Outdated policies still put a leash on local music in cities across the country, buried in cabaret licenses, dance-hall permits, and zoning definitions written decades ago. In Sacramento, a bar playing recorded music loses its permit exemption the second someone starts dancing. New York only stopped asking about dancing on liquor licenses days ago; most cities haven't gotten that far.

Hint: it’s not just money.

When civic leaders ask us what the music community in their city needs, the default assumption is usually grants. More money. Bigger checks. And to be clear: reliable income is the #1 response when we ask music people what would most help their work. The economic pressure is real and we shouldn’t pretend it isn’t.

Sacramento Music Census Released: Mayor Steinberg Calls for Regulatory Reform

The City of Sacramento recently released the results of its Sacramento Music Census, a survey designed to better understand the present lived experience of people in the music community and their contributions to the creative economy in the capital region. Nearly 1,400 people from the music community responded to the survey, which was in the field in October and November 2022.

Chattanooga, a city teeming with musical talent and potential, recently conducted a comprehensive music census to better understand its music community and identify areas for growth and improvement. The latest city in the Multi-City Cohort to complete a music census. The survey targeted residents aged 18 and older from the greater Chattanooga metro area, encompassing City of Chattanooga and several surrounding counties, who were professionally or semi-professionally involved in various music-related fields. The census yielded invaluable data that sheds light on the challenges and opportunities faced by the city's music ecosystem. In this blog, we delve into the key findings from the Chattanooga Music Census and explore the potential for creating a cohesive and thriving music community. The Chattanooga Music Census enjoyed the highest participation rate in Sound Music Cities’ history with 3.3 responses per 1,000 population.

Preserving live music in changing cities requires proactive planning, collaboration, and strategic initiatives. By collecting and utilizing relevant data, implementing policies to prevent displacement, preserving cultural identity and performance spaces, addressing regulatory challenges, amplifying local media coverage, fostering collaboration, and providing resources for creative growth, cities can create a sustainable and harmonious future for their music communities. It is through these concerted efforts that we can ensure the continued vibrancy and cultural significance of live music in evolving urban landscapes.

As cities around the world strive to support vibrant music ecosystems and foster cultural growth, it's crucial to make informed decisions regarding resource allocation. One area where cities often invest considerable funds is in music ecosystem assessments. However, it's essential to question whether paying six figures for such assessments is a prudent use of resources.

At Sound Music Cities, we firmly believe in providing cost-effective solutions that deliver actionable insights. That's why we offer the Music Census™, a more affordable, efficient, and viable option to costly assessments. Let's explore why paying excessive amounts for music ecosystem assessments might not be the wisest choice.

In 2023, the Austin Music Census launched a refreshed approach that’s also been adopted by Chattanooga and Sacramento. The updated census offers several improvements ready for the cities that join the new multi-city cohort.

Economic impact studies on music, while valuable in many respects, may only tell half the story because they often focus solely on the quantitative economic aspects and may not capture the full range of social, cultural, and creative impacts that music can have on a community or society.