M. Shadows of Avenged Sevenfold: Why Touring Has Become Unsustainable

M. Shadows of Avenged Sevenfold: Why Touring Has Become Unsustainable

Touring has always been the lifeblood of the music industry. It’s where fans connect directly with their favorite artists and where musicians traditionally make most of their income. But, according to M. Shadows, the frontman of Avenged Sevenfold, the financial reality of touring has fundamentally shifted—and not for the better.

In a candid interview with Consequence, Shadows laid bare the new economic challenges facing artists today.

“People have been blown out by ticket prices, because of the touring costs, because of inflation—every single thing stacks on top,” he said.

This quote captures a growing frustration not just in the music world but across the live events ecosystem. Ticket prices are skyrocketing for fans, touring costs for artists are higher than ever, and yet the people who matter the most—fans and artists—are being squeezed out by a system that prioritizes middlemen over genuine connection.

Shadows’ comments echo what many musicians have quietly acknowledged: touring is becoming financially unsustainable, even for some of the biggest bands. While these issues are complex, they highlight the cracks in an industry that no longer seems to serve its driving forces—the artists and the fans.

The Cost of Touring in the "Decade of the Middleman"

Over the years, the economics of live music have become a paradox. Fans pay more than ever for concert tickets, yet artists often leave tours in financial despair. So, where’s the money going?

The answer lies in what one Reddit user, responding to M. Shadows’ interview, aptly dubbed "the decade of the middleman." From ticketing platforms to dynamic pricing schemes and inflated service fees, middlemen have created a system where profits are funneled upward—away from the artists trying to make a living and the fans simply seeking a meaningful experience.

The Fan Perspective

For fans, ticket prices have become alarmingly unaffordable. Dynamic pricing, where ticket prices jump when demand spikes, has led to costs that can double—or even triple—within minutes of tickets going on sale. Fans who manage to grab tickets at face value are often shocked at checkout, where excessive service fees can add 20-30% or more to the total price. These fees rarely go toward improving the fan experience or supporting artists. Instead, they flow back into the pockets of ticketing companies, resale platforms, and other intermediaries.

The Artist Perspective

For musicians, touring has always been a delicate balance of passion and practicality. Rising inflation has pushed up the cost of everything: fuel for tour buses, accommodations for crew, transportation of equipment, and basic necessities. Beyond that, many venues now take a percentage of merchandise sales, cutting into what was once an essential income stream for artists.

Even for bands like Avenged Sevenfold, who can sell out arenas, the margins are thinner than ever. For smaller or mid-tier acts, touring becomes less an opportunity and more a financial gamble.

As Shadows put it, the challenges are stacking up for everyone: “Fans are priced out, but so are the artists. Everyone is losing—and yet the fees and costs keep rising.”

A Shared Frustration: “It’s the Decade of the Middleman”

A comment posted on Reddit, in response to Shadows’ interview, perfectly encapsulates the frustration felt across the music world:

“It’s interesting that concert tickets are so unaffordable while also bands can’t make any money touring. It’s the decade of the middleman.”

That single comment received over 6,500 upvotes in the r/Music thread, a reflection of just how widespread this sentiment has become. Fans feel exploited, artists feel drained, and yet middlemen—ticketing corporations, scalping platforms, and mega-venues—remain the only ones profiting.

But this isn’t just a problem for fans or musicians—it’s a problem for live music itself. If ticket prices continue to alienate fans and touring becomes financially unfeasible for artists, the entire ecosystem of live music risks collapse.

Already, smaller bands are scaling back their tours, and some larger acts are foregoing certain markets altogether. Shadows’ remarks resonate as more bands face the harsh reality of modern touring: unless something changes, live music may increasingly become the privilege of only a few.

How EveCom Is Addressing the Challenge

At EveCom, we're deeply aware of the issues surrounding live events, not only for fans but for the artists who are its lifeblood. While we don’t claim to be the solution to every problem, we’re committed to building a platform that prioritizes fairness, transparency, and sustainability for both audiences and performers.

Transparent Pricing

We believe fans deserve to know exactly what they’re paying for, upfront. EveCom eliminates surprise service fees, showing an all-inclusive price at checkout—so no one feels blindsided.

Fair Revenue Models

Instead of collecting excessive fees, EveCom structures its platform to ensure that a larger portion of revenue goes directly to the event organizers and artists—the people who make live events possible.

Rejecting Predatory Practices

We actively reject dynamic pricing and scalper-friendly resale models that inflate ticket costs unnecessarily. Instead, our secure resale system keeps tickets in the hands of real fans at fair prices.

Lower Barriers for Artists

Touring should be viable for everyone, not just the biggest stadium-headlining acts. By reducing platform costs, EveCom aims to give smaller and mid-tier artists the tools to succeed without losing control over profits or logistics.

A Vision for the Future

The problems facing live music are deeply rooted, and addressing them won’t be easy. Platforms like EveCom are just one step in the right direction, but real change will require a collective effort from fans, artists, and the broader industry.

At EveCom, we envision a world where live music thrives once again—where fans can attend the shows they love without feeling exploited, and artists can tour without losing money.

As thousands of fans and musicians have already highlighted, it’s time for the system to change. Live music should be something everyone can enjoy—because, ultimately, it belongs to the fans and the artists who bring it to life.

Key takeaways 

M. Shadows’ comments are a wake-up call—not just for the music industry but for everyone who cares about live events. It’s time for a rethink. Transparency, fairness, and sustainability need to be the priorities moving forward.

Platforms like EveCom are only the beginning of this movement, but they’re proof that alternative approaches are possible. Together, we can build a future where live music is accessible, sustainable, and, most importantly, thriving.