If you play live music, you might be leaving money on the table every time you step off the stage. Most musicians know about getting paid by the venue or splitting cover charges—what a lot of us miss is the royalty money we’re actually entitled to earn from performing our own songs live. These are called live performance royalties. Whether you’re hitting the road, playing in your hometown club, or livestreaming online, claiming these royalties is not only legal—it’s designed for you by the music industry itself.
What Are Live Performance Royalties?
When you perform your original music live, every single set technically generates money. Performing Rights Organizations (PROs) like BMI, ASCAP, and SESAC collect licensing fees from venues, bars, clubs, and festivals. They then pay a portion of those fees back to songwriters and publishers as live performance royalties. It doesn’t matter if the gig was a packed arena or a tiny café—every performance is trackable income.
Why Are Venues Required to Pay?
Performance rights are a fundamental part of music law. Venues that host live or broadcasted music are legally required to pay for the right to publicly use copyrighted songs. That fee is bundled into their agreements with PROs—and you, as the songwriter, can claim your share as long as your setlist is registered.
How to Get Paid for Gigs: The Path from Stage to Royalty
Getting your live music income from gigs isn’t automatic. Here’s what needs to happen:
1. Register with a PRO
If you haven’t already, register with at least one music PRO—BMI and ASCAP are the main ones in the US. Registration is open to all songwriters, regardless of genre or stature.
- BMI: Free for songwriters to register.
- ASCAP: Charges a one-time fee, but many musicians find it’s worth it. Full disclosure, I’m with ASCAP.
You’ll need to register each song you’ve written and intend to perform.
2. Keep Your Setlists—Every Single Show
After each gig, keep a copy or record of your setlist. PROs typically need to know the date, venue, address, and which songs you performed (accurately titled and registered).
- Playing originals and covers? Only songs you’ve written/registered are eligible for your royalties.
- Playing your friend’s song? Unless you co-wrote or can claim publisher shares, you’re not entitled to those royalties.
3. Submit Your Setlists
Each PRO makes it easier than ever to claim live performance royalties. Here’s how the process works for the big two in the US:
BMI Setlist Submission: BMI Live
- Log into your BMI Online account
- Go to “BMI Live”
- Enter the details for each gig (venue, date, capacity)
- Submit your setlist: include accurate song titles and composers
ASCAP OnStage
- Log into your ASCAP member account
- Find the “OnStage” section
- Submit the details of each show and your setlist
Pro tip: Submit setlists as soon as possible. Each PRO has a submission window, usually within six months to a year from the performance date. Don’t let it slide or you’ll lose earnings.
What About International Gigs or Livestreams?
PROs have sister organizations worldwide. If you’re playing outside your home country, your US PRO often works with their foreign counterparts to track royalties. Submit your setlist as usual through your home PRO—international performing rights agreements can do the rest.
Live-streamed shows (YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, Twitch) are often a gray area. If you’re the songwriter and performer, and the platform is covered under blanket licenses, some PROs have started allowing you to claim for those sets. Check with your PRO’s latest guidelines—this area is evolving quickly.
Real-World Earnings: How Much Can You Make?
Don’t expect to fund your next tour from one coffeehouse gig’s live royalties. Payouts depend on venue size, the number of songs performed, and how often your works show up in live reports. Small venues might pay a few dollars per show; larger or repeated gigs stack up over time.
For full-time gigging musicians, religiously reporting every show throughout the year can add up to a substantial bonus check—I usually think a minimum of $1/song/set. Think of it as money you already earned, just waiting for you to claim it.
Other Ways to Boost Your Live Music Income
Register All Your Work
If you wrote a song, register it with your PRO (and publisher, if you have one). Unregistered works can’t earn live performance royalties.
Document and Submit Every Performance
Keep a gig diary. Note venue names, dates, and setlists—it will save you time and stress when you report multiple shows at once.
Educate Your Bandmates and Collaborators
If you co-write music, split royalties through your PRO accounts. Each co-writer must submit the same setlists to maximize royalty splits.
Don’t Ignore the Small Shows
Even open mics or support slots with a handful of people count. Over time, they really add up.
Homework: Start Claiming Royalties for Your Next Gig
For your next live performance:
- Make sure all your originals are registered with your PRO.
- Write down the venue address, show date, and setlist immediately after your set.
- Log into your PRO account and submit the show details as soon as you can.
If you’re not getting these royalties, you’re not being paid fully for your art. Whether you’re playing once a month or gigging every night, claiming your live performance royalties is part of your professional toolkit. Don’t leave your hard-earned money unclaimed—take five minutes after every show to turn those sets into actual income.
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