Agents Look Ahead as AI Keeps Advancing: ‘We Have the Privilege of Being in a Human Industry’

Six booking agents from major agencies said live music is adjusting to slower growth, tighter tour budgets and rising production costs, while touring remains a relationship-driven business they do not expect AI to transform substantially. Their comments matter for artists and fans as higher costs and ticket prices put pressure on the economics of concerts.

Agents said club and theatre tours face especially thin profit margins, and artists may sometimes aim simply to break even while building an audience. Billboard’s 2025 year-end touring report showed ticket gross plateauing in 2024 and 2025 after the post-pandemic boom. Some tours are already being planned for 2028 and 2029, though agents expect repeated changes to schedules and routes.