Last updated: March 2026
Many musicians would give their right arm to perform music for a living and joining an agency is a good way for bands and solo acts to start getting more gigs, with bigger clients.
It is a live music agency’s job to provide entertainment for any event – from a small private dinner party to corporate product launch events with thousands of guests, nothing is too small or too large.
Naturally, the competition is fierce when it comes to joining an agency and they receive lots of emails every day from eager bands wishing to be listed.
Obviously it is not possible to hire everyone who gets in contact, so standing out is important.
What is an entertainment agency?
An entertainment agency is (as the name suggests!) a company that specialises in the provision of live entertainment for events.
Potential clients will go to an entertainment agent for advice on what sort of act might be best for the function they are planning and to help steam line any ideas they already have.
Once they have settled on the type of act they want, the agent will then (metaphorically or sometimes literally!) open the books, and show the potential client all of the entertainers they have available.
Entertainment agents deal with all sorts of acts, from fire breathers and impersonators to wedding bands and tributes.
Why would a musician want to sign with an entertainment agency?
In brief, an entertainment agent will hopefully be able to book you more regular paid gigs.
With their experience and contacts, it is also likely they will be able to book higher profile shows like corporate events, product launches or maybe even celebrity functions.
An agency will be constantly advertising to draw in more potential clients, meaning you have to worry less about promotion.
They may even single out your band to promote online via their social media or with physical promotional materials.
This does come at a price however, with some agencies taking a commission out of the musicians’ fee. Alternatively, other agencies (like the Last Minute Musicians Entertainment Agency) will add their commission on top of the musicians’ fee.
A good agent will also take care of all sorts of admin work, sorting out contracts and ensuring the musician gets paid on time, taking away a lot of the hassle involved in gigging.
Agencies often get bad press from musicians that don’t understand the benefits a good agent can offer. As well as offering great customer service and preparing paperwork, good agencies also provide a great promotional platform for bands to get noticed and enable them to maximise their workload, getting bigger and better paid gigs.
Adam Hughes, joint-founder of Last Minute Musicians
It’s important to treat any “exclusive deals” with a healthy amount of skepticism. While it’s relatively common place for agencies to require a unique name for your act while on their books, any that actively seek to prevent you signing with other agencies simultaneously will usually not be able to guarantee the amount of bookings needed to justify the move.
Generally, a “don’t ask, don’t tell” mantra is best for both sides when signing with multiple agencies.
How can bands stand out from the crowd when applying?
Have a great promotional pack
A musicians’ promo pack (or EPK) should never have its value underestimated. These are the materials that showcase a band at their best and if they do not entice a potential client to book the band for an event, then it’s safe to say that the promo pack – and the band – needs to be improved.
A good promo pack should include the following materials
- Quality demos and preferably video footage
- Up to date biography of the band
- Press pack with biographical materials on the band
- A selection of high-res photos
- Contact details
Spend some time on your USP
Entertainment agents love to see bands that have something different or special about them. This can be anything, but some kind of strong theme in the way you dress, perform or in your repertoire is definitely going to help you stand out.
Network, Network, Network
The majority of musicians will approach a variety of agencies of different sizes, and may get accepted on to one or more of them. In the mean time, whilst waiting for replies from agencies and emails from clients for gigs it is crucial that musicians network.
Musicians can network at trade fairs, wedding fairs, industry events, at gigs and online through social media. Indeed, this can be an excellent way to discover a new entertainment agent!
Tips for networking in the music industry
- Be yourself
- Cover all social media
- Go to gigs, talk to musicians and promoters
- Be professional
- Have relevant materials to hand (like business cards)
- Read more about networking for musicians
Don’t expect a reply too quickly
It’s important to remember that, like all businesses, live music agencies are going to be very busy and it is unlikely that musicians will receive a reply within 24 hours.
As a general rule, it is sensible to wait 5 working days and then chase up with an email or phone call. There are many stories of musicians getting their promo pack across in a loud and flashy manner.
Contrary to what musicians may think would catch the eye of a live music agency, the best and most effective way to get a promotional pack under the nose of a director at an agency is simply to email or post the relevant information over.
It is often argued that a hard copy promotional material is more inviting than an email. However, in both cases it is still vital that the material itself is of an extremely high quality.
What types of gigs can a music agency get you?
One of the biggest advantages of joining a live music agency is access to a wider variety of gig types than most musicians can find on their own. Agencies typically have established relationships with event planners, venues and corporate clients, meaning they can offer bookings for weddings, corporate events, product launches, charity galas, private parties, hotel and restaurant residencies, and festival stages.
For function bands in particular, agencies are often the primary route to higher-paying corporate and private event work. These gigs tend to pay significantly more than pub or bar work, but they also come with higher expectations around professionalism, punctuality and presentation. If your act is polished and reliable, an agency can open doors to a steady stream of well-paid bookings that would be difficult to access independently.
Some agencies also specialise in particular niches, so it is worth considering what type of work you are looking for. A solo saxophonist looking for corporate lounge bookings, for example, might benefit from a different agency than a five-piece party band targeting the wedding circuit.
What commission do music agencies charge?
Commission structures vary widely between agencies, and understanding them before you sign up is essential. The two most common models are percentage-based commission (where the agency takes a cut of the musician’s fee, typically between 10% and 25%) and markup-based commission (where the agency adds their fee on top of the musician’s asking price, so the musician receives their full quoted rate).
The markup model, used by agencies like Last Minute Musicians, is generally considered more musician-friendly because you always receive the fee you have set, regardless of how much the agency charges the client. With percentage-based models, your take-home pay is reduced, which can be frustrating if the agency has not negotiated a higher overall fee to compensate. For a broader look at what musicians earn and how to value your work, read our article on musicians’ wages and fair pay.
Always read the fine print. Some agencies also charge registration fees, annual listing fees or require you to purchase promotional materials. While not necessarily a dealbreaker, these costs should be weighed against the volume and quality of bookings you can realistically expect.
Red flags to watch out for
Unfortunately, not all agencies operate with musicians’ best interests at heart. Here are some warning signs to be aware of when evaluating a potential agency:
- Large upfront fees with no clear explanation of what they cover
- Guarantees of a specific number of bookings (no agency can promise this)
- Contracts that prevent you from working with other agencies or taking private bookings
- Poor communication or a lack of transparency about how fees and commissions work
- No visible online presence, client reviews or verifiable track record
- Pressure to sign quickly without giving you time to review the terms
A reputable agency will be upfront about their terms, happy to answer questions and will not pressure you into signing an exclusive contract unless they can genuinely deliver enough work to justify it.
How to prepare before approaching an agency
Before reaching out to any agency, make sure you are genuinely ready. First impressions matter, and agencies receive dozens of applications every week. Having the following in order will significantly improve your chances:
- Professional recordings and, ideally, live performance video. Agencies want to see and hear you at your best.
- A strong, varied repertoire. If you play covers, make sure your set list is well-rounded and current. Our analysis of the most popular cover songs from 2,500+ set lists is a useful reference.
- Reliable equipment, including PA, lighting and backline as appropriate for your act.
- Public liability insurance, which most agencies and venues will require.
- PAT-tested electrical equipment.
- A professional online presence, including an up-to-date website or social media profiles. Our guides to Instagram for musicians and Facebook for musicians cover this in detail.
- Appropriate transport for your gear and band members.
- Hearing protection for regular gigging.
The more professionally you present yourself from the outset, the more likely an agency is to take you seriously and put you forward for quality bookings. Remember that agencies are putting their own reputation on the line when they recommend you to clients.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a music agent to get gigs?
No, many musicians build successful careers without an agent. However, an agency can help you access higher-profile, better-paid work that is harder to find independently, particularly corporate events and private functions. A good middle ground is to combine agency work with your own direct bookings and a listing on a musician directory like Last Minute Musicians.
Can I be on multiple agencies at once?
In most cases, yes. Unless you have signed an exclusive contract, there is nothing stopping you from registering with several agencies simultaneously. In fact, this is common practice and a sensible way to maximise your exposure and booking opportunities. Just be sure to manage your diary carefully to avoid double-bookings.
How long before I start getting bookings through an agency?
This varies enormously depending on the agency, your act, the time of year and the demand for your type of entertainment. Some musicians receive enquiries within days, while others may wait weeks or months. Peak booking seasons (particularly the run-up to Christmas, New Year and the summer wedding season) tend to generate far more leads. Be patient, keep your profile up to date and continue marketing yourself independently in the meantime.
What about sound limiters at venues?
Many venues now use sound limiters to control noise levels, and agencies will often flag this when confirming a booking. It is important to be prepared for this, especially if you play amplified music. Having experience with sound-limited gigs and the right equipment to manage your volume is a real asset when working through an agency.
Alternatives to an entertainment agency
If bands are looking to generate more leads for regular paid gigs, but are worried about the sometimes hefty commission some agents can charge, it’s worth considering a listing with an entertainment directory, like Last Minute Musicians.
Bands pay a reasonable one-off fee for a set amount of time on the directory, and then get to keep 100% of all the money they make from gigs, so the listing cost can usually be covered after just one show.
Do you have any tips on joining an agency? Let us know in the comments below!
