Agent, Manager, Booker, Tour Manager: Who Does What?

In the entourage of an artist, the titles cross and merge. Yet, each one has a very specific role. Little guide to know who to talk to, and who to look for according to the stage of his career.

1. The Manager: the Career Strategy

The manager thinks long-term. He helps the artist make his choices: outings, images, partners, entourage. He coordinates the entire team and defends the artist's interests on a daily basis. He does not necessarily sell the concerts, but he decides with the artist where the career should go.

2. Agent: the concert seller

The agent walks through the theatres and festivals, proposes the artist and negotiates the conditions: stamp, date, stage, reception. He knows the programmers and knows when to approach them. For a festival, he is often the main contact person when signing.

3. Booker: one word, two senses

The booker is the one who picks up the dates: his role is close to that of agent. In the festival or the hall, the booker is the one who programs and reserves the artists. Before talking about business, always check on which side of the table is your booker.

4. The tourner: the producer of the tour

The tour operator goes further than selling dates: he produces the tour. He organizes the logistics, advances the costs and takes part in the financial risk. In France, he is often the employer of musicians and technicians during the tour. He works with agents, or does this work himself.

5. Other allies

The press secretary has the artist in the media. The label deals with recordings and their distribution. The publisher manages the rights of the songs. They do not sell the concerts, but their work makes programmers want to.

6. Who's looking first?

At first, the artist often does everything himself, with a Press kit When the dates are running, an agent or a tour operator takes over. When the career grows and decisions are made, the manager becomes indispensable. In any case: a written contract, clear roles, and people of trust.