Contracts
What to put in a gig contract
A gig contract isn’t about distrust. It’s about making sure the band and the venue remember the same deal three months later. Most disputes come from things nobody wrote down. Here is what to write down.
This is general information, not legal advice. For a large or unusual booking, have someone qualified read your agreement.
The basics: who, when, where
- Who: the band’s name and the person or business booking you, with a contact for each. If the band is an LLC, use its legal name.
- When: the date, load-in time, soundcheck, start time, and how long you play, including the number of sets and breaks.
- Where: the venue address, the room or stage, and anything about access: stairs, parking, a loading door.
Money: fee, deposit and how you get paid
- The fee, as one clear number. If it includes extras like a sound system or an extra set, say so.
- The deposit: how much and by when. Weddings and private events usually take 25 to 50 percent to hold the date. Say whether it’s refundable.
- The balance: when it’s due (on the night, or before) and how (check, transfer, an app). Say who the check is made out to.
- Overtime: what an extra half hour costs, agreed before anyone asks for it on the night.
Bars and door deals. If you’re paid a share of the door or the bar, write down exactly what the share is, who counts it, and when you see the count.
Sound, stage and power
- Who provides the PA and who runs it.
- The stage size, or the space you’ll have if there’s no stage.
- Power: how many outlets, and that they’re on separate circuits from the kitchen.
- Any volume limit or curfew. Better to know before soundcheck than at 10:30.
Hospitality
Food and drink for the band, parking for the gear vehicles, and a place to change or leave cases. None of it is a big ask; all of it is easier agreed in writing than negotiated at the bar.
Cancellation and weather
This is the clause that matters most when it matters.
- If the venue cancels: how much notice they must give, and what you keep (often the deposit, or the full fee inside a set number of days).
- If the band cancels: the deposit goes back, and you’ll try to find a replacement.
- Outdoor gigs: who decides on bad weather, by when, and what happens to the fee. Say the band won’t play on a wet, uncovered stage.
The small things that save arguments
- Song requests and a do-not-play list (weddings especially).
- Whether you can sell merch and put out a tip jar.
- Photos and video: can you film the gig for your own promotion?
- Signatures and dates from both sides. An email “sounds good” is better than nothing; a signed agreement is better still.
Free template, or the full version in BandStack
The free gig contract template covers everything above in plain English. Fill it in, then print it or save it as a PDF, with no account needed.
In BandStack, contracts come from the gig itself: the date, times, venue and pay fill in on their own. The band signs, the venue signs from a private link on their phone, and both sides get the signed PDF. Invoices, deposits and who’s been paid live with the gig too.
Get the deal in writing
Use the free template now, or let BandStack fill it in from the gig.
Free gig contractSee BandStack