Business Side of Music

What separates a good live performance from a show that builds lifelong fans?
In this episode of Business Side of Music, host Sarah Fleshner sits down with live music producer Amy Wolter of Tom Jackson Productions to break down the psychology behind unforgettable concerts. From stage presence and authority to setlist strategy and audience connection, this conversation unpacks how artists can design intentional “moments” that increase ticket sales, boost merch revenue, and turn casual listeners into loyal fans.
You’ll learn:
• Why the first 30 seconds on stage matter more than you think
• How to structure a setlist that takes audiences on a journey
• The small changes (like eye contact) that dramatically improve engagement
• Why live performance drives 90–95% of artist income
• How confidence, preparation, and stage authority impact your brand
If you're an independent artist, band, or music industry professional looking to grow through touring and live shows, this episode gives you practical, actionable strategies you can implement immediately.
Because in today’s music industry, streams introduce you — but your live show builds the business.

Resources:
https://onstagesuccess.com/
https://onstagesuccess.com/merch-table/

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Visit www.businesssideofmusicpodcast.com
© 362 Entertainment 2026. All rights reserved.

In this solo episode of Business Side of Music, host Sarah Fleshner breaks down the step-by-step touring framework every independent artist needs to tour professionally, even without a big team.

You’ll learn how to:
• Build a professional EPK that booking agents actually open
• Write a booking email that gets responses
• Use data (Spotify for Artists, Bandsintown, Songkick) to choose the right markets
• Route and organize shows using tools like TourSmart and BookingAgent.io
• Lock in pay, merch splits, and promo expectations
• Advance shows, create day sheets, and run smooth show days
• Work the merch table, follow up properly, and get rebooked
• Review tour data and refine your strategy for long-term growth

This episode is designed for independent artists, DIY musicians, and small teams who want to tour smarter, look professional, and build sustainable momentum in today’s music industry.

Resources:

Website builds: https://www.362entertainment.com/

Promotion and tour booking:
https://www.artist.bandsintown.com/
https://www.toursmart.io/
https://booking-agent.io/

To stay in the loop, follow Business Side of Music on social media and subscribe to our newsletter for updates, resources, and new episodes.

Follow us:
Facebook: @tbsompodcast
Instagram: @bsompodcast
TikTok: @bsompodcastThe Touring Playbook for Independent Artists
Visit www.businesssideofmusicpodcast.com
© 362 Entertainment 2025. All rights reserved.

In this episode of Business Side of Music, host Sarah Fleshner breaks down 5 moves artists should make to start the year strong from a business-first perspective.

This episode kicks off a new monthly series focused on clarity, strategy, and momentum for independent artists and music professionals. Sarah shares practical insights on defining your business identity, owning your data, understanding where your income really comes from, and learning how to think like a CEO.

You’ll also walk away with 5 actionable steps you can take right now to clean up your digital presence, strengthen one revenue stream, and set focused goals for the year ahead.

To stay in the loop, follow Business Side of Music on social media and subscribe to our newsletter for updates, resources, and new episodes.

Follow us:
Facebook: @tbsompodcast
Instagram: @bsompodcast
TikTok: @bsompodcast
Visit www.businesssideofmusicpodcast.com
© 362 Entertainment 2025. All rights reserved.

In this episode of The Business Side of Music, host Sarah Fleshner interviews Rio Kareff, Co-President of Musixmatch and one of the most influential innovators in digital music. With more than 30 years of experience at the intersection of music and technology, Rio has helped shape nearly every major shift in the industry — from launching the first artist websites for Michael Jackson and The Beatles, to selling the first major-label digital download, to pioneering the iTunes 99-cent model, to co-founding Vevo.
Today, Rio leads Musixmatch, the world's largest lyrics and music data platform powering Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube, and Meta. In this conversation, he breaks down how Musixmatch built one of the largest ethically licensed music datasets in the world and how their newest AI-powered product, Music Lens, is transforming the way artists, managers, publishers, and labels analyze and monetize music.
In this episode, you'll learn:
How AI is reshaping the music industry

What Musixmatch does and why lyrics data is so valuable

How Music Lens provides insights for sync licensing, catalog management, and royalty forecasting

Why ethical licensing and creator transparency matter more than ever

Real examples of how AI can help creators uncover new opportunities

The future of digital music, rights administration, and data-driven decision-making

💡 Special Offer for Listeners: Get 15% off Musixmatch Pro — the platform trusted by millions of creators to manage lyrics, metadata, and discovery. Use code BSOM15 at checkout.
If you're an independent artist, artist manager, publisher, label executive, or anyone interested in AI in music, music data, sync licensing, or the business of digital music, this episode is packed with insights you won't want to miss.
Facebook: @tbsompodcast
Instagram: @bsompodcast
Tiktok: @bsompodcast
www.businesssideofmusicpodcast.com
© 362 Entertainment 2025. All rights reserved.

In this episode of The Business Side of Music, host Sarah Fleshner sits down with legendary artist manager and music tech investor Scott Welch — the man behind careers for Paula Abdul, Alanis Morissette, Collective Soul, and more. Together, they pull back the curtain on what it really takes to build artists and careers in today's algorithm-driven music industry.
Scott shares brutally honest insights on artist development, music management, and the harsh realities of streaming economics — from why artists are spending more time chasing content than mastering their craft, to how social media should be used as bait to draw fans into a world the artist owns and controls.
They also dive into how to convert followers into loyal fans, the importance of live performance, and how new music tech startups like Single and Giggs are reshaping the direct-to-fan business model. For managers, indie artists, and anyone serious about the music business, this episode is a masterclass in longevity, authenticity, and surviving the algorithm.
 
Facebook: @tbsompodcast
Instagram: @bsompodcast
Tiktok: @bsompodcast
www.businesssideofmusicpodcast.com
 
© 362 Entertainment 2025. All rights reserved.