Are Concerts Still Worth It? Whatβs the Best Way to Support Musicians?
(Title image by DALL-E 3)
Hi WA Friends!
Being a musician today isn't what it used to be.
The music industry has changed, and making a living can be pretty tough. Although musical superstars like Taylor Swift, Beyonce, and Bruno Mars are doing great, the average musician is facing a variety of financial problems, and many are barely getting by.
But one thing hasn't changed: musicians need their fans to keep the music alive. So, what's the best way for you, the fans, to support them, and are live concerts still a viable source of income for the average act?
Here are a few options, each with its own benefits and potential downfalls.
Buying Albums
Buying albums might seem old-fashioned, but it's still a great way to support musicians. When you buy an album, whether itβs a digital download, a CD, or even vinyl, youβre directly helping the artist make money.
But itβs not just about the cash. Buying an album keeps the music alive. Albums are special projects where musicians tell a story, and youβre helping keep that story going.
Plus, there's something cool about holding an album in your hands, flipping through the cover art, and listening to the music the way it was meant to be heard.
I have a huge collection of albums on vinyl and CD. Both of these formats sound better than streamed music, but nothing beats the mobile convenience and variety of streaming!
Going to Concerts
There is nothing like the energy of a live show! If you want to support musicians and have an amazing time, going to concerts is the way to do it. I've been to hundreds in my lifetime, and the musical memories are mostly fabulous!
When you buy a concert ticket, you help musicians pay for gas, food, and all the gear that makes the show happen. Plus, live concert income helps to offset some of the monetary losses musicians face with people streaming single songs instead of buying entire albums.
Even more than that, live shows are what many musicians love the most because connecting with their audience face-to-face is where the magic of music really happens. Therefore, playing live is one of the primary incentives for writing and recording new music.
So, if you want to show your support and have a blast, buy that ticket, go to the show, and rock out with them. More importantly, you will be helping to keep the concert experience alive!
Purchasing Merchandise
Buying merchandise is more than just showing off your love for a band; itβs a huge help to musicians. Those T-shirts, hats, posters, and stickers you see at the merch table help them get by, especially when times are tough. Touring costs a lot, and merch sales help cover those expenses.
And, when you wear a band tee, youβre not just supporting them financially; youβre also spreading the word about their music. Every time someone sees you wearing their merch, they might decide to check them out. So, merch isnβt just gear; itβs part of the mission to keep the music going.
There's also the nostalgic component of buying merchandise. My music studio is full of posters, concert programs, hats, and mugs that I've purchased from as far back as in middle school! Beyond their nostalgic value, many types of vintage merchandise can appreciate significantly in retail price! I've had offers to buy vintage merch for hundreds of dollars!
Streaming Songs
Streaming has changed the music world, both in good and bad ways.
Itβs true that streaming doesnβt pay musicians as much as album sales or downloads, and the small payouts can make it hard for many artists to make a living.
But itβs still an important tool. Streaming gets their music out there to new people all over the world. It helps them get noticed, and that can lead to more concert tickets sold or more merch bought. If you stream their music, musicians really appreciate it - every play counts, even if itβs just a little bit. And if you like what you hear, think about buying an album or going to a show!
I stream music and music videos throughout most of the day on Amazon Music Unlimited and YouTube while working on my laptop, tablet, and my smartphone, not to mention all the music I stream in the car on Sirius XM.
When I relax at home, I listen to music on vintage vinyl and watch music concert videos on DVD and Blu-ray.
Tell Me What You Think
Every way you support musicians makes a difference and helps keep the music alive!
But do you think that, despite the high ticket prices, live concerts are still a viable resource for musicians and fans?
What's your favorite way to support your favorite musicians? Please choose only one answer.
- Buying Their Albums
- Going to Concerts
- Purchasing Merchandise
- Streaming Their Songs
- Other
Let me know in the comments, AND ...
Keep On Rockin' It! π€
(Pin created by DALL-E 3)
Frank πΈ
~75% Human written content.
Recent Comments
25
Streaming certainly seems the way to listen to music these days Frank, but... how much it helps the musician/band... I really don't know!!
Personally... going to a live concert is preferable for me, but.... the agents and promoters take so much of the profits these days.. how much do the musicians actually receive??
Live is still the best way to listen to music in my book though!!
Rock On!!
ππΈππ»π€£πΈ
Hi Nick
Yes, touring expenses are enormous these days and streaming profits are not typically sizable for most artists.
The cost of live concerts for big acts is very cost prohibitive. You can easily pay $400 for a pair of VIP tickets!
I stream out of convenience and when Iβm mobile, like most people.
Rock On! π€π»
Frank πΈ
Can't disagree with you here Frank but... 400 bucks for a pair of VIP tickets is a bargain!!
Rock the weekend my friend!!
ππ€£πΈππΈ
Hi Nick
Yeah, we paid $600 for VIP tickets to see and meet Joe Satriani.
Itβs crazy! π€ͺ
Frank π€πΈπ»
Again... a bargain from where I am from Frank!
The last time I booked some tickets for a live show were at least $600 each... and certainly not VIP!!!
Rock the rest of your Sunday my friend!!
ππ»πΈππΈ
Insane indeed Frank!!
Have a look at how much the Oasis reunion tickets are selling for!!
I love the band, but... I'm not paying that!!
Happy Sunday my friend and Rock It!!
ππΈππΈπ»
Hi Nick
Oasis reunion tickets are selling for about $250 each (Non-VIP) in the USA.
I remember going to major rock concerts with my brother when I was in high school, and they sold for $2.50 each - 100 times less! Lol π
Frank π€πΈπ»
That's a bargain Frank! I tried to get some tickets for their Manchester dates and they were 10x that!!
It would be cheaper for me to fly over the pond, stay in a reasonably priced 4 star hotel for a few days, enjoy the concert and still stay for a week or so sightseeing than pay the prices offered back in the UK!!
That's life my friend!!
Rock On!!
ππ€£π»ππΈπΈ
Luckily, Nick, I have over 500 pro-shot music concerts on DVD and Blu-ray. There's no better seat or sound than putting in a disk and enjoying some food & drinks! π
God, I really miss the old days! Lol π
Keep On Rockin' It π€πΆππ»
Frank πΈ
Hi Frank!
Due to space-saving issues, streaming music through Apple Music is my favorite way to listen to artists I enjoy.
Have a great day!
Years ago, I was a die-hard cd guy but my wife has slowly but surely turned me into a streaming guy. lol
I like the smaller clubs like HOB and our local venues/bars for live shows. Only time I go to big shows in an arena is if my inner circle all goes. Itβs way too expensive! I did enjoy seeing the Eagles in this way, but very rare.
Hi Steve
Yeah, I still have a big wall of CDs. They sound better than streamed music because the sound is not compressed.
Still, Iβm mostly on the go and listening to streamed tunes.
Musicians can definitely hear the sound quality difference, while most people can not.
Small club live performances with the sound done right are the best!π
Frank π€πΈ
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Hi Frank
Live music will always be my number one way to support musicians!
Unfortunately, concerts are getting very expensive. And let's face it, unless you push your way up to the stage, the view isn't that great.
I have more fun watching local musicians, who are mostly my friends, at the smaller clubs and bars than big concerts. Support your local musicians!
And Keep Rockin!! π€ππΈ
Tim πΌ
Hi Tim
Great point! π
I choose my seating at huge venues according to the genre/band. For Rock & Metal concerts, we sit up in the balcony where we can see everything, and it's not uncomfortably loud without earplugs.
For classical music, we always sit in the front row, center stage.
Rock On! π€
Frank πΈ