A door deal pays you a share of ticket sales instead of a fixed fee. It can pay more if the show sells well, and less if it doesn't, so agree how ticket numbers will be shared with you.

When should a gig fee be paid?

Common practice is an advance before the show and the balance on the day or shortly after. Put the amounts and dates in writing, along with what happens if the show is cancelled.

A rider is a list attached to your agreement of what you need to perform: the technical setup (sound, instruments, stage) and hospitality (food, water, green room, travel and stay).

Who pays for music licences at an event?

Licensing music performed or played at a public event is generally the organiser's or venue's responsibility, through bodies like IPRS for songs and PPL India for recordings.

Do I charge GST on gig fees?

It depends on your total turnover, the type of performance and the fee. There's a GST exemption for performances in folk or classical art forms where the fee is up to ₹1.5 lakh, which doesn't apply to brand ambassador work. Check your case with a chartered accountant.

Live shows: fees, agreements and riders

The common deal structures

Deal	How you're paid	Good when
Flat fee	A fixed amount, whatever the turnout	You know your value, or it's a private or corporate event
Door deal	A percentage of ticket sales	You can bring a crowd, and you trust the ticket count
Guarantee plus share	A minimum fee plus a share above a target	You draw well and want protection if the night is quiet
Showcase or free slot	Exposure, sometimes travel covered	Rarely. Be clear about what you're getting in return

Corporate events, weddings and brand activations usually pay flat fees and expect a tighter agreement. Club and festival slots vary widely.

What a performance agreement should cover

Even a one-page agreement, or a confirmed email, prevents most problems. Make sure it covers:

Who and where: the organiser's details, the venue, the date.
The set: start time, length, and how many sets.
The fee: the amount, whether it includes taxes, and the deal structure.
Payment timing: an advance before the show, and the balance on the day or soon after.
Travel and stay: who books and pays for travel, local transport and accommodation.
Cancellation: what you're paid if the organiser cancels, and what happens if you have to.
Technical needs: sound system, monitors, instruments, sound check time. Attach your rider.
Hospitality: food, water, green room.
Recording and content: can they record or stream your set, and use it afterwards?
Branding: how your name appears on posters and social media.

How to write a simple rider

A rider is a short attachment listing what you need to perform at your best. Keep it realistic for the size of the show.

Technical rider

Your line-up and what each person plays.
Inputs needed: vocal mics, DI boxes for keys or laptop, instrument mics.
Monitors: how many, and where.
Anything you'll bring yourself, and what you need the venue to provide.
A simple stage plot.
Sound check: how long, and when.

Hospitality rider

Drinking water on stage.
A meal for the band and crew.
A secure space for your gear.
Travel and accommodation details, if not covered in the agreement.

Licences at events: what you should know

Public events that use music need licences, and this is generally the organiser's or venue's responsibility, not yours as the performer:

IPRS licenses the public performance of songs (the lyrics and composition).
PPL India licenses the public playing of recordings, for example tracks played between sets.

Why it matters to you: if you've written the songs you perform, and you're an IPRS member with your songs registered, public performances of your work are part of how royalty money is collected. Ask the organiser whether the event is licensed.

Pricing your shows

There's no reliable public data on gig fees in India, so price from your own numbers:

Add up your costs: band members, rehearsal, travel, gear hire, your own time.
Know your draw: how many people actually come when you play, and in which cities.
Ask peers at your level what they're paid for similar shows.
Set a floor: the minimum below which a show costs you money.
Raise it gradually as your draw grows.

Getting more shows

Record your shows. Short live clips are some of the best content for booking more.
Build a simple press kit: bio, photos, music links, live video, past shows and contact. (An EPK template is coming in the Getting started documents.)
Play where your listeners are. Spotify for Artists shows which cities your listeners are in.
Be easy to work with: on time, clear communication, and a rider that's reasonable.

Your checklist

Write a one-page performance agreement template you can reuse.
Write your technical and hospitality rider.
Decide your minimum fee and your deal preferences.
Ask a chartered accountant whether you need to charge GST.
Keep a list of every show: date, venue, fee, turnout and contacts.