Booking

Performance Booking Agreement Template

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This agreement is made this ________ day of ______________, 20__ by and between _______ (Presenter) ___________ (hereinafter referred to as the “Presenter”) and  _____ Artist_____ , if more than one, listed on Addendum A attached hereto and included herein (hereinafter referred to as the “Artist”), by and through their designated agent or representative (“Manager”) identified below.

WHEREAS, Presenter conducts the event known as: ________________________________________________ (hereinafter referred to as the “Performance “); and ______Artist ____________

WHEREAS, Presenter desires to hire Artist, as independent contractor(s), to provide the Performance generally described below (the “Performance”).

WHEREAS, Artist(s) desire to provide such Performance;

The parties agree as follows:
1. Artists: The names and addresses of the Artist who will appear during the Performance, the amounts to be paid to each.

2. Agent/Manager: The name and mailing address of the Representative, who is executing this Agreement on behalf of Artist(s), is: ______________________________________________________

3. Place of Performance: The place of performance is at _____________________________________________________________

4. Date(s) and Time(s) of Performance:
The date(s) of the Performance shall be ______________________, 2002 and the time(s) of the Performance shall be _______________________. This Performance shall be _______ hours with a __________ intermission.

5. Performance: The Performance is generally described as: _____________________________________________________________

6. Agreement to Perform: Artist(s) agree to provide the Performance in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and any addendums or riders hereto.

7. Price of Performance: Presenter agrees to pay Artist or his agent an aggregate of _______________________ DOLLARS ($0000) for the Performance by cheque immediately following the Performance. The cheque shall be made payable to: _____________________________________________________________.

8. Recording, Reproduction or Transmission of Performance: Presenter will use its best efforts to prevent the recording, reproduction or transmission of the Performance without the written permission of Artist(s) or Artist’s representative.

9. Excuse of Obligations: Presenter and Artist shall be excused from their obligations hereunder in the event of proven sickness, accident, riot, strike, epidemic, act of God or any other legitimate condition or occurrence beyond their respective control.

10. Taxes: Presenter agrees to prepare and file all tax information required of a person who hires an independent contractor and Artist(s) agree that they have sole responsibility for the payment of any federal or provincial taxes arising from the monies paid by Presenter to Artist(s) for the Performance.

11. Indemnify for Copyright Infringement: Artist(s) represent and warrant that they are knowledgeable about the copyright laws of Canada as applicable to the Performance, and that Artist(s) shall not perform any copyrighted materials of others during Performance without full compliance with such applicable copyright laws. In the event that Artist(s) breach this representation, warranty and covenant, Artist(s) hereby agree to INDEMNIFY AND HOLD HARMLESS Presenter and its employees, guests and agents from and against all liability, loss, damages, claims, and expenses (including attorney’s fees) arising out of such breach.

12. Independent Contractor: Artist(s) acknowledge that they shall perform their obligations hereunder as an independent contractor and not as an employee of Presenter. Artist(s) further acknowledge that they are not on Presenter’s payroll and/or tax withholding rolls. Artist(s) shall have sole control and direction in the conduct of the Performance.

13. Merchandising: Artist(s) shall not sell any goods, products, merchandise or services (other than the services provided herein) at the performance except by express written permission of Presenter.

14. Promotion: Presenter shall be entitled to advertise and promote the appearance of Artist(s) and the Performance. Artist(s) acknowledge that Presenter will rely on the terms hereof in all such promotions and advertising and in the brochures to be printed setting forth the names, dates and times of all performances to be held. Artist(s) hereby acknowledge and agree that Presenter may use their names, photographs, likeness, facsimile signature and any other promotional materials in all of such promotions, advertising or other activities used to increase attendance at performance.

15. Parking: Presenter shall provide parking space for vehicles in a location of close proximity to and with direct access to the backstage area where Performance will take place on the date(s) of Performance. This parking space will be reserved for Artist(s) for a period of four (4) hours prior to the Performance and ending three (3) hours following the Performance.

16. Security: Presenter shall provide security for the backstage and stage areas before, during and after the Performance. Presenter shall provide security personnel to protect Artist(s) and their property as deemed appropriate by Presenter in its discretion.

17. Passes: Presenter shall provide identification passes to Artist(s) for the backstage and stage where Performance is to be held.

18. Stage: At its sole expense, Presenter shall furnish the stage, and stage lighting, sound and power for the Performance, and Presenter shall provide all stagehands required to assist the setup for and conduct of the Performance and takedown after the Performance.

19. Dressing Rooms: Presenter shall provide Artist(s) with one private dressing room, which will be clean, dry, well-lit and air-conditioned.

20. Authority to Execute: The representative who is executing this Agreement on behalf of Artist(s) hereby warrants and represents that he has the full power and authority to bind Artist(s) on whose behalf he is executing this Agreement and acknowledges that he is making this representation and warranty with the understanding that Presenter is relying thereon.

In Witness Hereof, this Agreement is executed on the date first above written.

Presenter (Authorized signature)

By: ____________________________________

Date:___________________________________

Artist/Agent or Manager representative

By: ____________________________________

Date:___________________________________

How to land a Weekly Paid Gig

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Usually taking place on the weekends, the weekly paid gig is coveted by many musicians. Your dreams of having a confirmed show every week in a great place with patrons pouring in the door and selling tons of merchandise would be awesome to have become reality. Regulars coming back every week, a national tour much more within your grasp because of local prowess, and tons more fans could potentially await you. If your skill is in the DJ realm, this is also just as valuable; weddings and other events that will park you in front of other future clients, and help steady your stream of ever-needed cash. Especially as valuable in the winter months, these steady gigs can account for your “base” income, what you need to stay gigging, fresh, and keep your gear updated. And once you really prove your skill set, the owner of the venue sees it as a win win opportunity because he has a solid act that he knows he can count on to sell alcohol, get people inside, and cross promote the venue. Here we will take a look at some great tactics to use for finding a weekly paying gig.

Frequent contact with other bands you like

After speaking with an agent out in LA who is still very successful in promotion, he told us one thing to keep in mind: booking agents and bar personnel get demo CD’s and requests all the time, but how many do other bands really get? We know that since social media really blew up and bands started contacting each other the number has moved up a bit, but contacting other bands has one main edge on other methods: sometimes they have their hands so full that they may be able to offer up prime gigs. Yep! It’s true; the biggest show I have ever played in my life was done using this route. The band was not even from my town, and on their schedule it did not even appear that they were playing there in the future. I sent them a message telling them that I was booking shows in one of the premiere venues in town and thought that they sounded similar to us, and it just so happened 6 weeks down the road they were in fact coming through and on a Saturday night no less.

Direct contact with booking folks

In many towns like Athens, Georgia or Austin, Texas, there is an area that you can really target where almost all the hot venues lie. Having a well recorded demo and or/press packet should be dropped off at all these venues. Yes, you can leave the material with the bartender if you really wish, but the owner/booking individual is best. Never seem too eager, just convey the idea that you really want them to hear your sounds, and don’t expect the weekend residency up front. You may have to play on an earlier weekday to get the ball rolling, but that’s not all bad. If ten or twenty people show up and you act is if it’s 100, don’t apologize on the mic for low turnout, and plain rock hard, they will be able to envision your performance on a weekend night. Social media contact can work for this purpose, but a face to face is so much better; and if your press packet has photos of you playing crowded houses, all the better.

Respecting perks of the venue

While you are playing your way up to the point at which you could be ready for steady paying gigs, do not abuse the privileges the venue will give to you. How you act during a Wednesday night crowd will reflect on how you may very well act if offered a weekly paying spot. Yes, rock and rollers are known for alcohol and drug use, but only a few beers and maybe a shot should be consumed on stage. Once a band starts to gain some local momentum, it’s easy for them to start to abuse the freebies that come their way. Keep in mind that the club owners have dealt with huge acts coming through town, and you as a local band needs to be low maintenance.

Put yourself in their shoes and realize that for all the people that want to act fussy when they play the club, there are brand new bands that may have a very hip sound that could easily bring more people in the door. One misconception about bands just getting started is that they won’t have a following, and so don’t be surprised if when you abuse the guest list or other freebies if your spot is bumped for a newer act who is hungry to play. If you follow these pointers and are able to land a weekly paying gig, the residency will reward you in many ways; it is 100 percent worth the patience, finesse, and good manners to get to that coveted spot.