ADMIT ONE
BCKSTG PLAYBACK
EDITORIAL · ISSUE 01 · 2026
Music News
D.C. PASSES THE STRONGEST CONSUMER PROTECTIONS LAWS FOR CONCERT FANS IN THE NATION
Latest
What's new this week across reviews, behind-the-scenes, and industry deep dives.
Industry
Strategy, platform mechanics, label business. Deep dives for artists thinking long-term.
- Monetization
Merch Is the Margin: Why Touring Profit Lives at the Merch Table, Not the Guarantee
On an independent club tour the guarantee covers your fixed costs at best, and the realistic merch share is 30 to 50 percent, not the 60 to 80 percent figure that circulates in touring guides.
MonetizationSpotify Discovery Mode in 2026: Run the 30% Royalty Math Before You Opt In
Discovery Mode trades a 30% royalty cut for algorithmic reach on Spotify, and the math only favors independent artists when the extra streams clear a break-even most never calculate before opting in.
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