The National Independent Venue Association (NIVA) has partnered with Hollywood’s The Black List to produce The Live List, to shine the spotlight on performing musicians, performers, and comedians.

Kicking off with a TIDAL-sponsored event at SXSW, the goal of The Live List is to help artists build sustainable careers and offer a definitive source for fans and venue bookers to discover acts. 

Chosen by anonymous votes from more than a thousand NIVA independent venue, festival, and promoter members, the 2023 Live List highlights 300+ artists, with 35 featured artists including Automatic, Danielle Ponder, Sierra Ferrell, Genesis Owusu, BenDeLaCreme, and Bartees Strange. [Full list of Live List artists here.]

“I feel really lucky to be recognized for performing,” said Bartees Strange. “I think about it a lot, and we work hard to put on a great show. I love playing shows; it’s one of the greatest gifts I can ever have and share. Thanks to NIVA and all of the venues and promoters behind the scenes of our shows.“

Bandsintown donates $175,000 in show marketing

As part of the effort, Bandsintown, already a NIVA supporter, has donated $175,000 in marketing to Live List artists and the promoters who book them. Each artist will receive a congratulatory $250 voucher to promote a show, album release, or merch drop to Bandsintown’s 75 million-strong fan community. NIVA members will also be incentivized to book a Live List artist with a $250 voucher.

“We are thrilled to congratulate those 350 emerging acts for their initial selection,” said Fabrice Sergent, Bandsintown co-founder and managing partner. “We want to boost their ability to be booked by contributing to the marketing of the artists and their shows, so NIVA members get even more excited to book them.”

In addition to Bandsintown and TIDAL, ROSTR, VenuePilot, 1of1 Custom, Found Surface, and Gibson have also pledged support for The Live List.

Year-long Live List celebration starts at TIDAL SXSW event

A year-long celebration of Live List artists will begin with an unofficial event during SXSW. NIVA’s The Live List Day Party will be presented by TIDAL at Parish, in Austin’s Sixth Street Entertainment District from 11:00 AM to 6 PM. (RSVP HERE.)

The event features performances from Live List artists, including Shamarr Allen & The Underdawgs, Bartees Strange, The Heavy Heavy, Cheekface, Gabe Lee, Oh He Dead, Mary Santora, Lowertown, and more. TIDAL is paying all of the talent’s performance fees as part of its expanded $5 million TIDAL RISING emerging artists program.

“NIVA members book, promote, and attend countless shows a year,” said Jordan Anderson, Troubadour Talent Booker, and The Live List Task Force Co-chair. “We see acts who really have the ability to go the distance and, with that, we believe The Live List is a way for us to continue to help develop and foster these artists as they move forward in their careers.” 

Bruce Houghton is the Founder and Editor of Hypebot and MusicThinkTank, a Senior Advisor at Bandsintown, President of the Skyline Artists Agency, and a professor for the Berklee College Of Music.