thoughts on booking agents ?

[MYLILSS]

this isn't exactly rig oriented but it is music oriented. my band has been offered a chance to sign with M7 booking, and we have been thinking heavily on it. for the gigging musicians here, what are your thoughts on booking agents ? good idea or bad ? we have been considering this option for some help with exposure, while getting to keep our music ourselves. M7 would get 10% of payments for shows, which doesn't seem all that bad considering we get the rest as well as pocketing the cash from merch sales. obviously getting rich in todays industry isn't happening, but we were considering for the chance to check out some scenery and see the country and such.

this is the agency:

http://www.m7agency.com/

 

[LP Freak]

10% is standard and has been for years. I use a booking agent for my band for the sole purpose of getting into certain clubs where without them isn’t possible. Just make sure there’s not a clause in your contract where you have to use them exclusively.

 

[Racerxrated]

10% is standard and has been for years. I use a booking agent for my band for the sole purpose of getting into certain clubs where without them isn’t possible. Just make sure there’s not a clause in your contract where are you have to use them exclusively.

Years ago, back in the 90s it was more like 15% here in the upper midwest and you had to sign a contract that stated any gigs that are obtained AFTER signing the contract, even gigs you obtained on your own you still owed the agency the cut. Pretty shit deal, but many bands including mine signed just to get the full time work. We did have a regular monthly gig at a college bar that we had before the contract and they still tried to gouge us for the cut. It was a 2 yr deal so it was over pretty quick, and we still had the contacts to use at those clubs we played previously. Some clubs were "owned" by certain agencies so unless you were a part of that agency you didn't get in.
I think if you want the extra work and exposure it could be a good thing, but as LP said read your contract carefully. Don't get screwed.

 

[LP Freak]

10% is standard and has been for years. I use a booking agent for my band for the sole purpose of getting into certain clubs where without them isn’t possible. Just make sure there’s not a clause in your contract where are you have to use them exclusively.

Years ago, back in the 90s it was more like 15% here in the upper midwest and you had to sign a contract that stated any gigs that are obtained AFTER signing the contract, even gigs you obtained on your own you still owed the agency the cut. Pretty shit deal, but many bands including mine signed just to get the full time work. We did have a regular monthly gig at a college bar that we had before the contract and they still tried to gouge us for the cut. It was a 2 yr deal so it was over pretty quick, and we still had the contacts to use at those clubs we played previously. Some clubs were "owned" by certain agencies so unless you were a part of that agency you didn't get in.
I think if you want the extra work and exposure it could be a good thing, but as LP said read your contract carefully. Don't get screwed.

I have separate contracts for each gig.

 

[Racerxrated]

10% is standard and has been for years. I use a booking agent for my band for the sole purpose of getting into certain clubs where without them isn’t possible. Just make sure there’s not a clause in your contract where are you have to use them exclusively.

Years ago, back in the 90s it was more like 15% here in the upper midwest and you had to sign a contract that stated any gigs that are obtained AFTER signing the contract, even gigs you obtained on your own you still owed the agency the cut. Pretty shit deal, but many bands including mine signed just to get the full time work. We did have a regular monthly gig at a college bar that we had before the contract and they still tried to gouge us for the cut. It was a 2 yr deal so it was over pretty quick, and we still had the contacts to use at those clubs we played previously. Some clubs were "owned" by certain agencies so unless you were a part of that agency you didn't get in.
I think if you want the extra work and exposure it could be a good thing, but as LP said read your contract carefully. Don't get screwed.

I have separate contracts for each gig.

This was back in the day when you could tour around, from medium sized town to larger cities and play 5-7 nights with free rooms for 2-5K a week. After agency fee, gas and food we made like 4-600 per week apiece. When you're 23 it's fun for a while...but gets old quick.
Last time I used an agent was back in 2006-10 with a few Casino gigs, and 3 in Deadwood SD during the Rally. Good times for sure.

 

[japetus]

When in doubt, lawyer out. It is worth paying a lawyer to read of ANY AND ALL CONTRACTS you sign to have peace of mind. Better to be a penny wise than a pound foolish.