Live Nation to Drop Merch Fees, Pay $1,500 Stipend to All Club Acts

Live Nation, the world’s largest concert promoter, is launching an ambitious new program to improve the lives of touring musicians and cut down on the growing costs traveling artists facing criss-crossing the country.

Today, the concert giant has announced the launch of “On the Road Again,” a new program inspired by legendary singer/songwriter Willie Nelson to support developing artists and their road crews. The program — which has no expiration date and is expected to save artists tens of millions per year — tackles the growing costs of travel expenses and the ability of artists to make money through merch sales.

“Touring is important to artists so whatever we can do to help other artists, I think we should do it. This program will impact thousands of artists this year and help make touring a little bit easier,” said Nelson, who provided his famous hit song On the Road Again as the anthem for the program. 

Starting today, all acts playing Live Nation owned and operated clubs, from headliners to support acts will receive a $1,500 gas and travel cash stipend per show to all headliners and support acts, on top of nightly performance compensation. 

As part of the program, the company’s clubs will no longer charge merchandise selling fees, allowing artists to keep 100% of merch profits. Many artists rely on merch sales to generate cash for the band while they’re on the road. In January, Ineffable Music Group became the first company to wave merch fees for the companies 10+ venues and showrooms. The decision by Live Nation to waive these fees will likely lead to more cash in the hands of touring artists.

“Touring is a crucial part of an artist’s livelihood, and we understand travel costs take one of the biggest bites out of artists’ nightly profits,” a press release from Live Nation reads. “By helping with these core expenses, we aim to make it easier for artists on the road so they can keep performing to their fans in more cities across the country.”

The On the Road Again also includes financial bonuses to local promoters that help execute at shows as well as tour reps and venue crew members that have worked over 500 hours in 2023. On the Road Again also includes $5 million to Crew Nation, a fund created during the pandemic to support crew across the industry facing unforeseen hardship.

“Delivering for live artists is always our core mission,” said Michael Rapino, President and CEO of Live Nation in a statement to Billboard. “The live music industry is continuing to grow and as it does, we want to do everything we can to support artists at all levels on their touring journey especially the developing artists in clubs. Like Willie says, this is all about making it a little easier for thousands of artists to continue doing what they love: going out and playing for their fans.”

Conpany officials added that On the Road Again is “a true collaboration that draws on insights from Nelson’s years on the road as well as feedback from touring artists, their teams and venue operators to help support day to day life on tour. All benefits from On the Road Again are being provided directly from the venue’s existing earnings, with no increases to consumers.”

For more information on the program and a list of participating venues, visit roadagain.live