Covid-19 tagged interest

Margin Walker Presents, possibly the largest independent concert promoter in Texas, meaning not owned by a national corporation like Live Nation or AEG, has closed its doors for good. The company, based in Austin Texas, has been promotiong live music events across the lone star state for many years in markets like Austin, Dallas, Houston and San Antonio at every level. 

In a statement from the organization on their website, representatives had this to say:
"For most of us in “the biz,” March marked the beginning of the close of live entertainment, which continues now, and will continue for a long time to come.The uncertainty and lack of resources have hammered down on those working in this world from venues to artists to festivals, promoters, and beyond.

Even with strategic changes in the business, painful staff cuts, and taking loans and grants, sadly, we at Margin Walker Presents have not been immune, and it breaks our hearts to announce that this wild ride has come to an end, and we are closing the business, as of this week.

Being both passionate about what we do and also the largest independent promotion company in Texas has made this a very tough decision, but one that, essentially, made itself.

Since 2016 we’ve had the privilege of booking and promoting over 3500 shows across Austin, Dallas, San Antonio, and Houston. We want to personally thank you for supporting those artists and venues. Please continue to do so when things start to come back online, they’re going to need it more than ever.

Y’all have made the past 4 years an incredible time in our lives. Stay happy, healthy, and keep your heads held high. At the end of the day, this is one small piece of the puzzle of this music community. We’ll see you on the dance floor again soon."

The company had recently done what the rest of us in the music have,  pivoted to try to adjust to the situation, but painfully, the potential revenue to run an organization the size of Margin Walker just proved not to be sufficient. The costs for socially distanced shows, when compared to the upside potential for the promoter, or at least the possibility of breaking even on their investment, has proven to be too high to support any sort of growth or even sustainability. 

Being based in Texas ourselves and knowing first-hand the good that Margin Walker has done for the Texas music scene, we are particularly sad to see them go. Their presence in this market will be truly missed.