What does an Artist Agent do?

An artist agent (also called a booking agent or talent agent) is the person who secures and negotiates live performances for an artist, handling offers, fees and contracts with promoters and venues. Agents usually work for an agency and represent a roster of artists across tours, festivals and one-off shows.

What an artist agent does

An agent's work on a tour usually follows this sequence:

  1. Plan the tour: agree with the artist manager when and where to play, and what size of venues to target.
  2. Find dates: request avails from venues and promoters and place holds on dates that make sense for routing.
  3. Negotiate offers: compare promoter offers and negotiate the fee, such as a guarantee, a share of ticket sales, or both.
  4. Issue contracts: send contracts with the technical rider and hospitality rider attached, and collect deposits.
  5. Hand over: pass confirmed shows to the tour manager, who runs the advance with each venue.

On the other side of each deal sits a promoter or venue booker, who often tracks agents' requests in a shared booking calendar in Crescat.

Artist agent vs artist manager

An agent books and negotiates live shows. A manager runs the artist's whole career, including releases, strategy and the team, and usually chooses and directs the agent. Many artists have both, and the two work closely on tour plans.

Who an artist agent works with

  • The artist and their manager, who approve every offer
  • Promoters and talent buyers, who make offers
  • Venues and festival bookers, who hold and confirm dates
  • Tour managers, who take over once a show is confirmed
  • Agents in other territories, for tours abroad

Frequently asked questions

How are booking agents paid?

Agents are usually paid a commission on the artist's live fees, commonly around 10–15%, agreed in the artist's contract with the agency. They are paid only when shows go ahead, so a cancelled tour usually means no commission.

Should an artist get an agent or a manager first?

Most artists find a manager first. Agents generally take on acts that can already sell tickets, and a manager is often the one who pitches the artist to agencies and negotiates the agency agreement.

How do promoters find an artist's booking agent?

Agent contacts are normally listed on the artist's website or social profiles, often under "booking". Industry databases and the artist's management can also point promoters to the right agent for each territory.

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