The Live Music Industry Podcast

The Live Music Industry Podcast takes you inside the business of live entertainment through candid conversations with the people shaping it. Hosted by Matt Ford, Founder & CEO of Prism.fm, the show features promoters, venue operators, talent buyers, agents, artist managers, and industry leaders sharing real-world insights on booking, ticketing, operations, technology, and the evolving live music business.Learn more: prism.fm/podcastFollow @prismfm on Instagram & LinkedIn

The Live Music Industry Podcast is a music podcast hosted by Matt Ford, with 49 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80.

Matt Ford hosts The Live Music Industry Podcast, a music show with 49 episodes published.

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  The Live Music Industry Podcast

  #47 - Shape-Shifting Stages: Inside the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts

  Sep 9, 20261h 1m

  What does it take to run a venue that can literally change shape? In this episode, Matt Ford sits down with Jeff Thielke, Executive Director of the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts, a one-of-a-kind Southern California venue with multiple configurations, a million pounds of moving infrastructure, and a history that includes everyone from Frank Sinatra to John Legend. Episode Time Stamps: (04:02) Inside Cerritos’ Shape-Shifting, Multi-Configuration Venue History of the building, how long it takes to reconfigure, what it costs in labor, and how that impacts booking patterns and Broadway tours. (09:47) Is the Design a Blessing or a Headache? Proms, Flexibility & Economics Jeff weighs the operational costs against the flexibility for proms, special events, and different types of shows across the campus. (15:20) From Sinatra to Today: Legacy, Location & Audience Experience Stories about Frank Sinatra opening the venue, other major artists, the intimate feel, and the perks of free parking and nearby amenities. (23:17) Programming Strategy: Concert-Heavy Mix, Partners & Co-Pros Breakdown of annual show volumes, music vs. Broadway, how co-promotion works, and why Cerritos shifted toward more collaboration with promoters. (32:03) Finding Prism: Fixing Calendars, Financials & a Complex Building How Jeff moved from Google Calendar and spreadsheets to Prism, modeled each configuration as its own “stage,” and tightened up financial tracking. (40:11) What Insights Is & How It Changes Deal Making Matt explains Prism Insights, and Jeff shares how real-time box office and streaming data help with ticket scaling, demand prediction, and negotiating offers. (46:01) City-Owned Venue Math: Taxpayers, Revenue Pillars & Events Like Mango Fest Jeff walks through Cerritos’ three main revenue streams, the economic development mission, and examples of events that drive people (and spending) into the city. (52:35) Industry Health, Data Sharing & Closing Reflections They talk about artist fees, venue closures, using Insights to build sustainable deals and develop artists, and close with thoughts on Prism’s evolution and the venue–software relationship. Please share this with anyone that might be interested in the topics, links below to subscribe and stay in the loop with the podcast and Prism: Subscribe ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ More on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Prism⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow us on Instagram ( ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@prismfm⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ) Follow us on LinkedIn ( ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ) Meet the Podcast Host/CEO of Prism - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Matt Ford⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Opening Music -⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Banana Bread - Layton.rx⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (Prism engineer!)

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  The Live Music Industry Podcast

  #46 - Building Bleecker Bell: A 200-Cap Bet on Manhattan’s Future

  Aug 25, 20261h 6m

  In this week’s episode, Matt Ford sits down with Hap Pardo , Director of Musical Operations at Wha Entertainment to talk about Bleecker Bell , the new 200-cap venue preparing to open in Greenwich Village, and what it takes to build and sustain independent live music spaces in one of the country’s most competitive markets. Episode Timestamps: (01:18) Bleecker Bell, the Village, and NYC’s Creative Cycle Hap introduces Bleecker Bell (new 200-cap club), explains the location near Washington Square Park, and talks through the Village’s music history and how artists get pushed around the city. (08:10) Post-COVID Rethink: From House Bands to a New Club How COVID forced Cafe Wha? and Groove out of old habits, revealed demand for intimate listening rooms, and led the team to commit to a new room in downtown Manhattan instead of scaling back. (15:24) Building It Right: Economics, Community, and Design Why there are no grants, how a 2021 fire and landmark rules shaped the project, working with the community board, and the perks of designing a venue from (almost) scratch—green room, bars, kitchen, sound. (23:37) Programming the Village: House Bands, Groove, and Multi-Night Runs The evolution of Cafe Wha? and Groove’s calendars since COVID, expanding genres, how Village Presents operates the rooms, and why they like the idea of multi-night runs in 200-cap spaces. (32:11) How These Clubs Survive & The Role of Data (Prism + Insights) What keeps Cafe Wha? and Groove healthy: constant review of shows, balancing art and money, and using Prism and Insights data instead of gut alone to size offers and pick the right room. (40:00) Hap’s Story: From Jazz Guitarist to Village Talent Boss Hap’s path from studying jazz guitar in New Orleans to realizing full-time performance wasn’t his lane, moving to NYC, finding his role at Cafe Wha?, and keeping a personal connection to playing music. (50:03) Career High Point: Van Halen at Cafe Wha? & The Dylan Era Link The full Van Halen-at-Cafe-Wha? story, David Lee Roth’s family connection to the club, what that night felt like, and a tangent on Inside Llewyn Davis and recreating old McDougal Street. (55:52) Right Now: Opening Timeline, Sales Trends, AI & Marketing Tools Bleecker Bell’s “very soon” opening window, how ticket and bar sales look today, Hap’s honest stance on AI (and using Claude), and a quick rundown of their marketing stack (Symbol, Hive shout-out). Please share this with anyone that might be interested in the topics, links below to subscribe and stay in the loop with the podcast and Prism: Subscribe ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ More on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Prism⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow us on Instagram ( ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@prismfm⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ) Follow us on LinkedIn ( ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ) Meet the Podcast Host/CEO of Prism - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Matt Ford⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Opening Music -⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Banana Bread - Layton.rx⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (Prism engineer!)

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  The Live Music Industry Podcast

  #45 - Live Nation Monopoly Case Update and the StubHub Scandal

  Aug 13, 20261h 46m

  There’s been a verdict in the Live Nation/Ticketmaster antitrust case. So what happens now? Matt Ford sits down again with artist manager and industry operator Randy Nichols to unpack what the jury’s monopoly verdict actually means, why the case is still far from over, and what a potential breakup of Live Nation and Ticketmaster could really look like. They also dig into another major fight unfolding in ticketing: speculative ticketing and the secondary market. Randy shares his firsthand experience testifying in California in support of legislation targeting speculative ticket sales and breaks down his concerns about StubHub, including speculative listings for major events like FIFA and the conflicts he sees within the secondary ticketing market. Episode Timestamps: (2:20) What Actually Swung the Live Nation Jury How one explosive phrase became the emotional center of the case and shaped the jury’s perception. (11:20) “Blue Dot Fever” and the Reality of Soft Tours Are arena tours actually struggling, or is the panic around unsold seats missing the bigger picture? (17:20) Ticket Prices Are Becoming a Barrier to Fandom Why increasingly expensive nights out could threaten the industry’s ability to build the next generation of lifelong fans. (32:35) What the Live Nation Verdict Actually Means What happens after a monopoly verdict, from potential remedies to years of legal challenges and appeals. (44:45) Would Breaking Up Live Nation Actually Lower Ticket Prices? Why a breakup may make for a compelling political win without necessarily making concerts cheaper. (55:30) Could Ticketmaster Be More Powerful on Its Own? The surprising argument that separating Ticketmaster from Live Nation could actually expand its reach. (1:08:00) The Fight Over Spec Ticketing and Resale Price Caps Randy shares why he testified in California and what proposed ticketing legislation could change. (1:15:20) StubHub, Spec Tickets, and the FIFA Mess A look at speculative ticket listings, platform accountability, and Randy’s own test listing a nonexistent FIFA ticket. (1:27:20) Why Spec Bans Could Matter More Than a Live Nation Breakup Randy makes the case that limiting scalper arbitrage could do more for ticket prices than breaking up Live Nation. (1:33:40) Dynamic Pricing and a Potential Grand Bargain If the industry eliminates industrial scalping, should primary ticketing platforms give up dynamic pricing too? Please share this with anyone that might be interested in the topics, links below to subscribe and stay in the loop with the podcast and Prism: Subscribe ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ More on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Prism⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow us on Instagram ( ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@prismfm⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ) Follow us on LinkedIn ( ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ) Meet the Podcast Host/CEO of Prism - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Matt Ford⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Opening Music -⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Banana Bread - Layton.rx⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (Prism engineer!)

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  The Live Music Industry Podcast

  #44 - Inside One of America's Most Innovative Performing Arts Centers

  Jul 23, 20261h 17m

  Matt sits down with Randy Vogel of Mesa Arts Center to explore what it takes to lead one of the country's most dynamic multidisciplinary performing arts campuses. Randy shares how Mesa Arts Center became a catalyst for downtown revitalization, why performing arts centers must balance community impact with financial sustainability, and how strong relationships with promoters can open the door to better programming opportunities. He also breaks down the realities of building a Broadway series, evaluating risk, and using technology to streamline everything from offers to settlements. In this episode: How Mesa Arts Center became a catalyst for downtown revitalization What it takes to build and grow a successful Broadway program Why performing arts centers must balance mission, community impact, and financial sustainability How strong partnerships with promoters lead to better programming opportunities How venue leaders can use data to reduce booking risk and make smarter decisions Why Prism has transformed offers, settlements, and day-to-day operations at Mesa Arts Center Episode Time Stamps: (1:05) How Mesa Arts Center Was Funded Randy explains how Mesa voters approved a Quality of Life sales tax that funded the approximately $95 million Mesa Arts Center—and why that community investment has been key to its long-term success. (8:23) How the Arts Revitalized Downtown Mesa How a world-class arts center became the catalyst for downtown redevelopment and long-term community growth. (13:02) From Musician to Arts Center Executive Randy reflects on his career journey, from studying music to leading one of the nation's premier performing arts centers. (31:01) Building a Successful Broadway Program A look at how Mesa Arts Center built its Broadway series and what it takes to present national touring productions. (38:31) Balancing Mission, Community & Profitability Randy explains how he approaches programming as both a cultural mission and a sustainable business. (47:07) Why Strong Promoter Partnerships Matter Why collaboration—not competition—with promoters leads to better outcomes for venues, artists, and audiences. (57:21) How Data Helps Mesa Arts Center Make Smarter Booking Decisions Randy shares how Insights helps validate offers, assess risk, and make more confident booking decisions. (1:05:25) Why Prism Changed Mesa Arts Center's Workflow From faster offers to simplified settlements, Randy explains how Prism transformed his team's day-to-day operations. Please share this with anyone that might be interested in the topics, links below to subscribe and stay in the loop with the podcast and Prism: Subscribe ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ More on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Prism⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow us on Instagram ( ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@prismfm⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ) Follow us on LinkedIn ( ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ) Meet the Podcast Host/CEO of Prism - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Matt Ford⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Opening Music -⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Banana Bread - Layton.rx⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (Prism engineer!)

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  The Live Music Industry Podcast

  #43 - The AI Playbook for Booking & Marketing Shows

  Jul 6, 20261h 15m

  After a popular fireside chat at NIVA a few weeks ago, Matt Ford and Pat Hannigan, Co-Founder & CTO of Hive , sat down to continue the conversation around one of the biggest topics shaping live events today: AI. In this episode, Matt and Pat talk about how AI is moving beyond the hype and into the day-to-day workflows that help live event teams save time, make smarter decisions, and sell more tickets. They cover everything from Hive's new AI-powered Marketing Assistants to Prism's MCP server and Insights, plus where AI fits (and doesn't) in the future of live events. In this episode, you'll learn: How Hive's AI Marketing Assistants help teams automate campaigns without losing the human touch Why "default good marketing" is becoming the new standard for venues and promoters How AI is improving booking decisions with better data—not replacing instinct How Prism's MCP server connects AI directly to your event data and workflows Why verified ticketing data is changing the way promoters evaluate shows Where AI still falls short and why humans remain essential to great live events Whether you're booking shows, building marketing campaigns, or simply trying to understand where AI is headed, this conversation is packed with practical insights you can apply today. Episode Time Stamps: (6:45) From AI Firehose to Hive's Marketing Assistants How Hive evolved from simple AI chat tools to marketing assistants built into real workflows. (17:30) What the Assistants Actually Do Real campaign examples, how assistants draft marketing, and why human review still matters. (24:40) Default Good Marketing Why personalized marketing wins, and how AI makes it practical for lean teams. (36:40) How Hive Uses AI Behind the Scenes Why AI is a tool—not a replacement—and how Hive balances speed with reliability. (45:20) Daily AI Workflows & Prism's MCP Using AI for everyday work, Prism's MCP server, and faster contract reviews. (56:00) Prism Insights & Smarter Booking Decisions How verified ticketing data helps promoters make better booking decisions. (1:03:05) The Future of AI in Live Events AI's limits, smarter booking tools, and why the future is human + AI. Please share this with anyone that might be interested in the topics, links below to subscribe and stay in the loop with the podcast and Prism: Subscribe ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ More on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Prism⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow us on Instagram ( ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@prismfm⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ) Follow us on LinkedIn ( ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ) Meet the Podcast Host/CEO of Prism - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Matt Ford⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Opening Music -⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Banana Bread - Layton.rx⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (Prism engineer!)

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