Prism Podcast: NIVA’s Stephen Parker On The Future Of Independent Venues
Be sure to check out this episode of Prism’s The Live Music Industry Podcast featuring Stephen Parker, Executive Director of the National Independent Venue Association (NIVA). It is a must-watch for anyone interested in what is happening inside the live touring industry and the challenges independent venues are facing today.
In this episode, host Matt Ford, founder of Prism, sits down with Stephen for an unfiltered look at the challenges, opportunities, and fight for fairness shaping the industry right now. From the results of the State of Live survey to candid conversations on venue survival, ticketing practices, and industry power imbalances, this wide-ranging discussion highlights what independents are up against and where hope lies.
Inside the episode:
State of Live survey: Optimism, challenges, and the true economic weight of independent venues
Venue profitability: Scale, competition, and what it takes to survive
Ticketing controversy: Scalping, all-in pricing, and the imbalance of marketing power
Industry giants under fire: The DOJ vs. Live Nation and what’s at stake
The future: Determination, hope, and a path to a more sustainable independent scene
Shoot out to Indianapolis and Live Policy Summit around the 1:06 mark
Watch the full conversation:
Listen to the podcast on Spotify:
This conversation is essential for anyone who cares about the future of independent music spaces. Here in Indiana, independent venues are cornerstones of our creative economy, and these national conversations connect directly to the work we are doing through Indiana Independent Venue Alliance.
In October, Stephen Parker will be in Indianapolis for the NIVA Live Policy Summit. He will join strategists, legislators, venues, and advocates from across the country to talk about the future of venues, communities, and the creative economy.