Who Plays Where, When and Why: Explaining the Mysteries of Live Music Booking
A crowd watches Doomtree perform at First Avenue. (Nate Ryan/MPR) The process by which bands are booked into venues is, for the casual music fan, opaque. It may even be mystifying � especially if you just can�t understand why your favorite band is playing your least favorite venue. Booking, say local pros, is both a science and an art � and like the rest of the music industry, it�s built on relationships. �It�s basically the relationships between the buyer, who would be me,� says Tamsen Preston of Sue McLean & Associates, and booking agents, �who would be the representatives of the artists.� Most touring bands work with booking agents: people whose job it is to help the artists maximize their financial success on the road while also helping to ensure that the shows are accessible to fans in terms of ticket prices, location, and atmosphere. �We discuss different artists [that agents] represent, what they�re looking for coming through the market,� says Preston. �My job i...