Live Concert Royalties

Pop Concerts

BMI uses an independent source of pop concert information to create a database which is used to solicit concert set lists. We compile these responses and determine semi-annually which musical acts were among the 200 top-grossing tours. A royalty payment is calculated for each BMI-licensed work used in the opening and headliner's acts in each of these top musical tour set lists. Since the number of BMI-licensed works changes from one semi-annual period to the next, as do the license fees collected by BMI from concert promoters and venues, the royalty rate for your works performed in live pop concerts also changes each period. Each song used as part of a medley during a live pop concert will be assigned one-half of a full credit rate.

Classical Concerts

BMI pays royalties for original classical works performed at live classical concerts in the U.S. which are presented by entities licensed by BMI under classical and symphonic licenses. Payment is based upon a census of all eligible concert programs received from these licensees. The rates are determined annually based upon the fees received from classical licensing and the total number of BMI works performed.