All Ages or 21+? The Real Economics of Live Music | Ep 15

Radius Clauses 101: Why Your Gig In Reno Could Cost You Others

Derek’s back from Portugal and immediately gets pulled into one of the most misunderstood topics in the live music industry: radius clauses and how they impact concert venues, ticket sales, touring bands, and independent promoters. What starts as a travel recap from Portugal quickly turns into an inside look at the real business of live music, including Ticketmaster and Live Nation’s monopoly problems, rising concert ticket prices, venue booking strategies, contract disputes, and why independent music venues are struggling to survive in today’s economy. Derek breaks down how radius clauses actually work, why “as the crow flies” matters in venue contracts, how bands and managers can accidentally damage ticket sales, and the behind-the-scenes realities of operating an independent concert venue like The Boardwalk in Sacramento. The conversation also dives into the future of live entertainment, community-driven events, charity work, nonprofit partnerships, Palm Tree Brewing Company, Flying with D, and how The Boardwalk is trying to build something bigger than just another music venue. Meanwhile, Mikey attempts to understand geometry, auctioneering, Air Canada flight disasters, and why every vacation somehow requires another vacation afterward. Topics include: * Radius clauses explained * Ticketmaster & Live Nation controversy * Independent venue struggles * Concert ticket pricing * Music industry contracts * Booking shows & tour routing * The Boardwalk Sacramento * Palm Tree Brewing Company * Charity & nonprofit work * Portugal travel stories * Live music business insights * Community outreach & events

Why Venue Policies Matter | EP 18

On this episode of Between 2 Palms, Derek and Mikey get into the real reasons venue policies exist at The Boardwalk, from moshing and crowd safety to minors at all-ages shows, weed rules, alcohol laws, and the headaches that come with running a live room in the real world. Derek also talks about the hate mail, the balancing act between letting people have fun and keeping the venue open, and why some rules are not about killing the vibe ... they are about protecting people, staff, and the future of the room. The episode also shifts into a bigger conversation about ticket prices, community support, and why the Billy Bob Thornton & The Boxmasters show is such a major moment for The Boardwalk, with proceeds tied to the Firefighters Burn Institute and the Aloha Initiative. If you want the behind-the-scenes version of what venue owners deal with, this one is for you. For tickets and to see what shows are coming up, go to RockTheBoardwalk.com [https://www.rocktheboardwalk.com/]

Billy Bob Thornton at The Boardwalk – Summer Kickoff!

Derek and Mikey go live from The Boardwalk stage in Orangevale to drop huge news: Billy Bob Thornton and The Boxmasters are kicking off their tour in an intimate, 200‑person room right here in the Sacramento area. They break down how the deal came together, the risk of spending tens of thousands on a major act, why this show will feel more like a private party than an arena nosebleed, and how the night will also raise money for the Firefighters Burn Institute and local families. 🎟 Tickets & availability: RockTheBoardwalk.com [RockTheBoardwalk.com]

Inside the Ticketmaster Monopoly | Ep 16

Inside the Ticketmaster Monopoly On this episode of Between 2 Palms, Derek and Mikey pull the curtain back on Ticketmaster, Live Nation, and how their “partnership” turned into an illegal monopoly that’s choking out independent venues across the country. From ghost companies scalping their own tickets to 200-mile radius clauses that block bands from playing rooms like the Boardwalk, Derek explains what this looks like from the venue side in real life. They break down the proposed Department of Justice settlement, why a $280 million fine and 13 amphitheaters is basically a rounding error for Live Nation, and how fees “capped” at 15% just get baked into higher ticket prices anyway. You’ll hear stories about tours getting wiped out when Live Nation buys and shuts down venues, small festivals getting crushed by last-minute chargebacks, and why 70% of sub-500-cap rooms in the U.S. are struggling to survive. Derek also talks about what the Boardwalk is doing to stay alive—free Fridays, bringing in local acts, and slowly changing the “roadhouse” image—while still trying to give upcoming bands a real stage and keep tickets somewhat reasonable. They get into NIVA (the National Independent Venue Association), grassroots advocacy, and what fans can actually do besides just complaining about fees online. If you’ve ever wondered why ticket prices exploded, why it feels like Live Nation owns every show, or how long small rooms can hang on, this one will make you look at that “service fee” line a lot different The Boardwalk: rocktheboardwalk.com [http://rocktheboardwalk.com] Ticketmaster Live Nation ticket fees concert tickets live music industry venue owner perspective independent venues NIVA National Independent Venue Association ticket monopoly Boardwalk Sacramento Between 2 Palms podcast Jelly Roll live music tickets DOJ Ticketmaster lawsuit

All Ages or 21+? The Real Economics of Live Music | Ep 15

What makes more money... all ages shows or 21+ nights? The answer isn’t what you think. In this episode of Between 2 Palms, Derek and Mikey pull back the curtain on how small venues actually survive. From bar sales vs ticket sales to why some Saturdays go 21+ and others don’t, they break down the real math behind concert programming. They also get into: • A national touring artist throwing a backstage tantrum • A band that blew their headline slot for 20 minutes opening somewhere else • Venue poaching and behind-the-scenes music politics • Why persistence gets you booked (and ego gets you blacklisted) • Police presence affecting genre decisions • And how a rock club ended up partnering with the American Red Cross and saving 70+ lives This isn’t theory. It’s the real-life economics of running an independent venue in 2026. If you’re in a band, trying to get booked, or just wondering why venues make the decisions they do, this one’s for you. See what’s coming next, grab tickets, and check the full calendar at👉 RockTheBoardwalk.com And follow along for show drops, announcements, and and giveaways 👇📲 @rocktheboardwalk