The new young band starts booking shows.
They’re a new young band so they book the small clubs.
As the small clubs start getting full a booking agent comes along and wants to take over the booking for the band.
The band asks the booking agent what kind of rooms are going to get booked…answer: small clubs.
The band turns down the agent because why give up 20% of revenue when the band can already book the same small clubs as the agent was going to book.
I’ve been here before too. It seems so logical to keep all the money possible since you know how to do the work.
What the band doesn’t realize is that its purpose is to be a band, not a booking agent.
As soon as an agent is willing to do at least the same level of booking work the band should say yes and get back to its own work. The 20% is a bargain.
Just because you can already do it doesn’t mean you should keep doing it.
You didn’t get in a band to be a booking agent.
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I’m always interested in your perspective, whether affirming or dissenting. Continue the conversation anytime: gabe@gabethebassplayer.com