You played an amazing show. The crowd loved it. You got paid at the door—or maybe you didn’t. But did you know there’s a revenue stream most independent musicians completely miss? It’s called live performance royalties, and if you’re not collecting them, you’re handing away money you earned.
Live performance royalties aren’t just for arena acts or hitmakers. Any original songwriter who performs live, whether at a coffeehouse or a festival, is eligible—if you know how to claim them. If you’re serious about squeezing every bit of income out of your setlists, keep reading.
What Are Live Performance Royalties?
In simple terms, live performance royalties are payments you earn when your music is performed in public. This can mean a gig in a local bar, a set at a festival, or even an open mic night. Performance Rights Organizations (PROs) like BMI, ASCAP, and SESAC collect license fees from venues and distribute royalties to songwriters and publishers when their songs are played live.
These aren’t bonuses—they’re legally owed to you as the songwriter. But here’s the kicker: you have to report your setlist. If you don’t, no one else will.
How PROs Help You Get Paid for Gigs
How Does a PRO Work?
A PRO (Performance Rights Organization) collects licensing fees from venues and events that host live music. They then pay songwriters, composers, and publishers for the use of their music—whether via radio, streaming, or live shows. If your song is performed live, but you don’t tell your PRO, you’re missing that income entirely.
The Major US PROs for Songwriters
- BMI (Broadcast Music, Inc.)
- ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers)
- SESAC (invite-only, smaller reach)
Why Registration Matters
If you aren’t registered with a PRO, you can’t collect performance royalties in any form. Start by signing up with BMI or ASCAP (most songwriters pick one based on personal or professional fit), then register each of your original songs in their system. Only registered works are eligible for royalty payouts.
How to Report Your Live Performances (and Get Paid)
The process isn’t complicated, but it does require attention to detail. The two main tools you’ll use are:
BMI Setlist Submission (BMI Live)
If you’re a member of BMI, use their BMI Live portal to submit your setlists for any live performances where you played your original music.
Step-by-Step:
- Log in to your BMI account.
- Go to "BMI Live" section.
- Enter details: event date, venue, city, and the setlist (title of each song performed).
- Submit. That’s it.
BMI reviews the gig and pays royalties a few months later based on their payout schedule.
Tips for Getting It Right
- Submit every setlist. Even coffee shop gigs count.
- Double-check your song registration details in the BMI catalog—spelling errors can lead to missed payouts.
ASCAP OnStage
ASCAP’s version is called ASCAP OnStage. It works just like BMI’s, letting writers claim royalties for live gigs in the US.
Step-by-Step:
- Log in to your ASCAP account.
- Find "ASCAP OnStage" under Member Access.
- Enter event details and your setlist.
- Submit and wait for royalty processing.
ASCAP pays out a few times a year for reported performances.
Pro Tip: There’s no extra charge to use these services. If your bandmates are also songwriters, everyone should submit their claims with their share of the works.
How Much Can You Actually Earn?
Let’s get real: you’re not getting rich off a single coffee shop gig. In the US, live performance royalties usually range from $10 to $50 per setlist, depending on the venue size and the organization’s pool of funds. But if you gig consistently, play several original songs per set, and submit every time, it adds up over the course of a year.
Example: Indie Musician Math
- You play 3 gigs a month, each with 10 original songs
- Submit 36 gig setlists a year
- $25 average royalty per setlist
Annual royalties: 36 x $25 = $900
That’s a new pedal, record pressing, or tour van gas money you’d otherwise miss.
Can You Collect Live Performance Royalties Internationally?
Yes. If you perform outside the US, most PROs have reciprocal agreements with foreign societies. Keep records of your gigs and submit them to your PRO. If the event or venue is in a territory covered by these agreements, you’ll get royalties through your US PRO—just expect a slower turnaround.
Common Mistakes That Cost Musicians Money
- Not registering songs before gigging.
- Forgetting to submit setlists after shows.
- Assuming venues will report your performances (they rarely do).
- Using cover songs only. (Royalties go to the songwriter, not the performer, unless you wrote the cover.)
- Waiting too long. (Each PRO has a different deadline—usually up to 1 year from performance date.)
Simple Checklist to Start Earning Your Live Performance Royalties
- Register with a US PRO as a songwriter.
- Catalogue every original song in their database.
- After each gig, note the full setlist and venue details.
- Log in and submit your setlists via BMI Live or ASCAP OnStage.
- Track your payouts in your PRO’s dashboard.
Your songs are assets. Treat them like that.
Wrapping Up—Don’t Give Away What’s Yours
Your live music income isn’t just what lands in your tip jar at the end of the night. Performance royalties are a crucial, legitimate revenue stream—protected by copyright law, powered by PROs, and available to every working songwriter who puts in a little administrative work. If you want a sustainable music career, leave no money on the table. Submit every setlist, stay organized, and turn every gig into a chance to get paid twice.
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If you've released music or your music has ever been performed, you're probably owed royalties. And most artists miss out because they simply don't know what they're owed and how to collect. I created a free, 5-day crash course that explains how to collect ALL of your royalties.
