Between Two Palms

Muscatello Media Network
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🎸 Live from The Boardwalk Stage with Derek Clark and Mikey Muscatello is your all-access pass to Sacramento’s legendary music venue. Recorded right on stage, we swap stories with bands, dig into The Boardwalk’s wild history, and pull back the curtain on what it takes to keep an independent venue alive in today’s music industry. 📅 New episodes twice a month.

  1. MAR 25

    Inside the Ticketmaster Monopoly | Ep 16

    Inside the Ticketmaster Monopoly On this episode of Between 2 Palms, Derek and Mikey pull the curtain back on Ticketmaster, Live Nation, and how their “partnership” turned into an illegal monopoly that’s choking out independent venues across the country. From ghost companies scalping their own tickets to 200-mile radius clauses that block bands from playing rooms like the Boardwalk, Derek explains what this looks like from the venue side in real life. They break down the proposed Department of Justice settlement, why a $280 million fine and 13 amphitheaters is basically a rounding error for Live Nation, and how fees “capped” at 15% just get baked into higher ticket prices anyway. You’ll hear stories about tours getting wiped out when Live Nation buys and shuts down venues, small festivals getting crushed by last-minute chargebacks, and why 70% of sub-500-cap rooms in the U.S. are struggling to survive. Derek also talks about what the Boardwalk is doing to stay alive—free Fridays, bringing in local acts, and slowly changing the “roadhouse” image—while still trying to give upcoming bands a real stage and keep tickets somewhat reasonable. They get into NIVA (the National Independent Venue Association), grassroots advocacy, and what fans can actually do besides just complaining about fees online. If you’ve ever wondered why ticket prices exploded, why it feels like Live Nation owns every show, or how long small rooms can hang on, this one will make you look at that “service fee” line a lot different The Boardwalk: rocktheboardwalk.com Ticketmaster Live Nation ticket fees concert tickets live music industry venue owner perspective independent venues NIVA National Independent Venue Association ticket monopoly Boardwalk Sacramento Between 2 Palms podcast Jelly Roll live music tickets DOJ Ticketmaster lawsuit

    27 min

  2. FEB 11

    All Ages or 21+? The Real Economics of Live Music | Ep 15

    What makes more money... all ages shows or 21+ nights? The answer isn’t what you think. In this episode of Between 2 Palms, Derek and Mikey pull back the curtain on how small venues actually survive. From bar sales vs ticket sales to why some Saturdays go 21+ and others don’t, they break down the real math behind concert programming. They also get into: • A national touring artist throwing a backstage tantrum• A band that blew their headline slot for 20 minutes opening somewhere else• Venue poaching and behind-the-scenes music politics• Why persistence gets you booked (and ego gets you blacklisted)• Police presence affecting genre decisions• And how a rock club ended up partnering with the American Red Cross and saving 70+ lives This isn’t theory. It’s the real-life economics of running an independent venue in 2026. If you’re in a band, trying to get booked, or just wondering why venues make the decisions they do, this one’s for you. See what’s coming next, grab tickets, and check the full calendar at👉 RockTheBoardwalk.com And follow along for show drops, announcements, and and giveaways 👇📲 @rocktheboardwalk

    1h 4m

  3. JAN 28

    Why Supporting Local Music Is Harder Than People Think | EP 14

    Everyone says “support local music.” Very few people understand what that actually means. In this episode of Between 2 Palms, Derek Clark and Mikey pull the curtain back on the realities of running a live music venue and building a sustainable local scene. They talk openly about Free Fridays, booking decisions, why pay-to-play hurts everyone, and what bands need to do if they want more than a 20-minute opening slot. The conversation covers: Why venues take real financial risks on local bands What “support local music” actually looks like in practice Why strong EPKs and self-promotion still matter How bands move from openers to real bills Why mentorship between bands matters more than ego The difference between exposure and exploitation Why consistency beats talent alone This episode is required listening for local musicians, promoters, venue staff, and fans who want to understand how scenes grow—or quietly die. 🎶 Learn more about upcoming shows and how to play The Boardwalk:👉 RockTheBoardwalk.com

    36 min

  4. JAN 14

    The Reality of Booking Live Music in 2026 | Ep 13

    Booking shows isn’t just answering emails and filling dates and in this episode of Between 2 Palms, Derek breaks down exactly why. From the real cost of opening the doors, to why “pay-to-play” is usually a misunderstanding, to what venues actually need from bands in 2026, this episode pulls back the curtain on live music booking. Derek and Mikey talk partnerships, marketing responsibility, oversaturation, and why creating demand matters more than playing everywhere all the time. They also cover: Why venues carry the financial riskWhat bands consistently get wrong when submitting to bookWhy some great bands struggle while others growThe future of the Boardwalk, including Free FridaysCommunity giving, blood drives, and giving people a hand upNew plans for Palm Tree Brewing Company and the rooftop patioIf you’ve ever wondered why it’s “hard to get booked,” or what venues are really looking for, this episode answers it honestly. 🎧 Listen, share, and if you have something to say, say it. Just know Derek will read it. If you want to see how live music actually survives, stop guessing and start showing up. Check the calendar, buy a ticket, and support the rooms that keep bands on stages. 👉 RockTheBoardwalk.com Live music venue Sacramento, Sacramento concert venue, independent music venue California, live music Sacramento CA, book a band Sacramento, how to get booked at a music venue, band booking tips, live music booking process, pay to play music venues explained, support local music venues, Sacramento rock venue, all ages and 21+ shows Sacramento, small venue concerts Sacramento, Boardwalk live music, RockTheBoardwalk, Sacramento nightlife live music, local bands Sacramento, touring bands Sacramento, live music industry insights, music venue operations, behind the scenes live music, Between 2 Palms podcast, venue owner podcast, Sacramento music podcast, California live music scene

    48 min

  5. 12/29/2025

    What We Learned in 2025 & Why 2026 Matters | Ep 12

    End-of-year reflections, real talk, and hard lessons from behind the curtain. In this episode of Between 2 Palms, Derek Clark and Mikey Muscatello close out 2025 with an honest, wide-ranging conversation about what it actually takes to run an independent live music venue without losing your mind, your money, or your values. Derek breaks down lessons learned from a year of wins, losses, sold-out shows, disappointing nights, promoter problems, and the reality of running a venue where culture, community, and sustainability matter more than hype. From cruise-ship epiphanies to booking mistakes, from Pablo Cruise to Mateo Mancuso, from staffing costs to why small venues are disappearing, this episode pulls zero punches. They also look ahead to 2026, including Free Fridays, bigger artists, smarter booking strategies, new production upgrades, and how The Boardwalk plans to survive while still giving back to musicians, charities, and the local community. If you love live music, care about independent venues, or want to understand what really happens behind the scenes, this episode is required listening. Follow Between 2 Palms for real conversations about live music, venues, and the business nobody explains.New episodes recorded live from the Boardwalk Stage.

    1h 13m

  6. 12/04/2025

    The Boardwalk Story You Haven’t Heard | Ep 11

    In this episode of Between 2 Palms, Derek Clark and Mikey Muscatello deliver a full, transparent breakdown of what’s happening at The Boardwalk, one of Sacramento’s longest-running independent music venues. Derek addresses online complaints directly, from ticket pricing and bar costs to band quality and the lingering stigma of the old Boardwalk, and explains the real economics behind running a music venue in 2025. The guys also announce the launch of Free Fridays, a new monthly event bringing free, all-ages live music to the community starting January. They talk about why the venue streams every show, how national acts are booked, and why local bands will have new opportunities to perform. Derek opens up about growing up poor, fighting through bullying, dealing with haters, and why giving back through blood drives, charity partnerships, and community programs is at the core of the Boardwalk mission. The episode also covers the New Year’s Eve show, special ticket deals, returning-customer offers, Derek’s volunteer flights with Angels Flight West, and the upcoming launch of Palm Tree Brewing Company. This episode is packed with insights for musicians, concertgoers, Sacramento locals, and anyone curious about how modern independent music venues survive and evolve. Email info@rocktheboardwalk.com for New Year’s Eve ticket deals or returning-customer offers.

    45 min

  7. 11/19/2025

    Promoters, Pitfalls & Painful Lessons | Ep 10

    This week, Derek and Mikey break down one of the most important parts of venue life: the bad nights. From promoter misfires and accountability issues to bands melting down on stage, they dig into what really causes a show to flop and how all sides can avoid disaster. Derek shares behind-the-scenes stories about tough nights, surprise sellouts, national acts coming through, and the mindset it takes to make every show work. They also talk upcoming events, blood drives, holiday plans, and the future direction of The Boardwalk. Book your show or learn more at RockTheBoardwalk.com Follow The Boardwalk on social for updates, announcements, and new episodes. Boardwalk Orangevale, Orangevale music venue, Between Two Palms, live music venue, bad show turnout, promoter problems, band promotion tips, concert booking, music venue operations, low-attendance shows, band accountability, promoter accountability, live event production, Sacramento music scene, local bands Sacramento, show promotion mistakes, venue management, selling out shows, touring bands, band meltdown stories, soundcheck issues, mosh pit insurance, Mateo Mancuso, Jeff Beck tribute, ticket sales, venue marketing, booking advice, RockTheBoardwalk.com, holiday shows, blood drive events, music community, supporting local bands, live performance tips, concert economics, behind the scenes venue stories.

    34 min

  8. 11/12/2025

    The Boardwalk Advantage for Local Musicians | Ep 09

    Derek and Mikey break down what really sets The Boardwalk apart for local bands — from how to get booked to what artists actually receive when they play here. They walk through everything from building a proper EPK and using social media wisely to the marketing support, professional sound, and full multi-camera recording setup that make The Boardwalk a rare kind of venue. If you’re a local musician looking to step up your game or finally land that Boardwalk show, this episode covers exactly what you need to know. Want to play The Boardwalk? Start here. Subscribe to Between Two Palms on Spotify, Apple, or anywhere you get podcasts to learn how to get booked, grow your band, and make the most of every show on The Boardwalk stage. 🎸 Learn more or book your band now at rocktheboardwalk.com The Boardwalk Orangevalle, Sacramento, Concert Venue, Between Two Palms podcast, local musicians, live music, Sacramento bands, Northern California venues, concert booking tips, EPK guide, music promotion, Boardwalk Stage, live venue podcast, Sacramento music scene, California live events.

    39 min
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🎸 Live from The Boardwalk Stage with Derek Clark and Mikey Muscatello is your all-access pass to Sacramento’s legendary music venue. Recorded right on stage, we swap stories with bands, dig into The Boardwalk’s wild history, and pull back the curtain on what it takes to keep an independent venue alive in today’s music industry. 📅 New episodes twice a month.

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