Booking Agent
A licensed professional who secures live performance opportunities for artists.
Definition
A booking agent specializes in securing live performance opportunities for artists—concerts, festivals, tours, and private events. They negotiate fees, handle contracts, and build relationships with promoters and venues. Booking agents typically earn 10% of gross performance fees. Major agencies include CAA, WME, and UTA.
Why It Matters
Booking agents secure live performance opportunities and negotiate performance contracts. They bring access to venues, festivals, and tours that artists cannot access independently.
For touring artists, the booking agent is essential for maximizing income and building audiences. Good agents create routing efficiency, negotiate favorable terms, and open doors to prestigious opportunities.
Examples in Practice
An agent books an emerging artist as opener on a major tour, exposing them to 50,000 new potential fans.
A festival specialist agent secures summer slots that generate more income than months of club dates.
An agent's relationships turn a regional artist into a national touring act within two years.