Plain-English Deal Decoder
Flat Guarantee
You agree to play the date for a fixed amount. Ticket sales can affect whether the buyer wins or loses, but the artist fee is not supposed to move with attendance unless the contract says otherwise.
In the Real World
$1,500 means the artist business is owed $1,500 for the contracted performance, subject to the actual written terms.
Follow the Money
The is artist-business revenue, not automatic take-home pay. Agent commission, payroll, travel, lodging, production, tax, and other costs can still sit behind it.
Follow the Control
The contract should make payment timing, performance obligations, cancellation, production, hospitality, merch, and expectations clear.
Questions Worth Asking
- • When and how is the guarantee paid?
- • Are any expenses being deducted from the guarantee?
- • What happens if the show is canceled?
- • Are travel, lodging, backline, or hospitality separate from the fee?
Slow Down When You See
- • Undefined deductions
- • Payment tied to ticket sales even though the offer is described as guaranteed
- • Important production or travel obligations left verbal