National Independent Venue Association Presents The 2026 Live List
NIVA’s Fourth Annual The Live List Spotlights Rising, Must-See Artists Who Are Building Their Careers on Independent Stages Across the U.S.
January 28, 2026 – The National Independent Venue Association (NIVA) presents the fourth annual The Live List in partnership with SPIN and Tour Tech’s SARA, and is the definitive roundup of 2026’s must-see artists as voted by independent entertainment industry insiders. NIVA aggregated votes from more than 1,000 NIVA members, consisting of independent performance venues, festivals, and promoters, to uncover the most exciting up-and-coming artists over the past year. This initiative is also taking place due to the generosity of Eventim See Tickets and with technical and data support from VenuePilot.
Rea highlights 50 artists, including Audrey Hobert, Bertha: Grateful Drag, Dove Ellis, Goldie Boutilier, Haute & Freddy, Nourished by Time, Monaleo, Robert Lester Folsom, and Spiritual Cramp.
The Live List is a survey of NIVA members who identify must-see musicians, comedians, performing artists, and other rising acts. It utilizes the expertise of live entertainment professionals who dedicate their lives to live shows and building artists’ careers. Over the past four years, NIVA’s The Live List has become an early indicator of breakthrough talent, spotlighting artists such as Doechii, Dijon, Raye, The Beaches, Gianmarco Soresi, and MJ Lenderman.
Through NIVA’s partnership with SPIN, The Live List serves as a trusted discovery platform for fans while reinforcing the essential role independent venues play in shaping the future of music and live performance.
“The Live List continues to spotlight emerging talent and is a true testament to the power of independent stages and promoters across the country,” says Stephen Parker, Executive Director of NIVA. “Artists who once appeared on The Live List while cultivating their craft on independent stages are now celebrated, successful acts - underscoring how vital venues, festivals, bookers, and promoters are to launching the next generation of talent.”
“I am somewhat surprised and incredibly honored to be a part of NIVA’s 2025 Live List of entertainers. I know the hard work we put in as artists and can only imagine how hard the people behind the scenes work. I am humbled by the kindness the entertainment enablers have shown towards me and my bandmates and how hard they work to make these live shows happen. By the response of our audiences and the joy they experience I know they are very appreciative as well. Thank you for being a part of my "Music and Dreams," says Robert Lester Folsom.
“We formed the Live List with the intention of empowering artists that are pounding the pavement day in and out, organically growing their fanbase through independent venues across the country such as Union Stage Presents in Washington DC, The Masquerade in Atlanta, and The Troubadour in LA. The Live List is the crux of what independent venues, promoters, and festivals are all about, nurturing artists’ careers and providing a platform to connect them with fans. When we launched the Live List in 2022, our goal wasn’t just to spotlight up-and-coming talent—it was also to celebrate the vital stages in every state and city across the U.S. that make those careers possible and inevitable,” says Live List Co-Chairs Jordan Anderson, Talent Buyer at The Bellwether & Another Plant Entertainment, Jake Diamond, Marketing Director at Union Stage Presents and Camilla Grayson,Marketing Director at The Masquerade.
“The Live List reflects SARA’s mission to support artists and the independent stages where careers begin,” says Tobi Parks, Co-Founder and CEO of Tour Tech. “Like the venues and promoters championing these artists, we’re committed to helping new and developing artists make touring a sustainable part of their careers.”
THE 2026 LIVE LIST
ABOUT NIVA
The National Independent Venue Association (NIVA) is the national trade association representing thousands of independent live entertainment venues, festivals, promoters, and more. NIVA works to preserve and nurture the ecosystem of live entertainment. NIVA empowers members and their teams with member benefits, advocacy on the state, local, and federal levels, an annual industry-leading conference, and more.
NIVA led the Save Our Stages campaign, culminating in landmark legislation in 2020 that established the $16.25 billion Shuttered Venue Operators Grant program, the largest arts investment in U.S. history.
NIVA is committed to equity in its support of independent stages. It seeks to create and encourage opportunities for venues, promoters, and festivals owned, operated, and staffed by people of color, women, non-binary, LGBTQ+, veterans, and people with disabilities.
ABOUT TOUR TECH
Tour Tech builds tools that simplify operations for venues, promoters, and industry partners—from licensing and reporting to data management and beyond. Our solutions combine practical technology with responsive support, helping handle the backend work so you can focus on creating unforgettable live experiences.
Tour Tech’s setlist aggregator royalty application (SARA) is designed to capture and organize live performance metadata in one streamlined system. By simplifying how setlists are reported and shared, SARA makes royalty administration more accurate and efficient for presenters, performers, and PROs alike.
CONTACT
Lucky Break PR
Kris Ferraro, Kris@luckybreakpr.com
Mike Stommel, Mike@luckybreakpr.com
