The Live Music Industry Podcast

Matt Ford

We greatly appreciate the opportunity to share the wealth of knowledge and wisdom coming from our incredible network of Promoters, Venues, Talent Agencies and Business Owners. Subscribe www.prism.fm/podcast/ More on Prism www.prism.fm Follow us on Instagram (@prismfm) www.instagram.com/prismfm Follow us on Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/company/prism-fm/ Podcast host: Matt Ford, CEO / Founder of Prism.fm https://www.linkedin.com/in/mford3/

  1. #34 - Inside Etix: 100 Million Tickets, Secondary Markets, All-In Pricing & AI

    5D AGO

    #34 - Inside Etix: 100 Million Tickets, Secondary Markets, All-In Pricing & AI

    In this episode of The Live Music Industry Podcast, Matt Ford sits down with Chris Battaglino (Chief Product Officer at Etix) and Michael Reklis (Director of Sales, Music Venues at Etix) for a candid conversation about ticketing at scale. From clubs to arenas to international markets, they unpack what it takes to serve thousands of venues while navigating resale, dynamic pricing, AI, and the broader economic shifts impacting live events. Episode Timestamps: 2:26 - Deep Dive into Etix’s Global Ticketing Empire5:17 - Client Mix & Always-On Seasonality7:06 - Cross-Vertical Product Strategy10:11- Etix Marketing Agency (Rockhouse Partners)19:41 - Why Etix Built a POS System (Octave)29:57 - Seat Relay: Etix’s Integrated Secondary32:30 - Philosophy on Secondary & Distributed Commerce38:17 - Ethics, Fans & the Secondary Market Mess40:30 - All-In Ticket Pricing: What Changes? 48:18 - Regulation, NIVA & Fix the Tix 54:16 - AI deep Dive56:40 - Brainstorming an AI-first ticketing UX59:04 - Security, Bots & Fraud in an AI World1:01:32 - What’s Etix’s Role in an Agent-Driven Future? 1:02:43 - Prism Insights + Etix: Data as a Shared Asset1:03:35 - Closing Thoughts, Partnership & Hopes for 2026 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!)

    1h 5m
  2. #33 - Family Business to Stadium Promoter: Building a Latin Music Powerhouse

    JAN 28

    #33 - Family Business to Stadium Promoter: Building a Latin Music Powerhouse

    In this episode of The Live Music Industry Podcast, Matt Ford sits down with David Zamora, Founder & CEO of Zamora Live, one of the most active independent Latin promoters in the U.S. David shares how his family’s Chicago operation grew from booking bands in a restaurant basement into a company promoting arena and stadium tours nationwide. They unpack what makes the Latin live music market structurally and culturally different, why independence has lasted longer in Latin touring, and how economics shift from clubs to stadiums. The conversation also explores the real-world impact of immigration policy on live events, including a moment when ICE activity and National Guard presence in Chicago affected ticket sales ahead of a major community show. A candid look at scale, resilience, and what it takes to build an independent live music business today. Episode Time Stamps: (00:00:51) – From restaurant basement to concert company(00:05:12) – First stadium show at MetLife: “Just another show… with a zero”(00:07:10) – Stadium deals, settlements & wider marketing radius(00:09:57) – Family business to bigger organization: how Zamora Live is structured today(00:16:49) – How the U.S. Latin live market grew under the radar(00:28:06) – Why there’s still room for independents in Latin touring(00:33:22) – Consolidation, deals & how Zamora thinks about selling(00:36:01) – Chicago show under National Guard & ICE spotlight(00:47:48) – From Covid to immigration crackdowns: surviving the waves(00:52:36) – Why Zamora adopted Prism & let go of DIY systems(00:55:59) – Ticketing stack: from Ticketmaster to Ticketon(01:03:09) – Tech shifts, human fear & past revolutions(01:08:28) – Why live shows still matter in an AI future(01:13:43) – Best-case AI: fewer admin tasks, more creativity(01:16:13) – David's aspirations: world tours & beyond music(01:19:00) – Gratitude, perspective & the long view 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!)

    1h 25m
  3. #32 - The True Cost of the Big Check: Ticketing Advances, Fees, and Fan Frustration

    JAN 12

    #32 - The True Cost of the Big Check: Ticketing Advances, Fees, and Fan Frustration

    On the latest episode of The Live Music Industry Podcast, Matt Ford sits down with Boris Patronoff, founder and CEO of Soundcheck Capital and former CEO of See Tickets US. In this conversation, Boris breaks down how independent promoters, venues, and festivals actually get financed today and why so many of those dollars come with hidden tradeoffs. You’ll hear: Why traditional banks rarely fund independent live operators How ticketing companies became de-facto lenders and what that means for fees and flexibility The real economics behind ticketing advances and service charges Key differences between U.S. and European ticketing markets How all-in pricing and secondary markets are shaping fan trust Why separating “the tech” from “the check” can create more optionality and long-term sustainability Episode Time Stamps: (00:00:27) – Boris’s path into ticketing(00:03:39) – The financing problem & Europe vs. U.S. ticketing(00:12:30)– Founding See Tickets U.S.(00:15:30) – Growing See Tickets: festivals to venues(00:21:21) – Soundcheck Capital: separating tech from capital(00:31:26) – Underwriting risk & why banks can’t do this(00:40:08) – Optionality over monopoly(00:47:05) – All-in pricing & a potential reset(00:52:24) – Long-term belief in live events 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!)

    1h 18m
  4. #31 - How Back 40 Live Went From Farm Market to 12,000-Person Venue

    09/24/2025

    #31 - How Back 40 Live Went From Farm Market to 12,000-Person Venue

    In this episode of the Live Music Industry Podcast, Matt Ford chats with Anthony “Tony” Markun, the talent buyer behind Back 40 Live at Morris Farm Market. Tony shares how a surprise set from then-unknown Oliver Anthony drew 12,000 fans overnight and catapulted a small farm stage into a fast-growing live music destination. Inside the episode: How a backyard bonfire performance turned into a viral breakout momentThe scramble to produce a 12,000-person show in just two daysBuilding a venue from scratch with friends, family, and phone polesThe challenges (and scrappiness) of booking as an emerging venueWhy Tony believes live music is the antidote to the digital world Episode Timestamps: (00:00:15) Guest Introduction, Venue Origins and Development (00:02:06) Rise of Oliver Anthony, Putting on His First Live Show, the Psychology of an Internet Sensation (00:07:41) Handling Sudden Success, The Farm’s Logistics and Challenges (00:13:04) Describing the Farm’s Attraction / Building a Unique Venue (00:17:46) Personal Journey and Evolution (00:29:32) Implementing Tech at the Venue (00:34:39) Inclusive Initiatives and Community Impact 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!)

    57 min
  5. #30 - Against All Odds: The Fight for Independent Venues

    08/22/2025

    #30 - Against All Odds: The Fight for Independent Venues

    In this episode of The Live Music Industry Podcast, Matt Ford sits down with Stephen Parker, Executive Director of the National Independent Venue Association (NIVA), for an unfiltered look at the challenges, opportunities, and fight for fairness shaping the industry today. From the results of the State of Live survey to candid conversations on venue survival, ticketing practices, and industry power imbalances, this episode offers a wide-ranging perspective on what independents are up against and where hope lies.   🎙️ Inside the episode: State of Live survey: Optimism, challenges, and the true economic weight of independent venuesVenue profitability: Scale, competition, and what it takes to surviveTicketing controversy: Scalping, all-in pricing, and the imbalance of marketing powerIndustry giants under fire: The DOJ vs. Live Nation and what’s at stakeThe future: Determination, hope, and a path to a more sustainable independent sceneIf you want an honest take on the fight for fairness in live music, this is the one to listen to. Episode Timestamps: State of Live Deep Dive (00:00:19): Discussion about the State of Live survey results, optimism, and challenges in the industry. Analysis of economic contributions of the live events industry, highlighting its impact on GDP. Discussion on Venues and Profitability (00:09:43): Factors affecting profitability in the industry including venue scale, tax status, and competition. Monopolistic Practices in the Industry (00:18:48): Exploration of marketing challenges and the impact of monopolistic practices by larger corporations. Scalping and All-In-Ticketing (00:23:10): Discussion about the debate on scalping, and the role scalpers play in the ticketing world. Monopoly Discussion +The DOJ Lawsuit Against Live Nation (00:29:00): Update and insights into the DOJ lawsuit against Live Nation and its significance. Conclusion and Closing Thoughts + An Optimistic Vision for the Future: (00:46:03) Summary and reflections on the podcast discussion, closing remarks. 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!)

    1h 19m
  6. #29 - Event Tech Evolution: Billfold's Futuristic Approach to POS Sales

    08/07/2025

    #29 - Event Tech Evolution: Billfold's Futuristic Approach to POS Sales

    What does the future of payments at live events look like? In this episode of The Live Music Industry Podcast, Matt Ford sits down with Stas Chijik, co-founder of Billfold, to talk about reshaping the point-of-sale experience for venues with tens of thousands of attendees. From RFID wristbands and AI-powered operations to biometric “Look to Pay” systems, this episode offers a fascinating glimpse into how technology is streamlining transactions and changing the way fans experience live events. Inside the Episode: Introduction to Billfold: A look at how Billfold serves large-scale events with a focus on transaction speed and vendor integration.Client Reach: Billfold’s success with approximately 150 clients handling massive venues with up to 100,000 attendees.Technology & Products: How Billfold embraces RFID technology and the transition to biometric payments to enhance customer experiences.Industry Insights: Discussion on current consumer trends such as the rise in non-alcoholic beverage popularity and its effect on spending behaviors.Challenges of Inflation: How rising costs impact pricing strategies for concessionaires.Biometric Payment System: An inside look into the potential of "Look to Pay" technology in the event industry.The Impact of AI: How AI is being used in product development and its role in enhancing operational efficiency.Privacy and Biometrics: A critical look at privacy concerns surrounding biometric data use and the philosophy of trust within technology.If you’re looking to stay ahead of the tech curve, you won’t want to miss this one. Episode Timestamps: (00:00:14) Overview of Billfold & The Founding Story - Stas discusses what Billfold is, their client base, and the benefits it brings to large events.(00:03:56) Evolution of Billfold & RFID POS Technology - Details about the evolution of Billfold's technology and the integration of RFID.(00:05:02) Market Focus, Customer Base & Competitors - A look into Billfold's target market and client demographics.(00:19:15) Downwards Alcoholic Purchase Trends & Inflation -  Examination of current trends in non-alcoholic beverages and the impact of inflation.(00:39:29) The Future: Innovations, Biometric Checkout, & Future Developments - Stas shares Billfold's plans for future innovations, including biometric payment solutions.(00:52:13) Conclusion and Final Thoughts - Wrap-up of the conversation and closing remarks from Matt Ford and Stas Chijik. 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!)

    1h 7m
  7. 07/22/2025

    #28 - How Insights and Transparency Can Save Independent Promoters with Jen Lyon

    Veteran promoter Jen Lyon, Founder of MeanRed Productions, shares a candid, inspiring conversation around how independents can stand their ground in a Live Nation world—plus why she’s urging promoters to join Insights now. Inside the episode: Jen’s personal journey from NYC bottle service clubs to building a values-driven venue in Detroit Why Insights is a game-changer, and her urgent plea to fellow independents to join the movement The power of transparency in booking, artist development, and leveling the playing field How a data-sharing culture can create equity—and why withholding data hurts the whole industryThe real risks independent promoters take—and how tools like Prism help make it sustainable Why she’s launching a nonprofit venue with community curators (and a unique for-profit/F&B model) What the future of live music could look like, if we choose to build it together Whether you’re new to the game or a seasoned vet, Jen drops truth bombs, challenges the status quo, and brings hope for a more collaborative, independent future. Episode Timestamps: (00:01:01): Evolution of Live Music Booking Technology (00:01:49): Early Career Challenges (00:02:58): Transition to Prism(00:04:04): Transparency in the Industry - Insights deep dive (00:06:14): Industry Diversity and Inclusion(00:08:05): Tech and the Next Generation (00:09:18): Prism's Potential (00:10:02): Sustaining an Independent Approach (00:11:03): Different Perspectives on Industry Challenges (00:13:30): Dynamics Between Large Promoters Versus Independent Venues(00:15:40): Insights and Data Sharing (00:17:32): Independent Promoters' Struggles(00:19:03): Looking to the Future (00:21:01): Jen's Journey into Live Music(00:25:28): Building Community(00:28:21): Finding Sustainability and Purpose 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!)

    58 min

Ratings & Reviews

3
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

We greatly appreciate the opportunity to share the wealth of knowledge and wisdom coming from our incredible network of Promoters, Venues, Talent Agencies and Business Owners. Subscribe www.prism.fm/podcast/ More on Prism www.prism.fm Follow us on Instagram (@prismfm) www.instagram.com/prismfm Follow us on Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/company/prism-fm/ Podcast host: Matt Ford, CEO / Founder of Prism.fm https://www.linkedin.com/in/mford3/