Q: “What are the best ways to track and analyze an artist’s draw in a specific market?
A: Introduction: There are a few Market-Specific,Buyer-Proven ways to Track & Analyze Artist Draw. See Below for some helpful pointers
1. Historical Ticket Data (Gold Standard)
If you can get it, nothing beats this.
What information to look for
- Last 2–5 performances within 100–150 miles
- Venue size vs. tickets sold
- Sell-through speed (not just final numbers)
- Day-of-show walk-up strength
Where buyers get information
- Promoters/Talent Buyers you trust (most accurate)
- Venue managers (especially municipals)
- Ticketing partners (Etix, Ticketmaster, AXS, Paciolan)
- Artist agents (verify, don’t blindly trust)
Pro tip
Ask “What did they do in ___ on anon-holiday, non-support slot?”
Holiday and free events inflate numbers.
2. Spotify (and Apple) —
Geo Data, Not Vanity Metrics
Raw streams don’t matter. Location does.
What actually matters
- Monthly listeners trend (stable vs. spiking)
- Song age vs. streams (nostalgia durability)
How buyers use this
- Compare market rank vs. population size
- Look for over-indexing (small city punching above weight)
Red flag
- Huge overall streams, ie: no Midwest cities = weak touring draw there
3. YouTube & TikTok —
Engagement > Views
Views lie. Engagement doesn’t.
What to analyze
- Comment density from regional fans
- Recent uploads’ like-to-view ratio
- TikTok sound usage by region (if accessible via creator tools)
4. Facebook & Instagram — Still Critical in theMidwest
This matters more in Midwest than LA or NYC.
What buyers check
- Follower location breakdown
- Event responses (“Interested / Going”) in nearby cities
- Comment language (“Come to Des Moines,” etc.)
Pro tip
Run a $50 geo-targeted test ad announcing a fake date.
Measure:
It’s the cheapest market test in the business.
5. Pollstar / VenuesNow /Billboard Boxscore
These are context tools, not gospel.
Use them to
- Spot venue downgrades (quiet red flag)
- Identify co-bill reliance
Limitation
- Doesn’t show underperforming shows
6. Streaming vs. Touring Correlation (The Reality Check)
Buyers always ask:
“Do they convert streams to bodies?”
Indicators they DO
- Audience singing along (watch clips)
Indicators they DON’T
- Viral spikes with no tour growth
- Heavy playlist dependence
- Empty pit videos circulating quietly
7. Local Radio & Regional Media
Still relevant in secondary markets.
What to check
- Spins on throwback / adult hits / hip-hop stations
- Morning show or fair/festival relationships
- County fair history (yes, it counts)
8. Market-Specific Comparables (Buyer Move)
Compare them to artists who’ve already played your market.
Comparables > hype.
9. Boots-on-the-Ground Intelligence (MostUnderrated)
This is where pros separate themselves.
Who to ask
- Local radio promotions staff
They know who actually shows up.
Pro-Tip
🎯 Pro Tip: Buy Moments, Not Just Artists
For city-based festivals (art fairs, harvest festivals, civic events),success is rarely about the biggest name — it’s about creating a predictable crowd moment that feels intentional, safe, and memorable.
What that means in practice
Instead of asking:
“Who’s the biggest artist we can afford?”
Ask:
“At what exact time do we need the largest, happiest crowd — and whatartist reliably creates that moment?”
