Booking Major Acts

[jndietz]

Hey guys, I'm interested in booking some major acts. How does this work?

Do you pay the bands up front and then get profit from ticket sales or is it the other way around?

 

[mikemorgan]

You get paid when the show is over.

 

[jndietz]

You get paid when the show is over.

Okay...

So everyone gets paid after the show?

 

[NL5]

Okay...

So everyone gets paid after the show?

I am not 100% sure, but a buddy of mine bid on promoting the Static-X tour when it came through town. He put in a bid, but lost. I think he said he had to pay the band up front. He had to pay for the venue, security, etc up front as well, then he got all the proceeds. That might not be 100% accurate, but I think it's pretty close.

 

[pandamonk]

Hey guys, I'm interested in booking some major acts. How does this work?

Do you pay the bands up front and then get profit from ticket sales or is it the other way around?

Depends. You can book them for an up-front fee and that's the end of it(usually smaller shows) or you can book them for a fee then a percentage of ticket sales on top, or just a percentage.

Search online for their agents and get in touch. Just ask them how they do it? Here's a great place to start.

 

[mikeh]

Much depends on who the promoter is (re: track record). If the shows are being booked by a known promoter - the acts (or more specific their management) will likely ask for a retainer up front with the balance paid at the gig (as often as not, before the act actually goes on - as an example, while the opening act is playing).

However, as already suggested, it is common for the venue, security, transportation, food service, etc. to get paid most or all up front.

If you are not a known promoter (and clearly from your question - you are not) it is highly unlikely that anyone will contacrt with you unless they get everything up front. In which case - you would be taking on a huge financial risk.

 

[DavidK]

You get paid when the show is over.

Trust me on this: you get paid FIRST. I assure you. EDIT: The Band and the other workers get paid first. I misread Mikes post, sorry Mike!

We've had a few situations that we (backing string players for acts) would not go on because the check had not been given to our union steward. No money, no show.

I played with Ray Charles many times. I remember one on a Sunday. He didnt have his check so he wasnt going on. They had to call a banker and have him open the bank and write a Cashiers check. The concert started very late.

 

[jndietz]

So pretty much, if this is something I want to pursue, I'll need to have a lot of money upfront, especially since I'm not a "known" promoter? Should I get an amount for how much the act wants or should I get enough to cover opening bands, venue staff, venue sound system and then go from there?

 

[DavidK]

So pretty much, if this is something I want to pursue, I'll need to have a lot of money upfront, especially since I'm not a "known" promoter?

Absolutely!

First you have to find out about the venue, and find out if it is a union house. You may have to pay the union a fee. Then you find out if the employees there are union aka Teamsters.

You probably need a tx id and possibly a license. You will need an attorney FOR SURE. There is a LOT involved, from security, ushers, police, parking, catering, and possible bribes.

 

[mikeh]

While there are some promoters who do well - the world is full of promoters who paid out huge sums of money (6 to 7 figures) only to have a poor turnout, weak advance ticket sales (meaing the show is cancelled), bad weather, etc. - wipe them out.

For every promoter who is succesful enough to promote a 2nd or 3rd show - there are probably dozens who were financially broken after the first show.

Make real sure you know what you're doing. I would very much suggest finding both an attorney and an insurance broker who specialize in entertainment (most large law fims and large insurance brokers have people who do specialize).

 

[boingoman]

Trust me on this: you get paid FIRST. I assure you.

You are a musician. You get paid first. I'm a soundguy. I get paid first. He's a brand-new promoter. He gets paid last, if at all.

One reason everyone demands payment first is they've dealt with lots of promoters.

 

[DavidK]

You are a musician. You get paid first. I'm a soundguy. I get paid first. He's a brand-new promoter. He gets paid last, if at all.

One reason everyone demands payment first is they've dealt with lots of promoters.

Sorry, I read this wrong. I thought Mike was saying that "you" is "The band". I was indeed talking about "The band" being paid first. The promoter indeed may never get paid, he gets paid after the seats are full.

 

[NL5]

Yes, as others have said, I'd get some pretty beefy insurance, and a good lawyer.

 

[TerraMortim]

I am not 100% sure, but a buddy of mine bid on promoting the Static-X tour when it came through town. He put in a bid, but lost. I think he said he had to pay the band up front. He had to pay for the venue, security, etc up front as well, then he got all the proceeds. That might not be 100% accurate, but I think it's pretty close.

that's the case from what I've seen.

 

[TerraMortim]

One reason everyone demands payment first is they've dealt with lots of promoters.

amen to that brother. sheesh.

 

[mikemorgan]

Yes you (the promoter) get paid LAST, after everybody else gets theirs. In other words, you need cash to bring a show to town.