Live plays, real income: how to stop leaving performance royalties behind

When your music is performed live – whether by you, a DJ, or someone else – you could be earning royalties. One gig can be worth more than 30,000 Spotify streams. Yet many songwriters are still missing out.

This blog is based on the panel Live plays, real income, which I moderated at Athens Music Week 2025. We discussed the reasons these royalties are often unclaimed, and what can be done to change that. The message was simple: if you wrote the song, you're owed the money. But the system doesn't pay you automatically – you have to ask.

As someone who works across rights, publishing, and administration, I see how often this area is overlooked. Many artists focus on the visible side of their careers – streaming, social numbers, content output – but not on the money they're quietly missing. This session was a chance to speak openly about that gap.

Speakers:

Andres Payne – CEO, Vollou
George Myzalis – COO, EDEM Rights
Nick Devon – Music Producer / Artist
Marko Anastasov – CEO, MUZE Corp.

Moderator:

Mandy Salem-Aubry – Founder, MSA Music Services / Conference Programme Coordinator, AMW

Why are live royalties so often overlooked?

Live royalties remain under-claimed for a few key reasons:

• Artists chase visibility over income.
• Setlist reporting isn't widely explained or encouraged.
• Royalties from gigs seem less tangible than a streaming count.
  

Yet live plays are often worth much more. The issue isn't the value – it's the lack of awareness.

Why don’t more creators claim?

Many creators simply don’t know where to start:

• No one tells them it's their responsibility.
• The process feels complicated and uninviting.
• Admin doesn’t feel "creative".

As a result, even proactive artists often leave this income behind.

What’s needed to actually get paid?

Three things need to be in place:

• Your songs must be registered with a collection society.
• Each performance must be reported with an accurate setlist.
• Metadata needs to be correct and matchable.

If even one part is missing, your royalty can fall through the cracks.

How does it work across countries?

Setlist submission rules vary. Some countries require them. Others ignore them. Cross-border payments also depend on how well societies communicate. Venues aren’t always helpful. Many artists don’t realise they can claim for gigs outside their home territory – and often no one tells them.

Why are DJs and electronic artists especially underserved?

• Long, informal, or improvised setlists.
• Lots of unreleased or self-released material.
• No culture or expectation of submitting setlists.
• Authorship and performance roles often overlap.
  

It makes a rights system built for traditional live shows feel hard to navigate.

Where does technology help – and where not yet?

Tools like music recognition software are making a difference, especially for DJs.

• MRT (music recognition tech) helps automate tracking.
• Useful in clubs and festivals.
• Still limited for bands, hybrid sets, or traditional gigs.
• Adoption varies from country to country and venue to venue.
  

Technology helps, but it’s not a full fix.

What can publishers or admin teams do?

A good publisher or admin partner can:

• Register your works properly.
• Submit and track setlists.
• Handle international claims.

But many creators don’t have this support, and do-it-yourself platforms often don’t offer enough. This is a major reason royalties go unclaimed.

What practical action can creators take?

• Submit setlists after every gig – make it part of your routine.
• Register your songs early, even before release.
• Use tech tools where they help.
• Get help where you can – or talk to someone who knows how.
• Encourage others to claim too – create a culture of reporting.
   

  Final thoughts

  The most valuable takeaway from this session? Don’t leave money on the table.

If you're a writer, and your music is being performed live, you can be paid for it. But no one is going to do it for you. You have to set up the systems or find someone who will.

If you’re unsure how to begin with setlists, registrations, or live royalty claims – or you’re supporting a roster who could use help – feel free to get in touch.

You might also like my reflections on the future of music recognition technologies, especially if you're interested in how technology can support performance tracking and live royalty collection.