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Map 4: UK Live Performance


AGENT: Responsible for setting up all live performances on behalf of acts / artists who normally agree to work exclusively with agent. Commission is typically 15% of act / artist’s performance fee or percentage of ticket sales or some combination of both (which agent negotiates). Works directly with Promoter. PROMOTER: Co-ordinates venue(s), sound system, lights, security, tickets, posters, PR and advertising for live performances. Takes ALL income from ticket sales and pays all costs listed above including act’s fees (and agent’s percentage.) Promoter can and often does make a loss. VERY risky business. TOUR MANAGER: Usually employed by manager or agent, the TM is employed for live tours and is responsible for the act’s transport, accommodation, equipment, crew, punctuality, sobriety and general behaviour. A skilled organiser and negotiator, the TM is ultimately responsible for ensuring the act play and are happy. HEALTH AND SAFETY: Actually consisting of three different local council organisations (building control, the fire department and environmental health) collectively responsible for the safety of the general public when attending a concert. The promoter / venue management must satisfy each that all necessary standards have been met and precautions taken. This is often only confirmed on the day of the event. VENUE MANAG’T: Hire venue to promoter for concert. Venue must have all necessary licences (public performance, fire capacity, sale of alcohol, etc.). STAGE MANAGER/ PROMOTER’S REPRESENTATIVE: The promoter will always have a representative present at a concert. (If he / she is unable to attend in person.) Responsible for co-ordinating the sound system, lights, security, etc in the venue on the day / night of the event, the rep. will also meet the acts to identify dressing rooms, stage access and performance times. At larger shows a stage manager may also be necessary to oversee equipment changes between acts and ensure stage times. SOUND (PA) AND LIGHTS: The sound system or PA (public address) system is either hired from a PA hire company or is resident in the venue. Similarly a specialist lighting company may be hired or the venue may already be fitted with a lighting rig. All instruments play through the PA and the sound is mixed by the sound man who is usually situated at the back of the hall where a clear sound balance may be established. CREW / TECHNICIANS: Each act will normally have their own crew to set up and check their own equipment (amplifiers, guitars, drums - also referred to as ‘backline’). The PA and lighting companies will have their own crew to set up their equipment. In addition the promoter may hire additional crew to help load all the equipment into and out of the venue. ARTIST / CREW CATERING: On larger tours the acts / artists and the crew will have their own backstage caterers. The promoter will locate an appropriate area for them to set up (tables, cookers, etc.). The caterers will normally travel with the act or crew and will have been hired by the acts’ management. EMERGENCY SERVICES: At larger events the police will be present and a first aid point / ambulance station will be set up. This is particularly important in the case of festivals and other outdoor events which tend to attract large audiences.SECURITY / DOOR STAFF: Special security and door staff will be employed by the promoter to check tickets and maintain order at the doors and in the venue generally. These persons will normally have crowd control training and experience.MERCHANDISE: Stalls selling clothing and other act branded goods will often be set up and staffed by workers employed by the acts’ management.FOOD AND DRINK (PUBLIC): The venue will often have bars, cafes or even a restaurant in the building for the use of the public. These facilities are generally staffed and run by the venue management. TICKET AGENCY/ RETAIL OUTLET: Tickets for concerts will normally be available from the box office at the venue itself or from other retail outlets notably record shops. An agency or shop will normally charge a booking fee on the ticket price to cover costs.