Silvio Rodríguez's Concert Earnings in Chile Held by Court Order: Here's Why

The renowned Cuban musician, Silvio Rodríguez, finds himself at the center of an unexpected legal dispute during his South American tour. While he captivates audiences at Santiago's Movistar Arena on his scheduled dates—September 29, October 1, 5, and 6—the Chilean judiciary has intervened, demanding the withholding of a portion of the revenue from ticket sales. This amounts to 100 million Chilean pesos, roughly equivalent to 106,000 US dollars at the present exchange rate.

Legal Action by Chilean Music Society

The judicial move was initiated by the Chilean Society of Musical Authors and Performers (SCD), accusing the concert organizer, Redeyes, of a longstanding debt related to unpaid author rights. The SCD claims that Redeyes, back in December 2013, entered into a "Public Performance Authorization Contract for Musical Works and Phonograms" under an agreement with the Association of Entertainment and Culture Producers (AGEPEC). However, despite continuing to organize events and profit from protected works, Redeyes has persistently failed to fulfill its contractual obligations, neglecting to compensate the songwriters whose works were featured in the performances.

The Court's Decision in Santiago

Amidst these allegations, Santiago's 21st Civil Court has approved SCD's precautionary request, mandating the retention of 100 million pesos from the ticket sales revenue managed by Puntoticket. This ensures that the funds remain untouched until the legal dispute is resolved. The SCD aims to secure payment for the substantial, though unspecified, debt owed for author rights. Juan Antonio Durán, the General Director of SCD, emphasized the organization's commitment to uphold the value of music and the rights of its creators, as reported by local media.

Silvio Rodríguez's Role in the Controversy

It is crucial to clarify that the legal proceedings do not target Silvio Rodríguez himself, nor do they question his role in the matter. The artist, who maintains no direct contractual ties with the local production company, continues his South American engagements successfully. His concerts in Chile mark a much-anticipated return after a seven-year hiatus, drawing enthusiastic crowds.

The court order to retain funds is a preventive measure, pending the outcome of the main trial. Should the SCD prevail, the retained money could be used to offset part of the alleged debt. Conversely, if the ruling favors Redeyes, the funds would be returned.

Impact on Silvio Rodríguez's Payment

Currently, there is no indication that Silvio Rodríguez is directly impacted by the court's decision. The retention specifically targets ticket sale revenues linked to Redeyes' contractual breaches with SCD. As a hired performer, Rodríguez operates under separate contractual terms, typically receiving his fees in advance through distinct financial arrangements, independent of ticket sales.

Unless Redeyes has defaulted on its agreements with Rodríguez—a scenario not publicly disclosed—there is no apparent threat to his compensation. Recently, CNN Chile noted that neither Redeyes nor the artist's representatives have commented on the legal ruling. As of this report, no further updates have been provided.

In addition to his Chilean dates, Silvio Rodríguez is set to perform in Argentina, Uruguay, Peru, and Colombia.