Booking Live Shows – Booking Agency vs. DIY

Artists and DJs can spend countless hours honing their craft and creating a sound that defines the essence of who they are. Once their sound is ready and it’s time for a live audience, unfortunately, independent artists and DJs can hit a wall  booking shows. Artists can end up spending just as many hours hustling for shows as they do their craft.

This begs the question: Should an artist or DJ sign with a booking agency, or book shows themselves?

The Booking Agency

A booking agency gives artists the freedom from the headache of having to book their own shows. Artists and DJs do not have to endlessly research, email, call venues, and figure out who the talent buyer is; figure out who is a good promoter and who isn’t. A booking agency is an excellent resource for any artist trying to make a career. 

The hassle of an agency is finding one that can deliver on paid gigs that will not only promote but help the artist grow their craft. For example, a DJ or solo artist can play in small rooms like bars and pubs regularly, appearing like you’re booked consistently, and at first glance, it seems excellent, with paid gigs more frequently.

Downside of the Booking Agency

But for an artist or DJ looking to grow, this could be a revolving door of booked shows, plateauing at a level and never really going up to the more serious venues. Depending on the agency, how well-connected it is, and the relationships. Some could have you play the same kind of shows over and over again, with no real longevity or relationships. The downside is that it appears you’re getting regular work, but the work doesn’t make you last. The revolving door of regular gigs keeps you playing the same kind of pubs and clubs, with no way to break through the ceiling and establish yourself as a top entertainer. Agencies should not just get you gigs but also guide you on a journey to become an established artist.  On top of that revolving door, artists pay the agency 15% of what they make at each show (15% is the industry standard, not necessarily every artist’s contractual amount, and some artists may have to give up more or less to their agencies). 

Booking agencies are an excellent tool for taking your music to the next level and should be considered if you feel it’s the right option. They take the headache away of having to do it yourself, and help elevate your craft to bigger and better audiences. A booking agency’s primary goal is to get you booked. Still, it’s also A/R and artist development, taking an artist or DJ and molding the potential into the best possible version of what your career and artistry should be.

Booking Shows Yourself 

As an independent artist or DJ, booking your shows is not impossible, but it does give you a headache of doing everything an agency does, but doing it yourself while you’re also trying to develop your craft and garner a fanbase. 

You get to keep all the money, but contact talent buyers, and go on a vast research endeavor of venues that play music, and figure out if they would have you perform. It is not impossible; look at the Wipers, who did it before the internet and had access to an actual vinyl press to be able to PR and Machine Girl, the hardcore electronic duo from NY. The Wipers were the pioneers of DIY because they had access to a vinyl press and self-established themselves as opposed to any other rock band or artist at the time in the late 70s. Machine Girl broke out in 2013 and used the internet to make connections and promotions off their hardcore punk-inspired techno that allowed them to flourish in the DIY scene.

Booking your shows can be a hassle because, as an artist, depending on how far along you are in your career, you may not be taken seriously. It’s no secret that the music business can be gatekept and shady. The most famous example is Motown Records with Barry Gordy, who took advantage of young and up-and-coming artists, paying them little for their music and Barry making millions off impressionable new artists.

Booking-Agent.io

As an independent artist, if you don’t seem to know what you’re doing, they can hang up on you, not give you correct information, waste your time, and take advantage of you. Agencies have the reputation of a business to be able to get that information. 

Is there a way for artists and DJs to make it easier on themselves to book shows to elevate their careers? A new AI software called Booking-Agent.IO that launched this year is helping independent artists and DJs make booking shows even less work for themselves. 

Funktasy sat down with the founder, Ryan Abraham, of Booking-Agent.io and asked him about Booking-Agent.io.

How Does Booking-Agent.io’s Software Make It Easier to Book Live Shows?

“The standout feature of Booking-Agent.io is the ability to search by artist or band name and allows users to identify venues where similar artists—those in the same genre or with comparable fan bases—have previously played,” Abraham says. “From there, users can access direct contact information for the venue’s talent buyer, booking manager, or other key decision-makers.”

Abraham says Booking-Agent.IO, which helps find venues that align with your sound using its state-of-the-art AI software, so artists and DJs can work with the most up-to-date data on venue curation.

Do Artists Consistently Get Booked Using Your Software?

“Booking agents prioritize more established acts, leaving smaller, up-and-coming artists to fend for themselves,” Abraham says. “Booking-Agent.io bridges that gap by giving artists the same level of access to key venue contacts as a booking agent would. 

“Many artists using Booking-Agent.io have successfully leveraged [the software] to book multiple shows, expand into new markets, and build momentum in their live performance careers, whether it’s filling a last-minute slot in a neighboring city or planning a multi-city tour,” Abraham says.

Booking Shows Independently Has Become Easier in The Last 10-15 Years…

Artists are beginning to have more power than ever before, but you can’t deny that agency representation elevates your music and audience. How an artist or DJ chooses independence or agency representation depends on who they are as an artist.

Funktasy Booking Agency

Funktasy Booking Agency is a boutique agency specializing in connecting DJs and performers with venues worldwide. If you’re an active artist looking to take your live performances to the next level, explore the opportunities with Funktasy Booking Agency today!