The Lingo
Sheet

HoldH · 1H

Your place in line on a date for a potential booking, sometimes shown as just (H). You must challenge the date to gain control of it (1H = first hold). It's your way of seeing what's open on a venue's calendar. If you challenge a date, intend to keep it.

Challenge

An ask for the promoter to move you to the front of the holds list to confirm a date. The promoter reaches out to everyone holding above you to see if they'll release. A typical challenge takes 24–48 hours.

Offer

The initial commitment of compensation for the event. Remember — this is negotiable.

Mutually AgreeableMA

A presentation of terms without a specific date in mind.

Door / Percentage Deal% OF TICKET SALES

You take a percentage of ticket sales from dollar one. GBOR = tickets sold × price. NBOR = the same, minus venue/facility fees.

GuaranteeFLAT FEE

A flat fee for a performance of a certain length.

Guarantee + BonusFLAT FEE + BENCHMARK

A flat fee for a set length, plus a bonus when you hit an agreed benchmark — e.g. a $500 bonus at sell-out.

Net DealGUARANTEE + UPSIDE

A guarantee plus a cut of profits once the venue is covered. Expenses should be agreed ahead of time. Example: $2,000 vs. 90% of GBOR after all fees, taxes, and expenses.

"Walk-out potential" is the most you'd leave with if the night goes perfectly. Run the math before you say yes.

Advance

Working through the details of the show before you arrive: hospitality budget and items, parking, hotel partners, load-in location and time, what equipment the venue has (mics, stands, cables), soundcheck and set times, set length, guest-list count, whether you can bring a videographer, and more. This is your prep so you know what to expect — and what's expected of you.

Day Sheet

The schedule of times for the whole day. Adhere to it as best you can.

HospitalityHOSPO · RIDER

Requests from the artist to make the day more enjoyable and the show possible — food, snacks, drinks, and performance items like batteries or guitar strings.

Runner

Someone at the venue with a car to shop hospitality/rider items and drive members to the hotel, radio, etc., so the tour vehicle can stay parked.

House Flat

The lump sum of expenses for the venue to operate nightly: rent, security, stage staff, box office, cleaning, and so on.

Advance everything in writing. Learn the names of the staff you'll work with and treat them with the respect you also deserve — no doubt you'll see them again.

Facility Fee

A venue fee deducted from each ticket gross. Varies by venue and typically increases with capacity.

All-In

Inclusive of all artists on the bill, not just the headliner.

Support / Openers

Non-headlining acts. Direct support is the band right before the headliner; otherwise they're referred to by position on the bill (e.g. 2nd of 5, or 1st of 3).

Stage Plot

A visual diagram of band members and their positions on stage.

Consignment Tickets

Tickets on loan for the artist to sell, a way to get tickets to fans hand-to-hand, sometimes without venue fees. Stay organized: bring all unsold tickets and the cash for sold ones back to the venue.

Merch

Anything for sale from the artist. Hard goods are recordings; soft goods are shirts, hoodies, posters, etc. Expect the venue to ask for 5–20% of soft-good sales (negotiable). If the venue sells for you, count every piece in and out and reconcile at the end of the night.

Front of HouseFOH

Where the sound engineer operates from.

Photo Policy

Many venues have their own, but you're in control of what you want. Standard is songs 1–3 from the photo pit (no flash), then potentially shooting from the audience.

Guest List Etiquette

Spots are limited and meant to show your most loyal supporters they're noticed. On a door deal, every free ticket takes money from you and the venue, so don't go overboard. Not everyone on the list needs backstage; the greenroom is your space to prepare, not a hangout.

Settlement Etiquette

Have backup and request proof: a detailed list of tickets sold, prices, and where, plus receipts for any deductions. A venue may ask for a W-9, so have one ready. If handed a check, don't lose it; if wired, confirm your details and follow up after the quoted timeframe.

Electronic Press KitEPK

A one-sheet pitch of your band: photo, pertinent touring history, where to find your music, a brief bio, and more.

• Lacking a professional touch, like hitting "reply all" to every email.
• Not honoring commitments the moment a better offer comes along.

More Terms Coming

• Input List
• Admat
• Radius
• Radio Proposal

Level Play · Artist Resources · Playbook 02