Written By: Leah C. Stevenson, Esq.
Music managers and music booking agents are integral members of a music artist’s team. Music managers are involved in every aspect of a music artist’s career development, while music booking agents usually have a more focused job role to procure live performance opportunities for the artist. While the terms “manager” and “agent” are thrown around frequently in the music industry, it is often hard to decipher what the role of each person is. We will dive a bit deeper into the nuances between music managers and music booking agents, their commissions, and the distinct roles these two team members play on the music artist’s team.
Managers
Role of a Manager
Managers are essential to a music artist’s team because they not only connect the artist to the right people, but the manager is usually directly in charge of the music artist’s professional development and overall career. Managers generally make countless calls and act as the music artist’s personal spokesperson to pursue career opportunities with different people in the music industry. Often, managers are very well connected to booking agents, publicists, lawyers, publishers, record labels, distributors, and other music executives who can help boost a music artist’s career in the industry. Additionally, managers help music artists make major business decisions that are often difficult and can change the trajectory of an artist’s career.
More importantly, managers are often heavily involved in the creative process, assisting with the artist’s overall marketing and branding. While assisting with the business and creative aspects of an artist’s career, managers are also in charge of logistics and scheduling for the artist. Managers often coordinate the artist’s studio time, appearances, business meetings and generally serve the liaison between the music artist and other people in the entertainment industry.
Commission, Term, & Income
Managers and music artists usually sign a legally binding artist-management agreement that outlines the substantive terms and memorializes the agreement amongst the two parties. A manager’s term is generally 3-5 years and at the end of the term, the artist and manager can choose to renew the agreement or part ways. Managers generally make between 15%-20% of the artist’s gross income and this can be substantial income for managers who manage multiple artists or manage extremely successful music artists in the industry. However, most artist-management agreements contain a “sunset clause” that allows the manager to receive a reduced portion of his commission for a certain number of years post-term or the agreement may contain language that obligates the artist to pay the manager the full commission for any deals that were entered into during the manager’s term.
Music Booking Agents
Role of an Agent
While a manager is generally involved in almost every aspect of the artist’s career, a music booking agent has a more specialized and niche role in the artist’s career, but no less important by any means. The booking agent’s job role is to connect music artists with their fans through live performances at venues, concerts, festivals, and tours. Essentially, music booking agents make live music performances happen by coordinating with local promoters, venues, and other parties in the music industry to facilitate live performances. A music booking agent’s job includes securing and arranging performances, negotiating the deals, and arranging the logistics of the live performances. These logistics include but not limited to, technical set-ups, securing hospitality for the artist’s team, assisting with travel arrangements, and organizing all promotional efforts for the live performance as well. Overall, a music booking agent works in tandem with the music artist’s team to bring the artist’s aspirations to life where the artist can perform live and really connect with their fans. From procuring new performance opportunities to negotiating the deal terms on the artist’s behalf, a music booking agent can truly assist a music artist’s upward ascension in the industry by extending their network and procuring new live performance opportunities on their behalf.
Commission, Term, & Income
Music booking agents usually charge a rate of 10%-15% of the artist’s gross income for the live performances the agent books, however, the individual music agent’s commission may vary depending on which talent agency they are with. A music booking agent (or its agency) generally has a contract with the music artist for a term of 1-3 years that outlines the substantive legal terms and obligatory duties of the agent as well.
Distinctions between Music Managers and Music Booking Agents
While music managers and music booking agents each have distinct roles and duties, both the agent and manager are essential team members to the music artist. Managers generally have their hands in all of the music artist’s affairs and professional opportunities, while music booking agents focus on procuring live performance opportunities where the artist can truly connect with fans. Both managers and agents work in tandem to help artists reach new professional heights and experience extreme growth in the music industry.
DISCLAIMER: The information provided on this website is solely for educational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. Instead, all information, content, and materials available on this website are for general informational purposes only. This website is not intended to create an attorney-client relationship between you and Leah C. Stevenson, Esq. and you should not act solely on the information given on this website without seeking the advice of a licensed attorney.
