3rd Edition
The Live Music Business Management and Production of Concerts and Festivals
The Live Music Business: Management and Production of Concerts and Festivals, Third Edition, shines a light on the enigmatic live music business, offering a wealth of inside advice and trade secrets to artists and bands looking to make a living in the industry. Previously published as The Tour Book, this new edition has been extensively revised, reorganized, and updated to reflect today’s music industry.
This practical guidebook examines the roles of the key players – from booking agents to concert promoters, artist managers to talent buyers – and the deals, conventions, and processes that drive this global business. Written by a touring professional with over 25 years of experience, this book elucidates why playing live is crucial to the success of any musician, band, or artist, explaining issues like:
- what managers, promoters, and agents do and how they arrange shows and tours;
- how to understand and negotiate show contracts;
- how to create a contract rider, and how the rider affects the money you earn from a show;
- how to appear professional and knowledgeable in an industry with its own conventions, language, and baffling technical terms; and
- a three-year plan using live performance to kickstart your music career
Intended for music artists and students, The Live Music Business presents proven live-music career strategies, covering every aspect of putting on a live show, from rehearsing and soundchecks to promotions, marketing, and contracts. In an era when performing live is more essential than ever, this is the go-to guidebook for getting your show on the road and making a living from music.
Introduction / Part One: Live Music Management / 1. THE ARTISTS / 2. ARTIST MANAGEMENT / 3. BOOKING AGENTS / 4. CONCERT PROMOTERS / 5. CREATING THE DEALS / 6. THE CONTRACT / 7. THE CONTRACT RIDER / 8. REVENUE STREAMS FROM LIVE MUSIC – ARTISTS / 9. REVENUE STREAMS FROM LIVE MUSIC –PROMOTERS AND ORGANISERS / 10. MARKETING AND PROMOTION / 11. FESTIVALS / 12. STRATEGY / Part Two: Live Music Production / 13. PLANNING A TOUR / 14. BUDGET / 15. WAGES / 16. TRANSPORT / 17. ACCOMMODATION / 18. PRODUCTION / 19. OTHER PRODUCTION CONSIDERATIONS / Appendix 1: Concert Production Personnel / Appendix 2: A Performance Contract / Appendix 3: Contract Rider / Appendix 4: Tour Budget Sheet / Appendix 5: Day-to-Day Schedules
Biography
Andy Reynolds is a concert tour manager and audio engineer with more than 25 years of professional touring experience. He has worked for artists such as Maribou State, George FitzGerald, Maverick Sabre, The All-American Rejects, House of Pain, Super Furry Animals, Machine Head, and Pavement and has also worked supporting U2, Whitney Houston, and Foo Fighters. He also teaches live sound engineering and concert tour management at colleges and universities in the UK.
"Part business book, part career development plan, The Live Music Business is full of practical advice and information."
—Adam Moujahid, Artist Manager, 285 Group (Maribou State, George FitzGerald)
"I encourage anyone interested in getting into the live music business to read this book."
—Geoff Meall, Booking Agent, Paradigm Agency (Muse, My Chemical Romance, Sum 41, Super Furry Animals)
"The Live Music Business is a MUST READ for anyone wanting to enter the live industry. Andy Reynolds is one of very few qualified to give such an experienced and insightful description of such a complex industry."
—Ben Bushell, Course Leader, London College of Music
"There are few people who have combined industry experience with academic process. Andy is one of them. Any information he presents in a book should be taken seriously by students studying the live music business."
—Steve Melhuish, CEO, Music Business School
"Andy has years of experience of both working in the live music business and teaching. He has laid out his vast knowledge in a clear, concise way. Any student studying the wider music business should buy and read this book."
—Jamie Johnston, Label Owner, Physical Education Recordings
"The Live Music Business is an insightful new guide that simplifies and demystifies the business of concerts and music festivals. Read this book!"
—Danny Hagan, Senior Lecturer and Head of Subject: Music Technology, Music Management and Popular Music Performance, University of West London
