My guitar player got this agent that asks if we are avaliable for certian dates. However, he wont tell us where tge venue is till we agree and accept!
Is this normal?
Is this normal?
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Question about Agents
- Thread starter Hevy T
- Start date
If the agent told you where the gig will be, wouldn't you call the place yourself and book the gig?
The agent learned from experience.
The agent learned from experience.
Yeah its probably that! Making sure you won't undercut him.
If you've got deal breakers (I won't play this venue, I won't play more than X miles away, I won't play after Xpm), then just let him know I guess.
Plus if you agree and sign and he reveals its a kids birthday party or something you can always pull out
If you've got deal breakers (I won't play this venue, I won't play more than X miles away, I won't play after Xpm), then just let him know I guess.
Plus if you agree and sign and he reveals its a kids birthday party or something you can always pull out
The guitarist/ manager (i guess) told the agent our avalibality based on our rythem players schedule only because he works out of town. Now im on holidays that week and now im expected to cut it short to play a gig where i dont know where it is, or how much im getting paid!Yeah its probably that! Making sure you won't undercut him.
If you've got deal breakers (I won't play this venue, I won't play more than X miles away, I won't play after Xpm), then just let him know I guess.
Plus if you agree and sign and he reveals its a kids birthday party or something you can always pull out
Cant say im too happy about that, especially we havnt practiced since mid may and wont be able to practice before the gig!
The town and the pay shouldn't be too much to ask. In any event you can't have a contract without conditions.
jive1
Commercial User
Every agent I worked with used a contract, and part of the contract is the location/venue. You can't agree to something that isn't specified. If you agree to do a gig in town XXXXX, you can do a gig at a gas station in that town and still fulfill the agreement. That's why these things need to be spelled out.
If the agent is worried that a band will steal a gig out from under them, then that agent doesn't have a very strong relationship with the venue. With some agent agreements, even if you book at the venue yourself, you're still obligated to give the agent a cut because of the referral. For example, it's not uncommon to have an agent book you at a place the first time, but still require you to pay a commission for subsequent bookings there whether the agent does the booking or not.
If the agent is worried that a band will steal a gig out from under them, then that agent doesn't have a very strong relationship with the venue. With some agent agreements, even if you book at the venue yourself, you're still obligated to give the agent a cut because of the referral. For example, it's not uncommon to have an agent book you at a place the first time, but still require you to pay a commission for subsequent bookings there whether the agent does the booking or not.
Strat Hater : jive1 has it right, IMO, regarding a perspective on agents. but it sounds like your real issue is internal (scheduling/calendar/protocols for gigging).
a good agent can be a tremendous value. good luck with your gig!
a good agent can be a tremendous value. good luck with your gig!
jdthebassman
play to live live to play
I would be careful most agents I have dealt with are sleeze look what happened to grand funk and countless others. I would insist on details if not walk away. remember agents don't have your interest in mind.
jive1
Commercial User
I smell something fishy.....
It's mainly because I've never had an agent not tell you where the gig would be before agreeing to it. You always get the big three - Where, When, and How Much.
OP, did you talk to the agent yourself?
Any possibility that the guitarist is trying to sneak in a gig that you guys otherwise wouldn't do?
It's mainly because I've never had an agent not tell you where the gig would be before agreeing to it. You always get the big three - Where, When, and How Much.
OP, did you talk to the agent yourself?
Any possibility that the guitarist is trying to sneak in a gig that you guys otherwise wouldn't do?
Every agent in any band I was in that used one, specified when and where the gig was and how much it paid. No way I'm agreeing to a gig to find out, after the fact, it's in the boondocks 100 miles away at some rowdy biker bar in the middle of nowhere! That's just dumb!
I've never had it happen with agents, but I've had bandleaders call me and ask if I'm available on a particular night. When I say yes, then the gig is invariably under some horrible set of conditions that the bandleader is embarrassed about, such as long travel, low pay, etc. I just make it a policy that I always ask for a particular list of details, so the bandleaders know what I expect. Also, it's not a commitment if I don't know the details, because I often have to juggle multiple events close together, such as day job and family activities.
we use an agent. we would never agree to a gig without knowing the who/where and $ first.
even as a band member, I never agree to a show until I know the particulars. I always say, "yes, I'm available, but where is the show and how much?"
so this agent is a bit of a jerk. Trying to get you guys to agree to sucky shows so that he can make his fee. So don't say yes until you get the specifics. if he doesn't like it, oh well, don't book with him. pretty simple
Time is money. You don't call an agent - or get into a discussion with one - if your band isn't gig ready. You're wasting his time and giving musicians more of a bad name than they already have. Or…he's not really much of an 'agent' if he's cold calling you without ever having heard and seen the band and dangling a gig in front of you.
I'll also do a +1 with @jive1. Any agent or BL worthy of the name will tell you who, what, where, and the amount of money when they call.
With a real pro booking agent it'll go something like: "Social date, dress is semiformal, mostly Great American Songbook and standards off lead sheets. No rehearsals. You'll be playing at ______, for three hours starting at 8:00pm on (date). You need to be there an hour early for setup and soundcheck. Takes about 45 minutes to get there from where you are. They're comping dinner - but NO drinking or smoking allowed. Pay is $___. Are you available?"
Must be a new agent trying to break in. Most places round here have a regular booking agent. We work with a couple different ones and it's very chill. Always know where and how much they are willing to pay and agent's cut before agreeing.
tip....keep a band google calendar so the guitar player always knows status of each member.
tip....keep a band google calendar so the guitar player always knows status of each member.
