How Concerts Are Booked and Promoted [Video]

There are many people who don't know how concerts get booked, but want to understand the process. Here's a simple explanation that will arm you with knowledge.

Here's how it works:

• A band decides to go on tour and sets a price for an appearance.
• Promoters or talent buyers negotiate that price based on past appearance results in other towns, tour routing and other concerns. They are in essence placing a bet that the band will yield similar or better results when they are booked to play again.

That's it. Seriously. But let's dig a little deeper.

What part do local radio stations play in the process?

Well first, if they are playing a song or songs from a band, the promoter knows he may get a better return on his money and that the band may even cut the promoter a break because they appreciate the radio station's support.

The radio station may also agree to give the promoter more support than they pay for and, in return, the radio station gets things like naming rights, free tickets, meet and greets and so on.

We in particular work so well with our promoter that we've taken over most of the concerts that used to be split equally between Lubbock, Midland and Amarillo. Even still, I think I need to reinforce the fact that in most cases, the radio station does not bring concerts. Rather, it influences which ones come and tries to make them a better deal for the fans.

Why hasn't your favorite band come to town yet?

Well, it's pretty simple. In most cases, a local promoter has worked the numbers and found the band to be a bad financial risk for the market. There are also bands that will only play a limited amount of dates.

The aforementioned routing does account for a lot too. Sometimes, bands just can't get to the more remote areas. So if your favorite band hasn't come to town, blame them. It isn't financially worthwhile for them, or they just haven't made the effort to come to town.

What this also means is that you should support the bands who have made the effort and made it worth everyone's worthwhile to put on a show.

Any questions? Leave them for me in the comments below.