Ok, just to clear up any misconception.. take for example Madonna when she signed her deal she got hit off with 100M from livenation because Interscope partnered with them for the 360 deal... 360 deals benefit MAJOR artist because they attract such a high volume of fans they can easily sell out arenas which will make a 360 deal valued higher. So with that being said if Madonna got 100M deal 40M of that was a lump sum for the tour; the rest was for movie production deal and album..
So no one is getting 100% of merchandise unless you are independent and Livenation has exclusive agreements with most arena with a radius clause so you really don't have too much wiggle room to really demand 100% of anything.. I mean its never apart of the plan its a business. Don't give these artist too much credit at the end of the day someone owns them, and they have to pay they loans like everyone else.
Livenation signs the biggest artist because they pay them upfront for the shows. Where the artist can make the money is the one offs.. For example if you book in China at the venetian you are already there and artist hate doing just one or two shows due to long flight schedule so they will book a few smaller shows, appearances, and guest DJ at venues for mid 6 figures typically.. which is mostly profit minus management fees.. and agent fees.
I know this cause I'm in them offices..
