Late-Night Music Performances Decline as Artists Turn to New Digital Platforms for Discovery
The role of late-night television as a launchpad for emerging musicians is shrinking as major shows reduce live performances, but artists and industry figures say new digital platforms could create alternative opportunities for musical discovery.
The recent end of CBS’ “The Late Show With Stephen Colbert” also brought an end to one of late-night television’s strongest music platforms, affecting artists who relied on national television appearances to reach new audiences.
For decades, late-night performances have provided musicians with a rare opportunity to introduce their work to millions of viewers. From breakthrough appearances by artists such as Chappell Roan on “The Late Show” to historic moments like The Beatles’ performance on “The Ed Sullivan Show”, television stages have played a major role in shaping music careers.
Traditional Late-Night Music Slots Continue to Shrink
The number of available late-night performance opportunities has declined in recent years. After James Corden left CBS’ “The Late Late Show” in 2023, the program was not replaced with another show offering the same kind of music-focused platform.
NBC’s “Late Night With Seth Meyers” has reduced its live music bookings, while ABC’s “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” has also cut back performances. Currently, NBC’s “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” remains one of the few major late-night programs that consistently features live musical acts.
The decline has created a challenge especially for independent and developing artists who previously viewed late-night appearances as a major opportunity to gain exposure beyond their existing fan base.
Artists Still See Value in Television Exposure
Despite fewer opportunities, musicians and industry professionals say late-night performances remain valuable because they can create moments that introduce artists to entirely new audiences.
Chloë Walsh, co-founder of publicity firm The Oriel, said music bookers often want to support developing artists alongside established names. However, with fewer available performance slots, emerging musicians now face greater competition for those opportunities.
Representatives for CBS, NBC and ABC did not respond to requests from The Associated Press for comment about the changing role of music in late-night television.
Future Islands’ Letterman Appearance Became a Career Turning Point
One of the clearest examples of late-night television’s impact came in 2014, when indie rock band Future Islands performed on “Late Show with David Letterman.”
The band, already respected in underground music circles, gained widespread attention after singer Samuel T. Herring delivered a memorable performance that drew an enthusiastic reaction from Letterman.
Bassist William Cashion later said the appearance became a major turning point for the group, helping transform opportunities that once seemed out of reach.
After the performance, festivals and industry figures that had previously overlooked the band began showing interest, giving Future Islands significantly greater exposure.
Independent Artists Look Beyond Television for Breakthrough Moments
The decline of late-night music slots has created a bigger challenge for independent musicians, who often depend on major exposure opportunities to expand their audiences.
Future Islands bassist William Cashion said the band’s experience showed how powerful a single performance could be, but he acknowledged that the path to discovery has changed significantly for newer artists.
While television once served as a major gateway for emerging musicians, many artists today are finding audiences through social media platforms and digital communities.
“We’re kind of an anomaly in the way that our song and that performance took off,” Cashion said. “But we’ve seen other bands have TikTok viral hits and stuff like that.”
TikTok and Streaming Create New Paths to Recognition
Short-form video platforms have become an important way for musicians to reach listeners without traditional media exposure. Several artists have built significant careers after songs gained popularity online.
Singer-songwriter Gigi Perez gained wider attention after the TikTok success of “Sailor Song,” while Malcolm Todd used viral songs to help secure a major label deal with Columbia Records.
Indie band Beach Bunny also experienced a major breakthrough when its song “Prom Queen” gained popularity online before the pandemic. The attention later helped the group earn appearances on late-night programs including “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” and “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.”
Even established artists have benefited from renewed online discovery. Weezer’s song “Go Away,” featuring Best Coast’s Bethany Cosentino, found a new audience after circulating on TikTok and becoming a popular track on Spotify.
Artists Say Short-Form Content Cannot Fully Replace Late-Night
Although online platforms have created new opportunities, some musicians argue that digital content does not offer the same impact as a traditional live television performance.
Beach Bunny singer Lili Trifilio said the music industry has shifted many promotional responsibilities onto artists themselves, with musicians now expected to create their own short-form content to attract listeners.
“I think now a lot of the responsibility of advertising is falling on the artists to be their own late-night special on TikTok or whatever,” Trifilio said.
She added that short clips created for social media do not necessarily provide the same value as a full live performance where audiences can experience an artist’s work in a different setting.
Trifilio said late-night appearances continue to serve an important purpose by helping musicians reach people who may not otherwise discover their music.
Digital Platforms Offer New Forms of Music Discovery
Music industry professionals say the changing media environment does not mean opportunities have disappeared. Instead, the methods of reaching audiences are evolving.
Chloë Walsh noted that creators are developing new formats that combine entertainment, interviews and live performances outside traditional television structures.
These emerging platforms are attempting to fill the gap left by declining late-night music segments while giving independent artists another way to connect with potential fans.
Online Creators Attempt to Rebuild the Late-Night Music Experience
As traditional television opportunities decline, some digital creators are developing new programs that bring together the elements that made late-night music performances valuable: discovery, live entertainment and direct connections between artists and audiences.
Chloë Walsh pointed to emerging online projects such as “Track Star(asterisk)”, a music trivia series that has expanded into live performances, and Julian Shapiro-Barnum’s YouTube program “Outside Tonight”, which features musical guests in a late-night-style format.
Shapiro-Barnum said the idea behind “Outside Tonight” came from recognizing a gap in the entertainment industry and finding a way to create a different version of a traditional late-night show.
“How can we do late night, but different?”
The program avoids a traditional studio setup by filming outdoors and focuses heavily on independent musicians. Recent performers have included rapper Erick the Architect, indie rock artist Annie DiRusso and experimental musician L’Rain.
Shapiro-Barnum said music was always intended to be a central part of the show because live performances remain an important feature of entertainment programming.
Artists Welcome New Platforms Filling the Late-Night Gap
Beach Bunny performed during the first episode of “Outside Tonight”, and singer Lili Trifilio said she sees these new formats as a positive response to the decline of traditional music spaces.
“It’s so cool to see people that are like movers and makers be like, ‘Hey, this is a gap I’m seeing. Late-night is being placed on the back burner. We need to revive this; I’m gonna figure it out.’”
Trifilio said the growth of longer-format online programming could represent a shift away from the dominance of short-form content, with audiences showing renewed interest in deeper entertainment experiences.
Live Performances Remain Valuable for Touring and Industry Exposure
Music industry professionals say the true impact of live television performances has often been difficult to measure through traditional sales numbers alone.
Walsh explained that exposure from a late-night appearance can help artists secure touring opportunities, attract promoters and gain attention from music industry decision-makers.
“It’s a showcase for touring. And that’s really where artists make their money.”
She said the value of a performance may not always appear immediately through record sales, but it can influence industry professionals who decide where artists perform and how their careers develop.
Even with the rise of digital platforms, many musicians still view a late-night television appearance as a major career milestone, particularly international artists trying to build recognition in the United States.
The Future of Music Discovery Continues to Evolve
The decline of late-night music slots reflects a broader transformation in how audiences discover and connect with artists. While television once dominated cultural moments in music, social platforms and online programs are increasingly becoming important spaces for discovery.
Industry figures believe the future will likely involve a combination of traditional and digital platforms, with creators finding new ways to recreate the impact of live performances.
For emerging musicians, the challenge remains the same: finding a way to stand out. Whether through television, social media or new online formats, exposure continues to be one of the most valuable tools for building a music career.
Source: Associated Press (AP News)
