Performance

Tips and articles on performance for the independent musician

Marketing/ Music Business1/ Performance/ Touring

The Artist Revenue Ladder: How Indie Artists Turn Free Fans Into Real Income Over Time

Richard L'Hommedieu artist business ecosystem, artist CRM, artist email list, artist fan journey, artist owned ecosystem, artist owned fan relationships, artist revenue ladder, concert ticket sales, direct fan support, direct to fan music marketing, fan data ownership, fan engagement, fan loyalty, fan monetization, Fan Passport OS, house concerts, independent artist tools, independent music marketing, independent musician income, indie artist revenue, Indie music business, Making a Scene Artist Ecosystem, music business playbook, music business strategy, music industry future, music industry middle class, music marketing funnel, music marketing with ai, music memberships, music merch, music revenue streams, musician merch strategy, private events for musicians, VIP fan experiences, web3 music business 0 Comments July 2, 2026

The Artist Revenue Ladder outlines a strategy for indie musicians to convert casual listeners into dedicated supporters over time. It emphasizes building relationships through steps like free actions, low-cost purchases, and merchandise, ultimately leading to live shows, VIP experiences, and memberships. This systematic approach fosters trust and loyalty, essential for sustainable income in the music industry.

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DIY Booking/ Music Business1/ Performance/ Touring

Creating a Touring Syndicate for Increased Leverage

Richard L'Hommedieu AI touring strategy, artist co-op touring, artist owned data, artist owned economy, audience intelligence for artists, blockchain fan passport, city routing for musicians, decentralized music industry, direct to fan touring, DIY music touring, fan data ownership, fan passport, first party fan data, independent artist touring, independent music business, indie band tour planning, indie music touring, making a Scene, music industry middle class, music touring analytics, predictive touring, touring cooperative, touring syndicate, venue analysis AI, Web3 music 0 Comments April 3, 2026

The article discusses the concept of a touring syndicate for indie artists, emphasizing the shift from competition to cooperation. By pooling fan data and forming a structured alliance, artists can strategically plan tours, increase revenue, and reduce reliance on traditional music industry systems. This new model fosters collaboration, shared intelligence, and artist ownership.

Marketing/ Music Business1/ Performance/ Touring

Booking the Festival Circuit Isn’t About “Buzz.” It’s About Proof.

Richard L'Hommedieu AI tools for music marketing, Airtable booking CRM for musicians, Bandsintown signup form for artists, booking festivals without a booking agent, building a music industry middle class, email list growth at festivals, fan data capture for musicians, fan passport system for musicians, festival booking for indie artists, festival EPK tips, festival hospitality rider basics, festival pitch email for musicians, festival routing strategy for bands, festival submission strategy, first-party fan data for touring, hotel strategy for touring bands, how to find festivals accepting submissions, how to get booked on music festivals, indie artist tour business plan, indie band festival tour planning, Laylo SMS marketing for musicians, merch strategy at festivals, music festival talent buyers, POAP for musicians, proof of attendance for concerts, SMS list building for artists, tour budgeting for festival season, tour per diem planning, Unlock Protocol membership for artists, US music festivals booking tips, using ChatGPT to book shows, Web3 fan engagement for artists 0 Comments February 13, 2026

The article emphasizes that successful festival bookings require more than just talent; they demand proof of fan engagement and effective use of data. Artists must treat festivals like business opportunities rather than lotteries, showcasing their ability to generate audience turnout through fan data and tailored pitches. This approach ensures sustained careers in the competitive music industry.

Music Business/ Performance

Music and Social Change: Why We Need the Rebel Spirit Back in Music

Richard L'Hommedieu activist musicians, activist songwriting, civil rights music, folk protest songs, hip hop activism, how music changes society, indie artists and social change, indie musician activism, music and movements, music and revolution, music and social change, music as activism, music as resistance, music for social justice, music industry activism, musicians for change, political songs, protest music 2025, protest music history, protest songs today, punk rebellion, rebel music, revolutionary music, songs that changed the world, the power of music in protest 0 Comments September 30, 2025

Music historically serves as a powerful vehicle for social change, expressing resistance and unity through various movements. From spirituals during slavery to modern hip-hop, artists have long used music to challenge authority and inspire action. Today, the industry risks losing this rebellious spirit to commercialism; musicians must reclaim their voice to ignite real change.

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DIY Radio/ Marketing/ Music Business/ Performance

Tuned Global and Sona.stream create an Artist-First Streaming Service

Richard L'Hommedieu 0 Comments December 14, 2023

Making a Scene – Tuned Global and Sona.stream create an Artist-First Streaming Service What is Sona? Music is everything at Sona. Co-founded by producer TOKiMONSTA and Laura Jaramillo, Sona’s vision is a music industry that’s more equitable and rewarding for both fans and artists. This starts with sona.stream, an ad-free music streaming platform with a […]

Marketing/ Music Biz Resources/ Music Business/ Performance/ Radio Charts

2023 Independent Blues Awards Winners Announced!!

Richard L'Hommedieu americana, blues, blues rock, indie Blues, making a Scene, Rock, roots, roots rock 0 Comments September 26, 2023

Making a Scene Presents The 2023 Independent Blues Awards Winners! This is the 8th year we have produced and honored independent blues artists with the Independent Blues Awards. The voting this year has broken all records and was the largest voting participation since we began. As always we believe that not only are the winners […]

Music Business/ Performance

Building a Songwriting Roundtable using Social Media

Richard L'Hommedieu americana, making a Scene, roots, roots rock, songwriting 0 Comments June 27, 2023

Making a Scene Presents Building a Songwriting Roundtable using Social Media Introduction As a songwriter, it can be difficult to find a group of like-minded individuals to collaborate with and bounce ideas off of. Thankfully, social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram have made it easier than ever to connect with other musicians and build […]

INDIE Blues Scene/ Music Business/ On the Scene/ Performance

Muddy Waters Home Granted Landmark Status

Richard L'Hommedieu blues, blues rock, indie Blues, making a Scene, muddy waters, roots, roots rock 0 Comments August 13, 2021

Muddy Waters Home Granted Landmark Status – To Become a Museum Dedicated to the Father of Chicago Blues! The North Kenwood home where blues legend Muddy Waters once lived is planned to be converted into The MOJO Muddy Waters House Museum has been granted a final landmark status by the Commission on Chicago Landmarks. This […]

In The Studio/ Music Business/ Performance

Keeping Your Voice Healthy

Jess L'Hommedieu making a Scene, music business, Singing, vocal training, Vocals 0 Comments January 5, 2021

Making a Scene Presents a Guide to Keeping Your Voice Healthy If you are a singer, you know that keeping your voice healthy is vital to keep your career intact. Hoping to see live music come back by the end of this year, this is especially important for those who are eager to get back […]

Interview the Pros/ Music Business/ Performance

Interview with a Pro Evan Lowenstein – Stageit.com

Richard L'Hommedieu corona virus, live streaming, making a Scene, stageit.com 0 Comments March 17, 2020

Making a Scene Presents an interview with Evan Lowenstein CEO of Stageit.com Many indie artists are waking up to a realization that their spring tour schedule is getting cancelled. The CorVid-19 Virus has venues shutting down and cancelling shows, which is especially damaging to the touring artist who makes their living off live performances. Thought […]

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Music Business/ On the Scene/ Performance

LIVE Music Survey

Richard L'Hommedieu Live music, making a Scene, Survey 0 Comments September 28, 2019

Making a Scene Presents the LIVE Music Survey We have a new reality in the music industry today. The new music consumer no longer looks at music as a commodity to purchase, but more as something they have unlimited access to. This has affected the whole industry but nowhere is it more evident then with […]

Music Business/ Performance

7 Ways to Build Speed on the Guitar

Nicholas Rubright Guitar Speed, making a Scene 0 Comments December 6, 2018

Building speed is an important part of improving your overall guitar technique. Even if you don’t want to shred, being able to play faster can help your accuracy and timing for more complicated parts you might need to play. Many of us who primarily play electric guitar (myself included) think of speed as an important […]

Music Biz Resources/ Music Business/ Performance

Dubset – Clearing Mixtapes for DJ’s and Rap Artists!

Richard L'Hommedieu Dubset, making a Scene, mixtape, Rap 0 Comments December 4, 2018

Mixtapes have long been the lifeblood of hip hop. But most artists fell outside mainstream distribution channels, because of the licensing and copyright issues involved. This left a major income steam for both the original creators as well as the rap artists and DJs untapped. Listen as we talk with Dubset CEO Steven White about […]

Gear Reviews/ Hardware Reviews/ Music Business/ Performance

Better Sounding Bass Solos with the POG!

Tony Hossri Bass Solo, making a Scene, Micro Pog 0 Comments December 1, 2018

The Effect Pedal Bass Players Need For Their Solos Dear fellow bass players, I’m going to speak a bit on the topic that increases our blood pressure. But we must face it, and we must find a way overcome it. It’s the topic of when we take the bass solo, the audience of non musicians don’t […]

Gear Reviews/ Hardware Reviews/ Music Business/ Performance

Buyers Guide to Wireless Microphones

Tony Hossri buyers guide, gear reviews, making a Scene, wireless mics 0 Comments November 25, 2018

Which Wireless Microphone’s Have The Longest Range? We know what you want, you want to jump in the audience as you crowd surf through out the entire Festival as you sing in to your wireless mic. Or maybe, that has absolutely nothing to do with the reason you want a long range wireless microphone. For […]

Music Business/ Performance

Why Stage Presence is Vital – Go Wireless

Tony Hossri making a Scene, music business, Performing, Stage Presence 0 Comments November 16, 2018

Why Stage Presence Is Vital To Gaining New Fans. Go Wireless by Tony Hossri performwireless.com If you play guitar or bass in any form of a high energy band, it is not important to get a wireless guitar system……If you don’t care about your performance, or if you don’t even want to advance your bands career at all. Here’s […]

Music Business/ Performance

A Soundman’s Guide to Communicating With Musicians

Richard L'Hommedieu Communicating with musicians, indie music, Live sound, making a Scene, sound engineer, sound tech, soundman 0 Comments April 8, 2018

A Soundman’s Guide to Communicating With Musicians Neal Miskin As a live sound tech I interact with a lot of musicians, from seasoned professionals to amateurs playing their first gig. One thing remains constant regardless of the experience level of the performers, is that good communication helps make a good show.  This article will be in […]

Acoustic Scene/ Americana Scene/ Bluegrass Scene/ Country Rock Scene/ Country Scene/ Funk Scene/ Hip Hop Scene/ INDIE Blues Scene/ Indie Rock Scene/ Jam Scene/ Making A Local Scene/ Music Business/ Performance/ R&B Scene

Is ASCAP Hurting Live Music Venues?

Richard L'Hommedieu ASCAP, Live music, making a Scene, Performing Rights, PRO August 29, 2017

Where it all Began ASCAP On February 13, 1914 composer Victor Herbert was eating dinner at the Hotel Claridge in NY City when he heard the piano player in the restaurant playing one of his compositions. As he looked around the bustling restaurant, he realized that while the patrons were eating and spending money, they […]

DIY Booking/ DIY PR/ DIY Radio/ INDIE Blues Scene/ Interview the Pros/ Making A Local Scene/ Marketing/ Music Biz Resources/ Performance/ Touring

How to Become a Musician with Jackie Venson

Richard L'Hommedieu americana, blues, blues foundation, blues hall of fame, blues music, blues radio, blues-rock, celebration of Blues and Soul, Funk, IBA, independent blues awards, indie, Indie B, indie Blues, indie blues movement, Indie Rock, making a Scene, r&B, red clay soul, Rock, roots, roots rock January 26, 2017

Austin born indie blues guitarist-vocalist, Jackie Venson, announces her web series,How to Become a Musician. Venson just released her live album, and has been featured in such publications as Guitar Player Magazine, Austin Chronicle, Austin Monthly, Texas Monthly and Bitch Media among others. Jackie recently performed on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. Now, Venson has created her […]

Acoustic Scene/ Americana Scene/ Bluegrass Scene/ Country Rock Scene/ Country Scene/ Funk Scene/ Hip Hop Scene/ INDIE Blues Scene/ Indie Rock Scene/ Jam Scene/ Music Biz News/ Music Business/ Performance/ R&B Scene

HOW ONE INDEPENDENT MUSICIAN DEFEATED BMI

Posted by Editor November 13, 2014

EDITORS NOTE: This is reprinted with permission of the author. I felt it was ironic that an independent musicians needs to be at odds with an organization that is designed to protect his rights. It is an interesting read, and a conversation that needs to happen with the new music business increasingly becoming centered on […]

Music Biz Resources/ Performance

Advice to the younger musicians who want to earn a living at their craft.

Posted by Editor Advice to young musicians, making a Scene, toby walker October 21, 2014

My advice to the younger musicians who want to earn a living at their craft. Recently I read a post about a younger player who wanted to know what they would need in order to be successful in a music career. They questioned attending music college and how to convince their parents they were doing […]

Acoustic Scene/ Americana Scene/ Bluegrass Scene/ Country Rock Scene/ Country Scene/ DIY Booking/ Funk Scene/ Hip Hop Scene/ INDIE Blues Scene/ Indie Rock Scene/ Jam Scene/ Music for Good/ Performance/ R&B Scene/ Touring/ Uncategorized

Respect Your Venue

Nancy Lewis-Pegel making a Scene, music business September 5, 2014

Respect Your Venue Sometimes a club has live music for free – no cover charge. In these instances the club pays a certain amount to the band to entertain, hoping to encourage an even bigger crowd to come in to eat/drink. It can be a win for both parties. It is usually not required to order […]