Clear, step-by-step walkthroughs for every role and every common scenario — from setting up your
profile in 5 minutes to getting paid within 1 to 3 days of a gig.
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Step-by-step guides
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Feature guides
Last updated: 7 June 2026
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Choose a role for an end-to-end walkthrough, jump to a common scenario, or dive into a single feature. Everything stays on this page.
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For artists, bands & DJs
The complete artist guide
Set up once, then let venues and promoters come to you. Most artists are live and discoverable within 5 minutes.
Who it's for: Solo artists, bands, DJs and performers looking for paid gigs.
Step 1
Create your free profile & EPK
Sign up as an Artist and spend 5 minutes adding photos, a short bio, your genres and your home city. Your public profile doubles as an electronic press kit you can share anywhere — one link, always up to date.
Step 2
Set your genres & fee range
Pick your genres and set a fee range (for example £150 to £500) so venues filter you in, not out. Not sure what to charge? The free Rate Calculator and the GX Index of real UK fees give you a benchmark in under 2 minutes.
Step 3
Keep your availability current
Mark which dates you are free. Venues searching for a specific night see you first, and you avoid double-bookings across the next 12 months.
Step 4
Browse & apply to open gigs
Open the Gig Directory, filter by city and date, and apply to any gig that fits. Your application lands with the poster as a booking request — it takes about 1 minute per gig.
Step 5
Negotiate and agree
Message the venue or promoter and agree the fee. You can send up to 5 counter-offers, so nobody feels boxed in. Everything stays in one thread.
Step 6
Sign the contract & take a deposit
When you agree, GigXchange auto-generates a contract for both parties to sign. A deposit is then held securely via Stripe, so you are protected before the gig — typically 7 to 14 days out.
Step 7
Play the gig & get paid
After the show, mark the booking complete. The balance is released to your connected Stripe account, usually within 1 to 3 days. No invoices, no chasing.
Step 8
Build your reputation
Leave a 2-way review and collect ratings and followers. Standout members get a Member Spotlight feature that reaches thousands of venues across 100 UK cities.
For venues & spaces
The complete venue guide
Find the right act for any night — post a gig and let artists come to you, or book someone directly in minutes.
Who it's for: Pubs, clubs, bars, restaurants and event spaces that book live music.
Step 1
Create your venue profile
Sign up as a Venue and add photos, your capacity, location and the kind of acts you book. It takes about 5 minutes and is free.
Step 2
Post a gig
Post a gig with the date, a budget range, set length and the genres you want. It lists publicly in the Gig Directory, which is browsed by artists across 100 UK cities.
Step 3
Review applications side by side
Artists apply within hours. Compare their profiles, genres, fees and reviews in one place, then shortlist your favourites.
Step 4
Or book an artist directly
In a hurry? Skip the gig post entirely — search performers by genre and budget and send a direct booking offer straight from any profile.
Step 5
Agree terms & auto-generate the contract
Negotiate the fee in-thread, then generate a contract both sides sign digitally. No paperwork, no email chains.
Step 6
Secure it with a Stripe deposit
A deposit is held securely until the night, so both sides are committed. Funds are protected and released on completion.
Step 7
Run the night & turn it into an event
On the day, manage the details and mark the booking complete afterwards. You can also publish the booking as a public event with its own page and a ticket link in 2 minutes.
For booking agents
The complete agent guide
Run your whole roster from one place — book on behalf of your acts, track every date and keep your commission clean.
Who it's for: Booking agents representing one or more artists.
Step 1
Set up your agency profile
Create an Agent account in 5 minutes and add your agency details so venues and promoters know who they are dealing with.
Step 2
Build your roster
Link the artists you represent. Each act keeps its own profile, while you manage their bookings from one dashboard.
Step 3
Book on behalf of your acts
Send and respond to booking offers for any artist on your roster. Negotiate fees and set your commission per deal — all tracked automatically.
Step 4
Manage the calendar
See availability and confirmed dates across the whole roster, so you never offer the same night twice across 12 months of bookings.
Step 5
Contracts & payments
Every confirmed booking gets an auto-generated contract. Deposits and payouts run through Stripe, with funds released within 1 to 3 days of completion.
For promoters
The complete promoter guide
Build the whole bill — book the acts and the room, publish a ticketed event, and promote the night from one place.
Who it's for: Promoters putting on shows, club nights and festivals.
Step 1
Create your promoter profile
Sign up as a Promoter in about 5 minutes and add your details and past events so artists and venues trust the booking.
Step 2
Post gigs or find talent
Post open slots for your night, or search artists and venues directly by genre, city and budget.
Step 3
Book artists and venues
Send offers to line up the bill and secure the room. Negotiate, agree, sign and take deposits — the same protected flow for every party.
Step 4
Create & publish a ticketed event
Build an event, add a ticket link and publish. It instantly gets a public event page and lists in the public directory browsed across 100 UK cities.
Step 5
Promote the night
Share the event page, generate flyers and push it across social. Everything links back to one page that updates in real time.
Step 6
Settle up & review
Contracts, deposits and payouts run through Stripe. After the show, leave a 2-way review to build your track record.
Scenario · venues & promoters
How to book your first artist
From a cold search to a confirmed, paid-up booking — usually done in under 10 minutes of actual work.
Who it's for: Venues and promoters making their first booking.
Step 1
Search for the right act
Filter performers by genre, city and budget. Open a profile to see their music, photos, fee range and reviews.
Step 2
Send a booking offer
From their profile, send an offer with the date, fee, set length (say 90 minutes) and any requirements.
Step 3
Negotiate if needed
They can accept or counter. You have up to 5 counters between you to land on a fair fee.
Step 4
Both sign the contract
On agreement, an auto-generated contract appears for both parties to sign digitally.
Step 5
Pay the deposit
Secure the booking with a Stripe deposit held safely until the gig. The status moves to confirmed.
Step 6
After the gig, release payment
Mark the booking complete and the balance is released to the artist within 1 to 3 days. Leave a review.
Scenario · artists
How to land your first paid gig
A complete first run for artists — from a fresh profile to money in your account.
Who it's for: Artists chasing their first booking on the platform.
Step 1
Finish your profile
Add photos, genres, a fee range and your city. A complete profile in 5 minutes gets far more views.
Step 2
Open the gig directory
Filter open gigs by city and date. New gigs are posted daily across 100 UK cities.
Step 3
Apply
Hit Apply on gigs that fit. Each application takes about 1 minute and lands directly with the poster.
Step 4
Agree the terms
Message the poster, agree the fee, and sign the auto-generated contract.
Step 5
Play & get paid
After the gig, mark it complete. Your balance is released via Stripe, usually within 1 to 3 days.
Scenario · everyone
How a booking goes from offer to payout
Every booking moves through the same clear stages, so both sides always know what happens next.
Who it's for: Anyone who wants to understand the full booking lifecycle.
Step 1
Offer sent
One side sends an offer with the date, fee and details. The other can accept or counter.
Step 2
Negotiation
Up to 5 counter-offers let both parties settle on a fair fee without leaving the thread.
Step 3
Accepted & contract
On agreement, an auto-generated contract is signed by both sides.
Step 4
Deposit held
A Stripe deposit is held in escrow. Once paid, the booking is confirmed — usually 7 to 14 days before the date.
Step 5
Gig day
On the date the booking moves to in-progress. Both sides have everything they need in one place.
Step 6
Completed & released
After the show, both mark it complete and the balance is released to the performer within 1 to 3 days.
Scenario · promoters & venues
How to run a ticketed event with a public page
Publish an event in 2 minutes and get a public page plus a directory listing — automatically.
Who it's for: Promoters and venues putting a show in front of the public.
Step 1
Start from a booking or from scratch
Open a confirmed booking and hit Publish as Event, or create a brand-new event directly.
Step 2
Add the details
Set the title, date, venue and genres. Most of this pre-fills if you started from a booking.
Step 3
Add a ticket link
Drop in your ticketing URL so fans can buy. Leave it off for a free entry night.
Step 4
Publish
Publishing creates a public event page with its own web address in seconds.
Step 5
It lists itself
The event also appears in the public gig directory, seen across 100 UK cities — no extra step.
Step 6
Share & sell
Share the page, generate flyers and promote. The page stays live and updates in real time.
Scenario · artists & agents
How to work out what to charge
Stop guessing your fee. Benchmark against real UK data in under 2 minutes, then set it once.
Who it's for: Artists and agents pricing a gig.
Step 1
Open the rate calculator
Use the free Rate Calculator and enter your act type, location and duration in minutes.
Step 2
See a benchmark
You get a realistic fee range for that kind of booking — often anywhere from £150 to £800.
Step 3
Cross-check the GX Index
The GX Index tracks thousands of real observed UK fees across many cities, so you can sanity-check the number.
Step 4
Add the survey (optional)
Contribute an anonymous fee to the rates survey — it takes about 1 minute and improves the data for everyone.
Step 5
Set your profile fee
Put your fee range on your profile so venues self-select before they even message you.
Scenario · artists
How to get discovered & build trust
A few small moves make the difference between a quiet profile and a fully booked 12 months.
Who it's for: Artists who want more inbound interest.
Step 1
Complete every field
A 100-complete profile with photos, bio and genres ranks higher in search and earns more clicks.
Step 2
Pick accurate genres
Tag the genres you actually play so the right venues find you when they filter.
Step 3
Keep availability fresh
Update your open dates weekly. Venues booking a specific night see available acts first.
Step 4
Collect reviews
Every completed gig earns a 2-way review. A strong rating is the single biggest trust signal.
Step 5
Earn a spotlight
Active, well-reviewed members get a Member Spotlight feature that reaches thousands of venues.
Feature · all roles
Build your EPK & press kit
Turn your profile into a polished electronic press kit you can send to any booker — built in about 5 minutes, live at your own link.
Who it's for: Any member who wants a shareable, professional one-pager.
Step 1
Open the EPK builder
From your profile, open the EPK builder and pick one of 3 templates — clean, bold or minimal.
Step 2
Choose a format
Build it for A4, square or reel so it fits wherever you share it.
Step 3
Set your theme
Light, dark or gradient — save your theme so every press kit stays on-brand.
Step 4
Add your media
Pull in your best photos, audio and video showreel straight from your profile.
Step 5
Publish & share
Publish to a public page at gigxchange.app/epk/your-name and share one link anywhere. Edits go live in seconds.
Feature · artists
Setlists & your Song Bank
Build setlists in minutes from a master Song Bank, then publish or share them with bookers.
Who it's for: Solo artists, bands and DJs.
Step 1
Build your Song Bank
Import your songs from a spreadsheet — multi-sheet files are fine, and fuzzy matching de-dupes so the same track never lands twice.
Step 2
Create a setlist
Drag songs to reorder; the total set length adds up automatically, and a full set comes together in 5 minutes.
Step 3
Make a poster
Turn any setlist into a poster — 4 designs, 3 formats — with an optional QR code and your logo.
Step 4
Export or share
Download a PNG or print-ready PDF, or share a public link anyone can open without signing up.
Step 5
Publish to your profile
Flip a setlist public so bookers see exactly what you play before they message you.
Feature · promo kit
Promo Kit: flyers & posters
Make gig flyers, tour posters and setlist posters that look designed — in about 2 minutes, with no design tools.
Who it's for: Artists, promoters and venues promoting a show.
Step 1
Open the Promo Kit
Find gig flyers, tour posters and setlist posters all in one place.
Step 2
Pick a template
Gig flyers come in 15 styles — 5 designs across square, tall and story formats.
Step 3
Make it yours
Change the accent colour, font, text colour and background image in a couple of minutes.
Step 4
Auto-build a tour poster
Pull your upcoming gigs straight into a tour poster with every date and venue.
Step 5
Export & post
Download a share-ready image and post it across your socials.
Feature · artists & agents
Manage your availability
Keep your calendar current so bookers find you for the right dates — and never double-book across 12 months.
Who it's for: Artists, bands and agents.
Step 1
Mark your calendar
Drag across the month to set days as available, on hold or booked.
Step 2
Set weekly rules
Add repeating patterns — say free Friday to Sunday evenings — so you are not updating it every week.
Step 3
Sync external calendars
Connect iCal, Google, Outlook or Bandsintown so your existing dates block out automatically.
Step 4
Share your availability
Send your open dates to a venue or agent — they can view them without signing up.
Step 5
Export a feed
Share an iCal link so your dates show up wherever you need them.
Feature · venues & promoters
Get matched with Smart Match
Tell us the brief and let the platform surface the right artists or venues in under 2 minutes.
Who it's for: Venues, promoters and artists who want a fast fit.
Step 1
Start the wizard
Open Smart Match from your dashboard.
Step 2
Set the date
Pick the night you are booking for.
Step 3
Add the brief
Choose genre, gear (PA and lights) and a fee range.
Step 4
See your matches
Get a shortlist of available acts (or venues) that fit, ranked by relevance — usually in under 2 minutes.
Step 5
Reach out
Message or send a booking offer straight from a match.
Feature · everyone
Messaging & negotiation
Everything — chat, offers, availability and files — lives in one thread, online or off.
Who it's for: Everyone on the platform.
Step 1
Start a conversation
Message any member from their profile or from a booking.
Step 2
Send a booking offer
Drop an offer card into the chat — fee, deposit, gear, date — and tap to accept, counter or decline.
Step 3
Share availability
Send your open dates as a card the other side can view without signing up.
Step 4
Attach files
Send riders, stage plots or contracts as attachments.
Step 5
Work offline
Messages queue when you lose signal backstage and send themselves within 1 minute of you reconnecting.
Feature · all roles
Track your performance
See what is working — views, followers, response rate and earnings — and how you compare to the rest of the platform.
Who it's for: Any member who wants to grow.
Step 1
Open Insights
Find your role-specific dashboard.
Step 2
Watch your reach
See profile views over the last 30 days alongside your follower trend.
Step 3
Check your response rate
A fast reply rate is a top trust signal — the gauge shows where you stand.
Step 4
Track earnings
Follow your earnings (or spend) trend, including seasonal peaks across 12 months.
Step 5
Benchmark yourself
Compare your numbers to the platform average and close the gaps.
Feature · everyone
Get the app
GigXchange installs on your phone like a native app and keeps working backstage with no signal.
Who it's for: Everyone — iPhone, Android and desktop.
Step 1
Add to home screen
Open the site on your phone and choose Add to Home Screen — it installs in seconds.
Step 2
Work offline
Messages and actions queue with no signal and sync the moment you are back online.
Step 3
Turn on notifications
Get alerts for new messages, offers and booking updates.
Step 4
One login everywhere
The same account works across phone, tablet and desktop.
Feature · new members
Your first-run setup
A guided wizard gets you live in about 5 minutes — the details here are what make bookers choose you.
Who it's for: Brand-new members.
Step 1
Pick your role
Artist, venue, agent or promoter — the wizard tailors every step to you.
Step 2
Add the basics
Display name, city and a short bio.
Step 3
Add a photo
A clear avatar earns far more clicks.
Step 4
Set genres & rates
Tag your genres and set a fee range, for example £150 to £500.
Step 5
Finish & explore
You are live in about 5 minutes — head to Explore or post your first gig.
Feature · artists & venues
Grow your audience
Turn one-off bookings into a following with fans, reviews and editorial features.
Who it's for: Artists and venues building a name.
Step 1
Collect fans
Share your fan signup link so people can follow you and join your mailing list.
Step 2
Bank your reviews
Every completed gig earns a 2-way review within 3 days; a strong rating wins the next booking.
Step 3
Apply for a Spotlight
Submit for a Member Spotlight editorial feature that reaches thousands of venues.
Step 4
Keep your profile fresh
Update photos and dates so you stay near the top of search.
User Guides FAQ
Quick answers to the questions new members ask most.
Yes. GigXchange is in open alpha and free for all 4 user types — artists, venues, agents and promoters. Create a profile, post gigs, apply and message at no cost.
Venues, promoters and agents post gigs; artists apply to them. Posting takes about 2 minutes and lists publicly in the UK gig directory across 100 UK cities.
Payments run through Stripe. A deposit is held securely when a booking is confirmed, and the balance is released to the performer within 1 to 3 days of the gig — see the full flow in how it works. GOV.UK covers invoicing and taking payment for self-employed performers.
A gig is an open listing looking for a performer — browse them in the gig directory. A booking is the agreed deal between two parties. An event is a public-facing listing with its own page that anyone can see.
Yes. Search performers on the profiles directory by genre and budget and send a direct booking offer from any profile — no gig post required, about 2 minutes.
Connect Stripe once, then mark each gig complete after you play — your balance is released within 1 to 3 days. Gigging income is self-employed earnings; GOV.UK explains working for yourself. More in the artist guide.
Open the confirmed booking and hit Publish as Event. In about 2 minutes it gets a public event page with its own web address and lists in the public directory.
Use the free Rate Calculator for a benchmark in under 2 minutes, then cross-check the GX Index of thousands of real observed UK fees across many cities. The Musicians’ Union also publishes recommended minimum rates.
Most members create a working profile in about 5 minutes. Adding photos, genres and a fee range is what gets you discovered — the artist guide has the full checklist.
Yes. Every confirmed booking gets an auto-generated contract both sides sign digitally, and the deposit is held via Stripe until the gig. You can also try the standalone contract generator for off-platform gigs.
