What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned from touring?
@danmanganmusic.com's Advice for Independent Touring Artists
Ep. 02 of The Side Door Sitdown Podcast is here!
🎧 Listen now: news.sidedooraccess.com/news/the-sid...
If you missed those the first time (or want to revisit them without digging through livestream archives), they’ll now live here in one place.
The first episode is out now ft. Eric Kane: ow.ly/VVjH50WAme2
This show also brings together some of our most-loved past content — from viral panels to artist interviews — all re-edited for better audio and an easier listening experience in podcast form.
Whether you're routing your first tour, trying to sell more tickets, or running a small venue, this podcast shares practical tips, and real advice from people doing it themselves.
That’s where The Side Door Sitdown comes in — our new podcast
ft. honest convos with the folks who make up the independent live music scene.
We talk to DIY artists, venue owners, and BTS pros about how they book shows, build their audience, and try to make a living — without losing their minds.
In a world where everything is free, the work of the artist has been devalued to the point where indie musicians are in crisis.
Live performance is one of the few places left where artists can truly gain more control, connection, and financial security.
But booking and playing shows takes work.
We just need a little boost to get there.
So we're asking you to help, and here's how:https://news.sidedooraccess.com/news/we-need-your-help-2025
Over the past two years, we’ve drastically reduced our budget to make every dollar count. Once we cover our basic costs, we can start reinvesting into Side Door — making the platform better and creating more show opportunities for artists.
We’re trying to make the critical leap to sustaining ourselves through revenue alone.
In the last quarter, we had the most shows booked yet, all over Canada and the US. We even hit our revenue goal! This means that we’re closer to profitability, which will allow us to grow and adapt sustainably.
We want middle-class musicians to make a living doing what they love, even if they’re not famous.
As a startup, we’ve been very fortunate to build and operate as a result of private fundraising efforts, but we’re nearing the end of that runway.
We want to change the way the live music scene works.
We want the artists to be in the driver’s seat.
We want art to be valued and artists to be paid.
We want people to be connected in their neighbourhoods by art that means something to them.
Maybe you already heard about @sidedooraccess.bsky.social , so if you're in the US or Canada and thinking 'bout hosting musicians or looking for ticketing, got get in contact. it's one of the best ideas and platforms:
news.sidedooraccess.com/news/we-need...
Thanks so much for sharing!
Until the industry adopts a joined-up view of the fan—and understands their actual spending power—we’re exhausting superfans before they can truly become one.
Both the live and recorded music industries are trying to max out the same customers: the superfan.
Higher DSP prices, vinyl and merch, rising ticket costs.
Each sector sees the fan as a separate audience. But it’s the same wallet. And it’s being drained three times over.
Free Marketing Guide for Hosts!
Learn how to promote your events, attract audiences, and sell out your shows with these tips and templates: news.sidedooraccess.com/the-complete...
A story about neighbours hosting concerts in their living rooms with @sidedooraccess.bsky.social next to an excellent column from @adamvaughanto.bsky.social on London, ON success in turning underused strip malls into vibrant rent-controlled housing. Man I love the @adamvaughanto.bsky.social
🙌
We believe smaller, intimate shows are one of the best ways. These spaces foster genuine connections and let artists create memorable, individual moments with their fans.
Last year, Luminate tracked 184 million songs—25% of them (46M) had zero plays. With 105,000 tracks uploaded daily to Spotify, releasing music has never been easier, but standing out has never been harder.
Direct-to-fan relationships are more critical than ever. How are you building yours?
Tip for Artists:
Stop stressing over what to post and start living in the comments! Engage thoughtfully in the threads and posts of the community you’re targeting. A genuine comment can be just as powerful as a post—it builds connections, shows you’re invested, and keeps you visible.
2024 Holiday Gift Guide:
Artist Merch
Artist Merch
Artist Merch
Artist Merch
Artist Merch
Artist Merch
Artist Merch
Artist Merch
By dropping singles or smaller projects regularly, they keep the momentum going without overwhelming themselves or their audience, staying relevant without the need for frequent full albums.
The landscape has definitely shifted—releases used to feel like major events. Now, with the pressure to stay visible in an algorithm-driven world, many artists use a waterfall release strategy.
Hello, @bsky.app! We're here to disrupt your feed with a reminder to go to a concert this weekend.
Sweet!
Pls repost until I’m famous
