CLMA Responds to SOCAN Words & Music Article

September 18, 2025

STATEMENT

RE: A Response from the Canadian Live Music Association to SOCAN’s Words & Music article, Why do music festivals require a SOCAN license?

The Canadian Live Music Association (CLMA) and its members have always been wholly supportive of Canadian music creators being paid for their work. Members comply with Copyright Board tariff obligations, including the payment of SOCAN license fees as required, to value and respect the creators who make live music possible.

For this reason, we were concerned by portions of the recent Words & Music article, “Why do music festivals require a SOCAN license?”, which could be read to suggest otherwise. Canadian festivals are committed partners in supporting music creators. To imply that they resist paying does not reflect the reality of the industry’s deep investments in artists, songwriters, crews, and suppliers. The CLMA’s Hear and Now report found that live music contributes almost $11 billion annually to Canada’s GDP—an impact made possible in no small part by the commitment of festivals.

We must also clarify a point mentioned in this article. In order for rightsholders to be paid their share of the license fee paid by festivals, SOCAN directs artists to submit their live performance set list(s). Festivals have not been instructed by SOCAN to collect these, so do not, as the article suggests, submit set lists on behalf of the artist.

The question has never been about whether songwriters and other rightsholders should be compensated—they must be, and they are. Indeed, SOCAN’s own annual reports show that live performance revenue has surged from $24 million in 2022 to $38 million in 2024—a 58% increase in just three years—demonstrating that the organization is collecting significant and growing sums from concert activity across Canada. The real challenge lies in a system that too often feels opaque and circuitous. Our members regularly raise concerns about transparency around fee assessments and royalty distribution. This lack of clarity can undermine trust between SOCAN and live music presenters, and in turn, can weaken an important ecosystem. Some of the content shared in this article further erodes this trust.

The CLMA is committed to working with SOCAN. By building more transparency, clarity, and efficiency into the system, we can together ensure that Canadian music creators are supported and compensated, while enabling festivals to continue to connect communities, fuel the economy, and showcase Canadian talent.

Erin Benjamin
President & CEO
Canadian Live Music Association

Tarun Nayar
Board Chair, Canadian Live Music Association
Co-Founder, 5X Festival
Co-Founder, Snakes x Ladders
Artist