GigSalad Reports Surge in Live Music Bookings in 2025

Despite AI-generated media, independent musicians see increased demand for in-person performances.

Jan. 30, 2026 at 1:31pm

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GigSalad, an online platform that connects performers with event organizers, reported a 10.6% increase in music bookings in 2025 compared to the previous year. The company facilitated over 25,000 music bookings that generated $12.8 million in revenue for artists, highlighting the continued relevance of live music experiences.

Why it matters

The data suggests that despite the rise of AI-generated media, there is still a strong demand for live, human-performed music. This underscores the unique value that in-person entertainment can provide, as technology cannot fully replicate the energy and emotion of a live performance.

The details

GigSalad's data showed that the surge in bookings spanned a diverse range of musical genres and event formats, including violinists, DJs, cover bands, pianists, and more. The top five event categories were birthday parties, weddings, corporate events, cocktail parties, and holiday parties, followed by dinner parties and non-profit events.

  • GigSalad released its year-end data for 2025 in January 2026.

The players

GigSalad

An online platform that connects performers with event organizers.

Mark Steiner

CEO and Co-Founder of GigSalad.

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What they’re saying

“AI can write songs, generate beats, and simulate voices, but it cannot replace the energy of a great musician playing for a real audience.”

— Mark Steiner, CEO and Co-Founder of GigSalad

What’s next

GigSalad plans to continue monitoring trends in the live music industry and adapting its platform to meet the evolving needs of both performers and event organizers.

The takeaway

The surge in live music bookings on GigSalad's platform suggests that despite the rise of AI-generated media, there is still a strong demand for authentic, human-powered entertainment experiences that technology cannot fully replicate.