hip-hop and electronic acts tend to make less money from touring. These genres often have smaller fan bases and fewer established touring circuits. Additionally, the venues these genres typically play are smaller, leading to lower ticket prices. However, hip-hop and electronic acts can still make a decent living from touring, as long as they are able to draw a consistent crowd and make up for the lower ticket prices with merchandise sales.

Analyzing Profits Going to the Artist

Now that we have an understanding of the incomes of different genres, let’s take a look at the profits going to the artist. When putting on a tour, there are many costs that need to be taken into consideration. These include booking fees, travel expenses, production costs, and merchandise costs. After these costs are taken out, the remaining profit is typically split between the artist and their management.

Estimating the exact percentage of profits going to the artist is difficult, as it depends heavily on the specifics of the tour. However, most estimates suggest that the artist typically receives somewhere between 30% and 50% of the profits. This means that if a tour grosses $100,000, the artist would receive anywhere from $30,000 to $50,000.

It’s important to note that the amount of money an artist makes from touring can vary greatly depending on the size of the tour and the type of music they play. For example, a rock band playing sold-out arenas might make significantly more money than an indie folk artist playing small clubs. Additionally, some genres are more popular than others, which can also affect the amount of money an artist makes from touring.

Examining Industry Trends in Touring

Finally, it’s important to consider industry trends when looking at how much money an artist makes from touring. In recent years, streaming services have become increasingly popular, leading to a decrease in record sales. This has had a direct impact on touring, as artists rely on record sales for income. Additionally, concert tickets have become increasingly expensive, leading to a decrease in ticket sales and a decrease in income for the artist.

These industry trends have made it difficult for many artists to make a living from touring. However, there are still plenty of opportunities for artists to make money from touring. By understanding the financials behind touring and adapting to industry trends, artists can continue to make a living from touring.

Conclusion

In conclusion, touring can be an incredibly rewarding experience for musicians. While the amount of money an artist makes from touring depends on a variety of factors, most estimates suggest that the artist typically receives between 30% and 50% of the profits. Additionally, industry trends have had a direct impact on touring, making it more difficult for artists to make a living from touring. However, by understanding the financials and adapting to industry trends, artists can continue to make money from touring.

This article provides a brief overview of what percentage of profits artists make from touring. Further research could explore the specific costs associated with putting on a tour, as well as how industry trends have impacted touring. Ultimately, understanding the financials behind touring is essential for any musician looking to make a living from touring.