There are moments in this industry where you either stay quiet… or you speak up.

For us, this was one of those moments.

When we came across a Facebook post from an organization promoting one of their largest annual events, we noticed something that didn’t sit right. We’re not going to name names here… so let’s just call them MCOC. They were looking for 1–2 musicians to perform- for free.

In exchange? “Exposure.”

And let’s just say MCOC got ripped apart in the comments by musicians all over the state.

The Problem With Exposure

Let’s be clear- exposure has value. But exposure doesn’t pay bills.

The event itself was expected to draw over 600 paying attendees. Sponsors were involved. Revenue was being generated. Yet the very people responsible for creating the atmosphere- the musicians- were being asked to donate their time and talent.

That’s where the line gets crossed.

Live music isn’t a hobby when it’s done professionally. It’s a craft. A service. A career.

And like every other professional contributing to an event- planners, caterers, photographers, venues- musicians deserve to be compensated fairly.

Why We Spoke Out

As an event company, we don’t just coordinate timelines and logistics- we advocate for the people who make events what they are.

We reached out to MCOC directly.

Not to attack, but to address the issue head-on. In our message, we acknowledged the situation, the growing public response across platforms, and the frustration shared by musicians and industry professionals alike.

We made one thing clear:

The artists were right to be upset.

Many musicians are still recovering from the long-term impact of the pandemic—where live performances disappeared overnight. Asking them to perform for free at a large-scale, revenue-generating event sends the wrong message.

Not just to them- but to the entire industry.

Our Stance on Live Music Events

At Porchlight; An Event Company, we are fierce advocates for live music.

That means:

• Actively creating opportunities for musicians to perform
• Finding creative spaces and events where live music can thrive
• Ensuring fair pay for artists who bring energy and life to events
• Balancing fair ticket pricing so audiences can still access great performances

Because a great event doesn’t just happen- it’s built by professionals who deserve to be respected and compensated.

This wasn’t just about one post or one event. It was about setting a standard.

When organizations- especially those hosting large, well-funded events- choose not to pay performers, it creates a ripple effect. It undervalues the industry. It normalizes unpaid labor. And it makes it harder for artists to sustain their work.

We won’t support that.

But we will support solutions.

In our outreach, we offered to help source paid musicians and even assist in crafting a public response. Because at the end of the day, this isn’t about tearing anyone down- it’s about doing better moving forward.