The Price of Music: Rising Artist Fees Silence Concerts in Small Italian Towns

Concerts Go Silent in Small Italian Towns: Rising Artist Fees Silence the Music Smaller Italian towns are facing a growing silence as the rising costs of booking musical acts make concerts increasingly unaffordable. This trend is impacting local promoters, who struggle to balance artistic aspirations with economic realities. A recent report by Striscia la Notizia highlights the sharp increase in artist fees, making it difficult to organize profitable events. "The costs have become unsustainable," says Oreste Scorcia, a local promoter interviewed in the report. "For example, Tony Eff's concert now costs €100,000, while Umberto Tozzi's fee is €70,000. These figures are far beyond what we could have imagined just a few years ago." Scorcia explains that the total cost of a concert extends far beyond the artist's fee, encompassing equipment rental, lighting, sound systems, security personnel, and payments to the SIAE (Società Italiana degli Autori ed Editori). These additional costs often total an extra €20,000 to €25,000, further straining promoters' budgets. The report underscores the challenges faced by smaller towns in maintaining a vibrant cultural scene. The high costs of concerts are forcing many communities to forgo live music events, leading to a loss of cultural enrichment and economic activity. The situation highlights the need for innovative solutions to ensure the sustainability of live music in these areas.