One of the sectors of the music business that saw significant growth during the pandemic was live streaming – and it’s not going away any time soon.
Live Nation Entertainment and livestream platform Veeps have started equipping over 60 concert venues across the United States with live streaming technology.
Los Angeles-based Veeps was established in 2017 by Joel and Benji Madden of the band Good Charlotte, who sold a stake in their company to Live Nation in January.
Veeps claims that its live streams helped artists “make over $10 million” in 2020 alone, and has worked with artists like Liam Payne, Louis Tomlinson, Brandi Carlile and Patti Smith.
Now, the new Veeps setup at the Live Nation venues will give any artist playing there the ability to livestream their event “with the flip of a switch” according to the two companies.
The companies say that they have selected venues that are already regular tour stops, from clubs and theaters to amphitheaters.
Some of the venues that will be first to go live include The Fillmore in San Francisco and Philadelphia, House of Blues in Chicago and New Orleans, The Wiltern in Los Angeles, and a number of amphitheaters including Shoreline Amphitheater in California and The Gorge in Washington.
The Wiltern is already set up, and will be debuting a series of 10 streamed shows on Veeps, dubbed “From the Wiltern,” starting May 7, 2021.
“ARTISTS AND FANS ARE EAGER TO GET BACK TO SHOWS, AND LIVESTREAMS WILL CONTINUE TO UNLOCK OPPORTUNITIES FOR THEM TO CONNECT MORE THAN EVER BEFORE.”
MICHAEL RAPINO, LIVE NATION ENTERTAINMENT
Michael Rapino, President and CEO, Live Nation Entertainment, said: “Artists and fans are eager to get back to shows, and livestreams will continue to unlock opportunities for them to connect more than ever before.
“Veeps is the best at what they do, with Benji and Joel tapping into their own experience as artists to help other artists thrive, and we look forward to bringing this innovative idea to life in these iconic venues.”
“TO HELP AN ENTIRELY NEW TOURING VERTICAL BECOME READILY AVAILABLE TO ARTISTS IS SUCH A HUGE WIN FOR OUR COMMUNITY AND WE COULDN’T BE HAPPIER. IT’S THE EXACT TYPE OF THING THAT SHOWS WHAT OUR PARTNERSHIP WITH LIVE NATION CAN REALLY MEAN FOR ARTISTS.”
JOEL MADDEN, VEEPS
Joel Madden, co-founder, Veeps, said: ”Amongst artists, it’s often said that the one side of our careers that truly belongs to us is touring.
“To help an entirely new touring vertical become readily available to artists is such a huge win for our community and we couldn’t be happier.
“It’s the exact type of thing that shows what our partnership with Live Nation can really mean for artists.
“Now, with the flip of a switch, every artist playing in these venues can make their show a global event.
Added Madden: “We’ve already seen how livestream shows drive engagement across every other area of an artist’s business and the added ticket revenue will allow them to re-invest in their art and make what they’re offering their fans even better. It’s a real dream come true for us at Veeps and our mission to help empower artists in their careers.”
Originally posted at: Music Business Worldwide