Putting on a concert for whatever type of band or music is similar and completely different to a conference. There are similar types of services, but also a different scale of logistics and additional headaches. So what does a live event booking manager need to consider? Below is a quick snapshot of some of things you need to consider.
Musicians
What is the type of music? What do they expect and what are their expectations and requirements? Knowing this information is vital before you start to produce your live event. Also are you pitching it to a music festival etc or creating a standalone gig. All of this has to be considered before you move forward.
Budget
How much is the event going to cost you altogether in terms of booking a venue for the live music event? You may get lucky and find a place that loves your band enough to give you 100% of the door sales as well as all of the pre-sold ticket profits and no room booking fee, while they take only what they make at the bar. Often times though, it is a little trickier than this and the money thing requires a little negotiation.
How much is the event going to cost you altogether in terms of booking a venue for the live music event? You may get lucky and find a place that loves your band enough to give you 100% of the door sales as well as all of the pre-sold ticket profits and no room booking fee, while they take only what they make at the bar. Often times though, it is a little trickier than this and the money thing requires a little negotiation.
Date
It’s usually good to have a few dates in mind that might work for your event. If the venues you are interested in have any of them available, see if you can place a couple on hold. Most performance spots do this for free with the idea that if someone else requests it, they call to let you confirm or cancel. Usually in these cases, the guy who can put money down first wins.
Venue
How many people can this venue hold for a show like yours and how many concert goers do you expect? What is the size of the stage? Some concert locations have a very limited backstage area for the band to hang out. Find out backstage specs such as capacity, bathroom access, and number of private rooms or areas with doors. How early can your crew get access to the stage to set up? How do you get your equipment inside the door (ramp, freight elevator, etc)?
How many people can this venue hold for a show like yours and how many concert goers do you expect? What is the size of the stage? Some concert locations have a very limited backstage area for the band to hang out. Find out backstage specs such as capacity, bathroom access, and number of private rooms or areas with doors. How early can your crew get access to the stage to set up? How do you get your equipment inside the door (ramp, freight elevator, etc)?
Tickets
Find out how to go about selling your tickets. Does the venue help with sales transactions and/or promoting the event or is it all up to you? Do you get all the money from ticket sales or does the venue want a percentage? Do you use other third parties?
Find out how to go about selling your tickets. Does the venue help with sales transactions and/or promoting the event or is it all up to you? Do you get all the money from ticket sales or does the venue want a percentage? Do you use other third parties?
Age Limit and Dress Code
Find out about the venue’s requirements. Some places do not permit all ages shows primarily for liability reasons or have a specific dress code.
Find out about the venue’s requirements. Some places do not permit all ages shows primarily for liability reasons or have a specific dress code.
Merchandise
Bands and individual musicians often make a large portion of their profits from merchandise sales. Are you allowed to have a merchandise booth at this venue? Does the venue take a percentage?
Bands and individual musicians often make a large portion of their profits from merchandise sales. Are you allowed to have a merchandise booth at this venue? Does the venue take a percentage?
Manager’s Office
Do you need one? Does it need to have telephone and internet support?
Do you need one? Does it need to have telephone and internet support?
Security
Does the venue provide security or must you hire a company on your own?
Does the venue provide security or must you hire a company on your own?
Sound & Lights
Finally, you mustn’t forget about the sound and lights. Will you need to bring your own lighting / audio director and/or related equipment or does the venue have one in house?
Finally, you mustn’t forget about the sound and lights. Will you need to bring your own lighting / audio director and/or related equipment or does the venue have one in house?
At Merklands Events & PR we can support your needs in producing your live event and look after everything for you, so all you have to do is turn up. The above is just a quick aide memoire which expands every time you do a concert. So if in doubt, give us a call.
Calum McCallum, Managing Director, Merklands Events & PR
Twitter | @merklands Twitter | @calummccallum www.merklands.co.uk
Note – Merklands Events & PR is a multi-service consultancy organising events and managing public relations and engagement for our clients. Merklands organises everything from business-to-business conferences and exhibitions to product launches and gala events. Merklands have the right team on board to deliver your community, political or public engagement by using all forms of media to communicate and manage what you want to achieve.
Merklands Events & PR is a consultancy organising events and managing public relations for our clients. Merklands organises everything from business-to-business conferences and exhibitions to product launches and gala events. Merklands also advise businesses how best to use their resources and assist them to make the best out of their events and communications strategy for delivery. For more information on how we can help you please contact us.