Touring Trends for Summer 2023
The live music season for this spring and summer is about to kick off with months of concerts and festivals. After what has seemed like an abbreviated or even dormant few years of live performances and touring, individual artists and bands are ready to play for their hungry yet patient fans and share the universal language of music.
The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted the music touring business, as it forced the cancellation or postponement of countless shows, festivals, and tours in the United States and worldwide. This unexpected crisis disrupted the music industry as a whole but particularly affected everyone associated with live performances, from the concert booking agency to the solo musician. It is important to note that while the pandemic caused an enormous blow to all aspects of the industry, touring trends are continuing to evolve as the industry adapts to new norms and regulations so that this vibrant sector of our society and economy can get back on its feet and celebrate a successful upcoming season.
If the last several years taught us anything, it was to learn how to be flexible and adaptable. Becoming aware of these specific trends can help all members of the music community plan touring schedules for this season and beyond. Let’s take a look at how touring has evolved and what trends to for in the coming months.
Outdoor Venues.
Tour management companies have increased their interest in outdoor venues for their artists and bands. Look for amphitheaters, festivals, and open-air stages during the spring and summer seasons to take advantage of larger spaces, warm weather, and natural surroundings.
The pandemic led to the development and implementation of new safety protocols and guidelines for live music events. For those events that still took place, music fans and attendees quickly adapted to requirements that included wearing masks, practicing social distancing, and fewer tickets sold to reduce venue capacity. Some of these protocols may still be in place to a small extent but are definitely less stringently adhered to than they were two to three years ago. Even so, many concert booking agencies look for outdoor venue options for the acts they represent.
Collaborative Tours.
The trend of collaborative tours featuring two or more bands or musicians has become increasingly popular in recent years, as they can offer a much more diverse and interesting lineup and attract a wider range of fans.
The pandemic caused many concerts and tours to be canceled or postponed indefinitely, severely affecting the music industry's economy. Many musicians, bands, and other music professionals suffered hardships because they were left without income. Collaborative tours are an effective touring concept that can consolidate the efforts of tour management businesses to book multiple acts at the same time and location, thus minimizing coordination challenges and increasing revenue.
Multi-City, Regional, and Local Music Festivals.
Large-scale music festivals have come a long way since Woodstock and similarly organized festivals. Numerous festivals across the country have evolved into a uniquely crafted experience, such as South by Southwest, Coachella, and Lollapalooza as well regional festivals in the greater Nashville, TN area, like Bonnaroo and The Pilgrimage Festival. These multi-day events host diverse lineups of popular musicians who live at the top of the charts to emerging artists trying to build a loyal following.
The potential for new artists to increase their fan base is substantial if performing at large music festivals. These events also draw huge crowds of music fans who can enjoy their favorite artists as well as discover new talent. Thousands of like-minded people form instant friendships with strangers, and all have the same goal—experiencing live music performances from the artists and bands they love.
Technology Integration.
We may all love the sound of an acoustic guitar, but when looking at the evolution of touring, technology is a booking agent’s and a musician’s best friend. Technology is playing an increasingly important role in live performance scheduling and touring. A booking agency platform is an invaluable tool for planning all parts of a tour, including acquiring bands and individual musicians and attending to all the logistics associated with a concert tour.
Organizing a tour is the very definition of multiple plates spinning. Using the efficiency of a booking agency platform or a booking app for musicians can turn an overwhelming task into a well-oiled machine. Innovative technologies may seem like a trend now. Still, they are here to stay for music professionals who want to improve their organizational skills so they can get down to the real business—playing music.
Personalized Experiences.
Some artists, musicians, and bands have not connected with their fans in quite a while, and they are trying to remedy that issue. Many of them offer personalized experiences to show gratitude to the loyal following they have dearly missed and to share time with new people to rebuild their fan base. There are many live performances and concerts that offer meet and greets, backstage tours, and VIP packages to enhance the overall live music experience.
No matter what happens in the world, nothing will keep artists, musicians, bands, and concert booking agencies down for long. The tours must go on because the music must be played. Do you need help integrating the latest booking agency platform or booking app for musicians into your touring plan? Contact our music professionals now and learn how to create a seamless, successful touring season.
