Agent, manager, tour manager
Booking agent vs manager
Who sells the gigs, who runs the career, who runs the road.
Booking agent vs artist manager vs tour manager in UK live music: what each one does, how each is paid, and which an artist needs first.
Updated 23 October 2026
01 — Booking agent vs manager
Agent or Manager?
GIGXCHANGE is where UK artists and booking agents book live gigs direct. A booking agent sells an artist’s live shows - finds the gigs, negotiates the fee and issues the contract - for a commission on each booking, typically 15–20%, some up to 25%. A manager runs the wider career. On GigXchange, 982 artists and the agents who represent them book 70 venues across 79 cities, with a contract on every gig.
In the UK the words get used loosely. A band calls the friend who books their gigs their manager, a manager quietly takes a cut of the gigs too, and a booker is never quite sure who to send the contract to.
The roles are different, and so is the money. An agent sells dates and is paid per booking. A manager shapes the career - releases, team, money - and is paid a share of income. A tour manager runs the road once the dates are sold. Knowing which one you need first saves a band from paying two people for the same job.
On GigXchange the live side is clear by design: an agent account books on the artist’s behalf, every gig carries one contract with one fee, and the agent’s rate is agreed once per artist - so nobody is paid twice for the same date.
| 02Who does whatAgent, manager, tour manager, promoter | |
| 03Agent commissionWhat acts earn, and what an agent takes | |
| 04Venues booking live actsThe venues in our directory | |
| 05Members across the UKThe acts and rooms near you | |
| 06Which do you need first?It depends where the career is. | |
| 07Choosing the right agentWhat to check before you sign, so the deal works for the act and the agent. | |
| 08Free tools for agentsFree with an agent account. | |
| 10QuestionsWhat artists ask about agents and managers | |
| 11Keep exploringThe other guides and the longer reads |
02 — The roles
5 stepsWho does what
| Step 01Booking agentSells the live shows: finds gigs, negotiates fees, issues contracts. Paid a commission per booking, typically 15–20%, some up to 25%. | |
| Step 02Artist managerRuns the career: releases, team, finances, strategy - and often hires the agent. Paid a share of the artist’s income, set in the management contract. | |
| Step 03Tour managerRuns the tour once it is booked: travel, schedules, settling up each night. Usually paid a fee for the tour. | |
| Step 04PromoterPuts on the show: books the room and the acts, sells the tickets and carries the risk. | |
| Step 05The artistCan book direct on GigXchange at any stage, with a contract on every gig. GigXchange takes 0% of the artist's booking fee. | |
| Watch forOne person, two jobsIf your manager also books your gigs, agree in writing whether they take one cut or two on each booking. |
03 — Agent commission
LiveThe price ladder
How is a booking agent paid compared with a manager? An agent takes a commission on each gig - typically 15–20%, some up to 25% in the UK. At 20%, that is £200 of a typical wedding fee for a 3 to 4 piece band (£1,000 (1,615 fees) on the live GX Index). A manager takes an agreed share of the artist’s wider income instead.
GX Index UK medians, live - the gig fees an agent’s commission comes from. Typical UK agency commission: 15–20%, some up to 25%.
- Pub or bar, solo £250 median · 370 observationsThe MU publishes no solo figure
- Pub or bar, 3 to 4 piece £350 median · 275 observationsMU minimum £501.48 · for 3 players; 4 players: £668.64
- Wedding, 3 to 4 piece £1,000 median · 1,615 observationsMU minimum £668.64 · for 3 players; 4 players: £891.52
- Wedding, 5 piece or more £1,489 median · 427 observationsMU minimum £1,114.40
The fee is the act’s; an agent’s commission comes out of it. GigXchange takes 0% of the artist's booking fee.
| GuideHow agents structure commissionFlat, percentage, gross and net. | |
| ToolRate calculatorA fair fee for your night. | |
| DataGX IndexEvery UK fee table, open data. |
04 — On GigXchange
70 venuesVenues booking live acts
70 venues book their live music direct on GigXchange - the gigs an agent sells and an artist plays. Each venue lists what it books and posts its open dates; message the booker, agree the fee and sign the contract in one place. GigXchange takes 0% of the artist's booking fee. Who books the gigs on GigXchange? The artist directly, or their booking agent on the artist’s behalf - the venue sees one profile and signs one contract either way.
05 — Members across the UK
Tap a cityWhere manager play
Scroll to zoom (hold Ctrl / two fingers)· tap a layer to switch · click a pin for details, a cluster for its area.
Booking in a city? London · Birmingham · Leeds · Glasgow · Sheffield · Manchester · Bradford · Edinburgh · Liverpool · Bristol · Leicester · Cardiff · every city guide
06 — Who first
Who first?
| Starting outNeither - book direct, build the diary and the reviews. | |
| A full diary, wanting better-paid workA booking agent, for weddings, corporate and bigger rooms. | |
| Releases, a team and growing incomeA manager, who often brings the agent with them. | |
| Ready to tourAn agent books the run of dates; a tour manager runs them on the road. |
07 — Choosing the agent
Before you sign
| Know what each costsAgent: commission per gig, typically 15–20%, some up to 25%. Manager: a share of income set in the contract. | |
| Avoid paying twiceIf a manager also books gigs, agree whether both take a cut of the same booking. | |
| Check the regulatorUK booking agents work under the 2003 Conduct Regulations. | |
| Keep every gig in writingWhoever books it, the gig gets its own contract. |
| Employment Agency Standards InspectorateEnforces the rules UK agencies work under | |
| The Conduct of Employment Agencies Regulations 2003The regulations themselves | |
| Musicians' UnionNational gig rates | |
| The Agents' AssociationThe UK trade body for entertainment agents |
08 — Free tools
6 toolsFor agents
| ContractsBooking ContractsUK-compliant and e-signed, on every booking | |
| MoneyInvoice GeneratorSynced to your bookings, paid faster | |
| Press kitEPK BuilderA press kit that updates itself | |
| BookingsAvailability + Booking ManagerLive availability on your own website | |
| PromotionTour PosterBuilt from your upcoming gigs in 1 click | |
| DiscoveryFind an ArtistRanked acts for your dates |
See it in action
A look inside GigXchange Mainstage — the members app where artists, venues, agents and promoters manage bookings, messaging, events and payments. Scroll: the phone follows you through the app.
- 01 / 04
Your dashboard
The moment you log in, everything that matters is in front of you — what's booked, what you've earned, and what needs you next. No digging through tabs.
- Bookings at a glanceConfirmed, pending and upcoming gigs in one view — so nothing slips through the cracks.
- Earnings, trackedSee deposits held securely and payouts released, with a running total you can trust.
- Live activity feedNew messages, offers and event updates surface the second they happen — you're never the last to know.
- 02 / 04
Explore the scene
Find the right artists, venues and open gigs across the UK from one place — filtered by what actually matters to you: location, genre, date and budget.
- Search that fits youFilter by role, city, genre and availability to surface only the people and gigs worth your time.
- Smart Match suggestionsThe strongest matches rise to the top, so the right connection finds you — not just the loudest.
- Open gigs, liveBrowse gigs that need filling and apply in a tap — no cold outreach, no gatekeepers.
- 03 / 04
Bookings, end to end
Offer, negotiate and confirm a gig in a single thread — every date, fee and deposit agreed in one place and held to.
- One thread, start to finishThe whole deal lives in one conversation — no lost emails, no he-said-she-said.
- Negotiate with clarityCounter-offers, dates and fees are structured and tracked, so both sides always know where they stand.
- Held securelyThe deposit is held safely until the gig is done — performers get paid, bookers get peace of mind.
- 04 / 04
Messaging
Agree the details before you commit. Direct, real-time conversations with venues, artists, agents and promoters — with bookings built right in.
- Talk first, book secondSort the awkward questions — sound, timings, fee — before anything's signed.
- Bookings inside the chatTurn a conversation into a confirmed offer without ever leaving the thread.
- Share availability & filesSend your calendar, riders and posters in-line, so everyone's working from the same page.
- 01 / 04
Your dashboard
The moment you log in, everything that matters is in front of you — what's booked, what you've earned, and what needs you next. No digging through tabs.
- Bookings at a glanceConfirmed, pending and upcoming gigs in one view — so nothing slips through the cracks.
- Earnings, trackedSee deposits held securely and payouts released, with a running total you can trust.
- Live activity feedNew messages, offers and event updates surface the second they happen — you're never the last to know.
- 02 / 04
Explore the scene
Find the right artists, venues and open gigs across the UK from one place — filtered by what actually matters to you: location, genre, date and budget.
- Search that fits youFilter by role, city, genre and availability to surface only the people and gigs worth your time.
- Smart Match suggestionsThe strongest matches rise to the top, so the right connection finds you — not just the loudest.
- Open gigs, liveBrowse gigs that need filling and apply in a tap — no cold outreach, no gatekeepers.
- 03 / 04
Bookings, end to end
Offer, negotiate and confirm a gig in a single thread — every date, fee and deposit agreed in one place and held to.
- One thread, start to finishThe whole deal lives in one conversation — no lost emails, no he-said-she-said.
- Negotiate with clarityCounter-offers, dates and fees are structured and tracked, so both sides always know where they stand.
- Held securelyThe deposit is held safely until the gig is done — performers get paid, bookers get peace of mind.
- 04 / 04
Messaging
Agree the details before you commit. Direct, real-time conversations with venues, artists, agents and promoters — with bookings built right in.
- Talk first, book secondSort the awkward questions — sound, timings, fee — before anything's signed.
- Bookings inside the chatTurn a conversation into a confirmed offer without ever leaving the thread.
- Share availability & filesSend your calendar, riders and posters in-line, so everyone's working from the same page.
10 — Questions7 answersBooking agent vs manager FAQ
11 — Keep exploring
Go deeper
| Booking Agents for BandsWhat agents charge and how bands get one. | |
| Booking Agents for DJsWhat DJ agents take and how to get one. | |
| Booking Agents for SingersHow singers get an agent, and what it costs. | |
| Booking Agents for Tribute ActsTribute agencies, commission, getting signed. | |
| How Much Do Booking Agents MakeCommission per booking, on live fees. | |
| Booking Agent AgreementThe clauses to check before you sign. | |
| How to Become a Booking AgentStart an agency and run a roster. | |
| The booking agent’s roleIs an agent worth it? | |
| Managing a rosterFrom 3 acts to 30. | |
| All the agent guidesEvery agent page in one place. | |
| Commission modelsFlat, percentage, gross and net. | |
| GigXchange for agentsEverything an agent account does. |
| The booking fee | |
| Gig rate calculator | |
| GX Gig Rescue |
Run the roster direct
Join free - contracts, invoices and commission tracking built in.
Booking agent vs manager
Booking agent vs artist manager vs tour manager in UK live music: what each one does, how each is paid, and which an artist needs first.
Last updated: 23 October 2026
Agent or Manager?
GIGXCHANGE is where UK artists and booking agents book live gigs direct. A booking agent sells an artist’s live shows - finds the gigs, negotiates the fee and issues the contract - for a commission on each booking, typically 15–20%, some up to 25%. A manager runs the wider career. On GigXchange, 982 artists and the agents who represent them book 70 venues across 79 cities, with a contract on every gig.
In the UK the words get used loosely. A band calls the friend who books their gigs their manager, a manager quietly takes a cut of the gigs too, and a booker is never quite sure who to send the contract to.
The roles are different, and so is the money. An agent sells dates and is paid per booking. A manager shapes the career - releases, team, money - and is paid a share of income. A tour manager runs the road once the dates are sold. Knowing which one you need first saves a band from paying two people for the same job.
On GigXchange the live side is clear by design: an agent account books on the artist’s behalf, every gig carries one contract with one fee, and the agent’s rate is agreed once per artist - so nobody is paid twice for the same date.
Who does what
The people around an artist’s live career - what each one does and how each is paid.
Booking agent
Sells the live shows: finds gigs, negotiates fees, issues contracts. Paid a commission per booking, typically 15–20%, some up to 25%.
Artist manager
Runs the career: releases, team, finances, strategy - and often hires the agent. Paid a share of the artist’s income, set in the management contract.
Tour manager
Runs the tour once it is booked: travel, schedules, settling up each night. Usually paid a fee for the tour.
Promoter
Puts on the show: books the room and the acts, sells the tickets and carries the risk.
The artist
Can book direct on GigXchange at any stage, with a contract on every gig. GigXchange takes 0% of the artist's booking fee.
One person, two jobs
If your manager also books your gigs, agree in writing whether they take one cut or two on each booking.
Agent commission, live
GX Index UK medians, live - the gig fees an agent’s commission comes from. Typical UK agency commission: 15–20%, some up to 25%.
How is a booking agent paid compared with a manager? An agent takes a commission on each gig - typically 15–20%, some up to 25% in the UK. At 20%, that is £200 of a typical wedding fee for a 3 to 4 piece band (£1,000 (1,615 fees) on the live GX Index). A manager takes an agreed share of the artist’s wider income instead.
- Pub or bar, solo £250 median · 370 observationsThe MU publishes no solo figure
- Pub or bar, 3 to 4 piece £350 median · 275 observationsMU minimum £501.48 · for 3 players; 4 players: £668.64
- Wedding, 3 to 4 piece £1,000 median · 1,615 observationsMU minimum £668.64 · for 3 players; 4 players: £891.52
- Wedding, 5 piece or more £1,489 median · 427 observationsMU minimum £1,114.40
The fee is the act’s; an agent’s commission comes out of it. GigXchange takes 0% of the artist's booking fee. How agents structure commission · Work out a fair fee · Every GX Index fee table · The Musicians’ Union national gig rates
Venues booking live acts
70 venues book their live music direct on GigXchange - the gigs an agent sells and an artist plays. Each venue lists what it books and posts its open dates; message the booker, agree the fee and sign the contract in one place. GigXchange takes 0% of the artist's booking fee. Who books the gigs on GigXchange? The artist directly, or their booking agent on the artist’s behalf - the venue sees one profile and signs one contract either way.
Browse the UK venue directory · What an agent account does · Join as an agent
Members across the UK
Artists, venues, agents and promoters on GigXchange, by city - where manager play and get booked.
Scroll to zoom (hold Ctrl / two fingers)· tap a layer to switch · click a pin for details, a cluster for its area.
Booking live music in a city? London · Birmingham · Leeds · Glasgow · Sheffield · Manchester · Bradford · Edinburgh · Liverpool · Bristol · Leicester · Cardiff · every city guide
Which do you need first?
It depends where the career is.
Starting out
Neither - book direct, build the diary and the reviews.
A full diary, wanting better-paid work
A booking agent, for weddings, corporate and bigger rooms.
Releases, a team and growing income
A manager, who often brings the agent with them.
Ready to tour
An agent books the run of dates; a tour manager runs them on the road.
Choosing the right agent
What to check before you sign, so the deal works for the act and the agent.
Who regulates and advises: Employment Agency Standards Inspectorate · The Conduct of Employment Agencies Regulations 2003 · Musicians' Union · The Agents' Association
Free tools for agents
Free with an agent account.
Booking Contracts
Every GigXchange booking auto-generates a UK-compliant performance contract — 8 standard clauses, deposit terms, dual e-signatures, instant PDF.
Invoice Generator
Create polished invoices in seconds and get paid faster — synced to your bookings, numbered and dated automatically.
EPK Builder
Build an electronic press kit from your profile — 18 blocks to arrange, live players, verified reviews — published at one always-current link.
Availability + Booking Manager
Mark the dates you can play, then embed the widget on your own website so visitors see live availability and book you direct.
Tour Poster
Auto-build a live tour page from your upcoming gigs in 1 click — 7 designs, ticket links, embeddable on your own site.
Find an Artist
Pick the empty date, set a 60-second brief, and invite up to 5 ranked best-fit acts — fit scores, fee bands and kit tags attached.
See it in action
A look inside GigXchange Mainstage, the members app agents run a roster in: find the venues, agree the date and fee in the chat, track every booking and commission. Scroll: the phone follows you through the app.
- 01 / 04
Your dashboard
The moment you log in, everything that matters is in front of you — what's booked, what you've earned, and what needs you next. No digging through tabs.
- Bookings at a glanceConfirmed, pending and upcoming gigs in one view — so nothing slips through the cracks.
- Earnings, trackedSee deposits held securely and payouts released, with a running total you can trust.
- Live activity feedNew messages, offers and event updates surface the second they happen — you're never the last to know.
- 02 / 04
Explore the scene
Find the right artists, venues and open gigs across the UK from one place — filtered by what actually matters to you: location, genre, date and budget.
- Search that fits youFilter by role, city, genre and availability to surface only the people and gigs worth your time.
- Smart Match suggestionsThe strongest matches rise to the top, so the right connection finds you — not just the loudest.
- Open gigs, liveBrowse gigs that need filling and apply in a tap — no cold outreach, no gatekeepers.
- 03 / 04
Bookings, end to end
Offer, negotiate and confirm a gig in a single thread — every date, fee and deposit agreed in one place and held to.
- One thread, start to finishThe whole deal lives in one conversation — no lost emails, no he-said-she-said.
- Negotiate with clarityCounter-offers, dates and fees are structured and tracked, so both sides always know where they stand.
- Held securelyThe deposit is held safely until the gig is done — performers get paid, bookers get peace of mind.
- 04 / 04
Messaging
Agree the details before you commit. Direct, real-time conversations with venues, artists, agents and promoters — with bookings built right in.
- Talk first, book secondSort the awkward questions — sound, timings, fee — before anything's signed.
- Bookings inside the chatTurn a conversation into a confirmed offer without ever leaving the thread.
- Share availability & filesSend your calendar, riders and posters in-line, so everyone's working from the same page.
- 01 / 04
Your dashboard
The moment you log in, everything that matters is in front of you — what's booked, what you've earned, and what needs you next. No digging through tabs.
- Bookings at a glanceConfirmed, pending and upcoming gigs in one view — so nothing slips through the cracks.
- Earnings, trackedSee deposits held securely and payouts released, with a running total you can trust.
- Live activity feedNew messages, offers and event updates surface the second they happen — you're never the last to know.
- 02 / 04
Explore the scene
Find the right artists, venues and open gigs across the UK from one place — filtered by what actually matters to you: location, genre, date and budget.
- Search that fits youFilter by role, city, genre and availability to surface only the people and gigs worth your time.
- Smart Match suggestionsThe strongest matches rise to the top, so the right connection finds you — not just the loudest.
- Open gigs, liveBrowse gigs that need filling and apply in a tap — no cold outreach, no gatekeepers.
- 03 / 04
Bookings, end to end
Offer, negotiate and confirm a gig in a single thread — every date, fee and deposit agreed in one place and held to.
- One thread, start to finishThe whole deal lives in one conversation — no lost emails, no he-said-she-said.
- Negotiate with clarityCounter-offers, dates and fees are structured and tracked, so both sides always know where they stand.
- Held securelyThe deposit is held safely until the gig is done — performers get paid, bookers get peace of mind.
- 04 / 04
Messaging
Agree the details before you commit. Direct, real-time conversations with venues, artists, agents and promoters — with bookings built right in.
- Talk first, book secondSort the awkward questions — sound, timings, fee — before anything's signed.
- Bookings inside the chatTurn a conversation into a confirmed offer without ever leaving the thread.
- Share availability & filesSend your calendar, riders and posters in-line, so everyone's working from the same page.
Booking agent vs manager FAQ
What artists ask about agents and managers.
More answers: The booking fee · Gig rate calculator · GX Gig Rescue
Your roster, booked
Join free, add your acts and pitch venues direct.