Lil B Signs Tour Deal with Live Nation, Holds Major-Label Hopes
It’s a small deal for only four shows and two festival appearances, but especially intriguing from the Live Nation perspective. See, the SF Weekly spins it like this:
And the fact that Live Nation made a deal with Lil B — an independent artist who isn’t signed to any label — is surprising on its own.
Except that it isn’t really that surprising given this — “this,” being the fact that despite promoting 3% more concerts in 2010 than in 2009, Live Nation managed to sell 16% fewer tickets. So, given the opportunity to enter a low-risk, high-reward arrangement with an artist who’s core fanbase is in the much sought-after 12-24 demographic, could easily lead to a sponsorship bonanaza for the concert giant.
Still, it’s worth noting that the same market share which is seemingly driving the Based God/Live Nation deal is actually attending 50% fewer shows than at the turn of this century, so it might be premature to start counting the service fee dollars at this point.
Also worth mentioning: B and his manager have had discussions with unnamed “major labels,” and are, “…very much excited about bossing up.”
Just stay away from Interscope and Atlantic, please.
-SM
