Why Your Favorite Band’s Next Tour Might Not Include A Stop Near You

The biggest cities often aren’t omitted from a major artist’s tour schedule — but if you’re living in a midsized metro area that has typically attracted big names in the past, that might be changing.

The road to “cultural deserts”

There are many reasons artists have shifted toward shorter tours than in previous generation, and one recent study revealed how significant the issue has become across the United Kingdom:

• The typical tour had 22 shows in 1994, but that number has since been cut in half.
• More than 100 music venues were forced to close their doors in 2023 alone.
• Costs are becoming unaffordable for venues, performers, and audiences alike.

The result has been that fans have had to travel much further on average to catch a live show than they did just a generation ago. Instead of making the trip, many people are just not seeing concerts at all. Early indicators suggest ticket sales across the UK are on pace to drop from 20 million to 15 million this year.

Disappearing access to these forms of entertainment has led to the phrase “cultural desert” being coined to describe such communities. Without public and private intervention, advocates say things are unlikely to improve.

But there’s still hope for the UK

A number of strategies are currently being discussed by UK officials that could reverse the current trend — and some of the solutions might also be effective in other countries around the world. One of the most notable suggestions includes adding a £1 tax on tickets for concerts at large arenas, which would then be used to support smaller entertainment venues.

As Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy explained: “We are encouraged to see the music industry exploring a voluntary levy to support talented musicians throughout their careers, from grassroots to the main stage.”

Chris Agee October 14th, 2024

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