What does a Music agent do?
The agent works to provide commercial successes across; shows, festivals, personal appearances and other key branding areas!
Since the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, the whole entertainment industry has stopped and the LIVE sector has been forced to cancel shows and festivals across the globe, so for each artist and band thinking out the box is even more vital in the navigation of the music industry of today.
In this blog, I will be looking at what a music agent does and why they are an important part of your journey.
A music agent is a person who is responsible for booking shows, gigs, festivals for bands.
Let’s look more closely…
Agents, more broadly, also approach promoters about shows, negotiate contracts for live performances, and making sure the wheels of a concert tour or just a single show runs as smoothly as possible.
In the music world, booking agents are different from talent managers. Booking agents are the people that the book shows for the artists they represent.
They make all of the arrangements with the promoters of the shows.
The booking agent presents the promoter or producer of the concert with a performance agreement, which stipulates the artist’s requirements.
Items may include lighting, sound, meals, hotel accommodations, and transportation.
For concert buyers, they work to find the right artist that will fit the need and available budget.
Many of the major booking agencies refuse to represent clients who are not already signed to a major record label and have a national distribution of their music.
Due to the nature of this, artists on independent record companies often seek representation with an independent booking agency.
Music agents hold the key to good shows, and as an up-and-coming band, a good agent on your side can mean playing in front of bigger audiences sooner than you probably would by booking your gigs, festivals and show.
If you can sign with an agent who works with larger bands, you’ll have the inside track on getting the support slot on tours that larger bands have, this will also allow you to sell your merchandise and gain more followers, but just be aware as a NEW act you may have to buy onto the tour (investment/buy on to some or all shows — for a fixed price).
Music agents also have the ear of all the good promoters across each territory, which means you have an immediate foot in the door with venues and promoters instead of having to convince them to give you a shot, which is a difficult call.
Agents likewise have the pull to get you more money than you could on your own, which is a plus.
Bars and nightclubs that specialize in presenting live music regularly basis often employ an individual to assemble the schedule of events.
These people are the venue’s buyers, and should not be confused with the booking agent, who presents their roster of available acts to the buyer.
Booking agents may also have contacts known as freelance promoters. These are individuals that agree to produce a concert by locating a venue, providing a sound system, and assembling a staff.
Producing a show in this manner, at a location that is rented out for a single evening, is called “four-walling,” as it entails renting a venue and receiving no additional services or technical equipment other than space itself.
This has often been the only available option for underground musicians lacking enough popular appeal to gain access to more conventional performance venues but is also used among the genre of raves and various DJ-related events.
The cost factor of having a booking agent has to be weighed against what they can do for clients and buyers alike.
Some agents represent several different types of artists, while others represent artists in one main area/genre.
The entertainment industry has changed, my belief is the more information you have the better-informed decision you can make about your career.
These are just a few areas I will be touching on to help acts, artists, and bands over the coming weeks. I wish everyone great success on your musical journey….!!
By Pete Moore
