Booking Tours

[DoNotResus]

Originally Posted by Largest of Als

Well, standard agent fee is 10%, but if you get a decent agent, you'll be getting paid more..

So, what are the chances that someone would wanna be paid £2 every couple of weeks or so and do my leg work?

[monkey star]

Russia might be given a miss then, We definatly aren't going legitmately. This is gonna be the first tour actually in a van, the rest has been hire car or train. Each one is more of a nightmare than the rest haha. Too be honest most of the places we have played havent been Legit, in Slovenia we played an abandoned swimming pool that didnt have running water, the crusties used to wash/shit in the bottled water resevior next to the squat.

[Largest of Als]

Originally Posted by DoNotResus

So, what are the chances that someone would wanna be paid £2 every couple of weeks or so and do my leg work?

Originally Posted by monkey star

Russia might be given a miss then, We definatly aren't going legitmately. This is gonna be the first tour actually in a van, the rest has been hire car or train. Each one is more of a nightmare than the rest haha. Too be honest most of the places we have played havent been Legit, in Slovenia we played an abandoned swimming pool that didnt have running water, the crusties used to wash/shit in the bottled water resevior next to the squat.

Finaly.. a subject I'm supremely knowledgeable about and can impart some wisdom..

A booking agent should see you getting paid MORE for each gig, as it's in his interest. Also, he'll be getting you a higher profile of gig if he knows his stuff. Just like managers, there are ALOT of sharks out there pretending to be booking agents. It's a fine balance between getting a good one, and finding one who'll take you if you're a smaller band.

Chances are with a decent agent, you'll be getting proper contracts, which will mean playing PROPER venues, and getting looked after for it.
Also, he'll be trying to get you onto bigger tours as support slot. The more money you make, the more he makes..

As far as van touring goes.. just remember to check driving distances and that you can actually get from one gig to the next.. especially in Eastern Europe, where borders can be difficult and roads can actually be dirt tracks..


Al

[DoNotResus]

Originally Posted by Largest of Als

Finaly.. a subject I'm supremely knowledgeable about and can impart some wisdom..

A booking agent should see you getting paid MORE for each gig, as it's in his interest. Also, he'll be getting you a higher profile of gig if he knows his stuff. Just like managers, there are ALOT of sharks out there pretending to be booking agents. It's a fine balance between getting a good one, and finding one who'll take you if you're a smaller band.

Chances are with a decent agent, you'll be getting proper contracts, which will mean playing PROPER venues, and getting looked after for it.
Also, he'll be trying to get you onto bigger tours as support slot. The more money you make, the more he makes..
Al

I'm starting to get more interested now, so I shall rephrase my question. What is the best way to get a, say apprentice type sort, booking agent interested in helping out a local act for experience (and of course some pay if they do it right). Or do people who are trying to get in to the job tend to sign up to agencies who dish out the acts to the prospective bookers? As you can see, I literally have no clue about this aspect.

[AWESOMEUS MAXIMUS]

pay me £500, and ill book you a tour.

[DoNotResus]

Originally Posted by AWESOMEUS MAXIMUS

pay me £500, and ill book you a tour.

Get me £50,000 from the tour and your on.

[Largest of Als]

Originally Posted by DoNotResus

I'm starting to get more interested now, so I shall rephrase my question. What is the best way to get a, say apprentice type sort, booking agent interested in helping out a local act for experience (and of course some pay if they do it right). Or do people who are trying to get in to the job tend to sign up to agencies who dish out the acts to the prospective bookers? As you can see, I literally have no clue about this aspect.

OK, I can give you a view from my world, which is mostly with the bigger booking agents..
Usually each agent has an assistant, and they tend to work their way up, picking up their own bands along the way.

It's difficult when you're a smaller band, as you're not going to get offered much cash, and 10% of nothing is nothing, so there's no incentive to actually do any work.

I'd recommend using any contacts you might have with touring bands, anyone you've played with, get them to put you in touch with their booking agents.

You can get some really good smaller agents, the people who are dedicated to in, not just for the cash, but I've not had anything to do with them for about 5 years since I left CPL.. sorry.


Al

[monkey star]

This has actually turned into a good thread, and has also made me wanna get a booking agent haha. Problem is, as Al said we are too small for that. Give it two years of solid touring and watch us rocket. I have found with long drives, especially at night is it frightnig, especially when the motorways have no lights, you are going through a forrest and its late october.

Cliff Burton jokes didnt go down well.

[DoNotResus]

Originally Posted by Largest of Als

OK, I can give you a view from my world, which is mostly with the bigger booking agents..
Usually each agent has an assistant, and they tend to work their way up, picking up their own bands along the way.

It's difficult when you're a smaller band, as you're not going to get offered much cash, and 10% of nothing is nothing, so there's no incentive to actually do any work.

I'd recommend using any contacts you might have with touring bands, anyone you've played with, get them to put you in touch with their booking agents.

You can get some really good smaller agents, the people who are dedicated to in, not just for the cash, but I've not had anything to do with them for about 5 years since I left CPL.. sorry.


Al

Cheers for the info. The wee shows I've got coming up have came about through contacts with other bands, so I'm gonna look more in to this avenue. The thing that worries me is the loss of control over what I'd be doing - is it a case of beggars can't be choosers, or should the artist get the final say in any plans with a gig-booker? I take it that kind of thing is written in to the contract. After all, the gig-booker has to make a living as well (if thats what they are doing it for).

Originally Posted by monkey star

This has actually turned into a good thread, and has also made me wanna get a booking agent haha. Problem is, as Al said we are too small for that. Give it two years of solid touring and watch us rocket. I have found with long drives, especially at night is it frightnig, especially when the motorways have no lights, you are going through a forrest and its late october.

Cliff Burton jokes didnt go down well.

I found my head bopping back and forth on the road back from Aberdeen after a gig. Had to pull over to the side and have a wee sleep. Scary to think how long 'micro-naps' could actually last for in the right conditions.

[AWESOMEUS MAXIMUS]

in that case, I will require £48,000 of the £50,000 you stand to "make". lulz.
fair deal!

[Largest of Als]

Originally Posted by DoNotResus

Cheers for the info. The wee shows I've got coming up have came about through contacts with other bands, so I'm gonna look more in to this avenue. The thing that worries me is the loss of control over what I'd be doing - is it a case of beggars can't be choosers, or should the artist get the final say in any plans with a gig-booker? I take it that kind of thing is written in to the contract. After all, the gig-booker has to make a living as well (if thats what they are doing it for).

It's important to find a booker that you're comfortable with. Before you sign up with anyone, discuss how you want the band/booker relationship to be.. at the end of the day, you're the boss.. he's working for you.


Al

[monkey star]

Originally Posted by DoNotResus

I found my head bopping back and forth on the road back from Aberdeen after a gig. Had to pull over to the side and have a wee sleep. Scary to think how long 'micro-naps' could actually last for in the right conditions.

As I dont drive I cant really comment, but if everyone stays awake it keeps the driver awake. Worse thing is I've been car sick pretty much every long drive. I think I'm in the wrong buisness.

[Largest of Gregs]

Originally Posted by DoNotResus

Get me £50,000 from the tour and your on.

or £5000

[DoNotResus]

Originally Posted by Largest of Als

It's important to find a booker that you're comfortable with. Before you sign up with anyone, discuss how you want the band/booker relationship to be.. at the end of the day, you're the boss.. he's working for you.


Al

Cheers! I'll give this all a bit of thought over the next few weeks.

Originally Posted by Largest of Gregs

or £5000

I adjusted this since I'm unsigned, very small profile, and can't really sing

Originally Posted by monkey star

As I dont drive I cant really comment, but if everyone stays awake it keeps the driver awake. Worse thing is I've been car sick pretty much every long drive. I think I'm in the wrong buisness.

Thats one of the reason I'm wanting to get a band with me when gigging - far to easy to fall asleep when it's only the radio for company. Opening the window doesn't even help when it gets drastic.

[Largest of Gregs]

Originally Posted by DoNotResus

I adjusted this since I'm unsigned, very small profile, and can't really sing

and can't calculate what £500 is 10% of