The National Independent Venue Association’s inaugural Live Pulse survey has found more than 212 independent venues, promoters and festivals across the United States reporting a distinct structural tightening, with advance ticket demand softening at the same time as operating costs keep climbing, backing up similarities across the globe, including Australia.

Rising insurance, staffing and compliance costs paired with more cautious ticket buyers is exactly the pressure Australian venues have been describing for the past couple of years, and it is a useful data point for our own advocacy work here.

Seeing an organisation like NIVA put hard numbers behind the trend also strengthens the broader international case that this is not a uniquely Australian problem. It is a structural issue facing independent live music venues globally, which matters when we are making the case to government for long term, structural support rather than one off assistance.