In 2025, the global live music scene is surging in demand. Revenue’s up. Festivals are packed. But peel back the surface, and there’s a growing disconnect. Emerging artists, mid-tier acts, and even superstars are struggling to stay on the road. What looks like a rebound year is, in fact, a cautionary tale where costs are higher than ever, grassroots venues are disappearing, and industry giants are tightening their grip.
Let’s break it down.
The Numbers Look Good But for Whom?
Live Nation CEO Michael Rapino called 2025 a “historic year” for live music. And on some level, that’s true. More fans are attending shows. Venue expansions are in motion. Artists continue to announce global tours.
But Live Nation’s own Q1 earnings told a different story:
- Concert revenue dropped 14%
- Ticketing revenue declined 4%
- Overall earnings down 11%
That’s not just a blip it’s a sign of deeper volatility in how the live business operates post-pandemic.
Touring is More Expensive Than Ever
Visa costs have quadrupled in the US. Touring expenses from fuel to freight to accommodations have spiked. That’s made it harder for both indie acts and international artists to travel, especially to the States.
Take Jason Dungan, the Copenhagen-based artist who performs as Blue Lake. Even with funding from the Danish government, he couldn’t afford visas for his full band. His solution? Hire musicians based in New York.
“I think it’s almost impossible to imagine not wanting the music to have a live component,” Dungan told Chartmetric. But love for performance isn’t enough when the economics don’t work.
Grassroots Venues Are Disappearing
The UK alone lost 125 grassroots venues in 2023 a third of its total. These small stages are vital for discovery and development, yet they’re closing due to high rents, staffing shortages, and thin margins.
Meanwhile, in the US and parts of Europe, the dominance of major operators like Live Nation and Ticketmaster is pushing independent venues and promoters out of the market entirely.
Antitrust lawsuits from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Department of Justice are still ongoing. And yet, Live Nation plans to open 20 new venues by 2026 proof that consolidation is still the path forward for big players.
Fans Are Struggling to Afford Tickets
Luxury festivals aren’t immune either. At Coachella 2025, over half of general admission attendees used payment plans something previously associated with high-end VIP packages, not base-level entry.
And it’s not just festival-goers. Ticketing fees, resale markups, and marketing consolidation have made live music less accessible across the board. California’s AB 1349 bill and the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) are both attempts to introduce transparency and crack down on fraud, but progress is slow.
Even Superstars Are Pulling Back
Tour cancellations and downsizing aren’t just an indie issue.
In the past year:
- Jennifer Lopez, The Black Keys, and Lauryn Hill all cancelled or scaled down tours due to low ticket sales.
- The number of superstar artists playing 10+ shows dropped 12% from 2022 to 2024.
- Mid-level artists saw a 7% decline in touring activity over the same period.
This suggests a recalibration even at the top.
Where Governments Step In
Some countries are investing to keep music alive. The UK’s LIVE Trust raised over £500,000 by matching £1 per ticket sold through artist contributions. Australia’s NSW government launched a record AU$9.3 million funding package for local musicians, including a AU$1.8 million travel and touring fund.
These efforts offer lifelines. But they also reveal how much public intervention is now required to maintain what used to be a self-sustaining system.
The Touring Model is Shifting
Here’s what’s different now: albums aren’t driving tours. Tours are driving album streams. Artists are using music as a way to sell an experience, not the other way around.
That’s why established names like Coldplay, Lady Gaga, Oasis, and Tyler, The Creator are doubling down on global tours, especially across Asia. And it’s why opening slots and festival invites are more strategic than ever for emerging artists they’re one of the few high-visibility opportunities left.
In short: touring has become its own marketing engine.
What Happens Next?
The live music industry still commands loyalty from artists and fans alike. But without systemic support, the barriers to entry and sustainability are only getting steeper.
Governments, platforms, and promoters will have to rethink infrastructure. Artists will have to keep adapting. And audiences may need to accept new models for how live shows are priced, accessed, and produced.
The music’s not stopping. But who gets to play and who gets to hear it might depend on what changes next.
