Performance agreement template
A performance agreement books a band, musician or other act to perform at a venue or event. It sets out the date, times and set lengths, the fee or door split, what the booker provides, what the artist provides, recording, cancellation and liability. A booker or artist completes one for each gig, with the venue, date, fee, set times, cancellation scale and any rider changing every time.
Made by DocuWeave. Use at your own discretion.
What changes each time
24 values. Everything else is your wording, kept exactly.
The parties
- Date of the agreement
- Artist or band, signatory and contact
- Booker (promoter, venue or client) and contact
The performance
- Event
- Venue
- Date
- Arrival, load-in and soundcheck
- Set times
- Performers
- Booker's contact on the day
Fee and cancellation
- Flat fee or door split
- Deposit and balance
- Percentage of door takings and guaranteed minimum
- Expenses
- Merchandise commission
- Cancellation bands and amount payable
- Weeks for the final band
What each side provides
- PA and lighting, or power supply
- Refreshments provided
- Parking spaces
- Artist's public liability cover
- Days' notice if a rider item is missing
Rider
- Technical rider
- Hospitality rider
The rules it usually needs
Written in plain English when the template is set up.
- One of several wordings
“The artist is paid a flat fee, or a share of the door takings.”
When a door split is chosen, the booker gives a written statement of tickets sold and takings and pays on the night, with any guaranteed minimum.
- One of several wordings
“The booker provides the PA and lighting in the rider, or just power while the artist brings their own PA.”
When the artist brings a PA, the booker's duty is limited to the power supply described.
- Only when…
“Include a rider as a schedule if one is supplied.”
When the artist supplies a rider, the booker must say in good time if it cannot meet any item.
- Only when…
“Include a set list clause if the artist must provide one.”
When the artist gives a set list after the show, it can be used for music licensing returns.
- Only when…
“Include the statement that there is no 14-day right to cancel if the booker is a private individual who booked at a distance.”
When a couple book a wedding band by email, the agreement explains that the usual 14-day right does not apply to a service on a fixed date.
Questions people ask
What should a performance agreement include?
The date, venue, load-in and set times, the fee and when it is paid, what each side provides, insurance, recording and promotion, and what happens if either side cancels.
Who needs a music licence?
For public performances the venue or promoter normally holds the licences needed, often through PPL PRS. This agreement puts that default on the booker, but check what applies to your venue.
Is the artist an employee?
This agreement states that the artist is self-employed and responsible for their own tax and National Insurance. Whether that is correct depends on the facts of the arrangement.
Does a private client get a 14-day right to cancel?
There is an exception to the 14-day right for leisure services on a fixed date, which this agreement applies to performances. The booker can still cancel under the cancellation scale. The point has not been tested in the courts for wedding and party bands.
Can I use my own version instead?
Yes. Upload your own Word or PDF and DocuWeave turns it into a template in your wording, with the details that change each time ready to fill in.
Use this template
It opens in DocuWeave as a template you can check, change and publish. Nothing is used until you do.