What is a Buyout in Live Music?

A buyout is a cash payment made instead of providing something agreed in the rider, most often a meal buyout paid to the artist and crew instead of catering. Buyouts are common at smaller venues without kitchens and on show days where a hot meal is hard to arrange. The term is also used for an all-in "buyout" artist fee.

How a meal buyout works

Meal buyouts are agreed and paid in a few steps:

  1. Check the rider: the hospitality rider sets out meals for the touring party.
  2. Agree the buyout: during the advance, the venue and tour manager agree a buyout instead, with an amount per person.
  3. Confirm numbers: the number of people in the touring party is confirmed.
  4. Pay on the day: the buyout is paid in cash to the tour manager or added to the settlement.
  5. Record it: the payment is noted with a receipt for both sides' accounts.

Buyouts are one of many hospitality details agreed with each act, which venues handle through advancing in Crescat.

Meal buyout vs per diem

A buyout is paid by the venue or promoter instead of providing food. A per diem is a daily allowance paid by the artist's own team to touring members. A tour member might receive both on the same day.

Other types of buyout

  • Catering buyout: cash instead of crew catering
  • Rider buyout: cash instead of drinks or other rider items
  • Hotel buyout: cash instead of rooms the promoter would book
  • All-in buyout fee: one fee covering the artist's pay, travel and production
  • Equipment buyout: paying instead of supplying listed backline

Frequently asked questions

How much is a typical meal buyout?

It varies by country, city and the size of the tour. The amount per person is usually set in the rider or agreed in the advance, and should cover a decent meal locally.

Is a buyout always paid in cash?

Traditionally, yes, but many venues now add it to the settlement or pay by bank transfer. Agree the method in the advance.

What is an all-in buyout deal?

An artist fee that includes everything, such as travel, production and accommodation, so the promoter pays one figure and the artist covers their own costs.

Related terms