If it is not in writing, it does not exist. That is the first rule of performance contracts. A handshake and a text message will not protect you when the promoter suddenly remembers the pay differently. Every gig, even a free one for exposure, needs a simple written agreement. It does not have to be twenty pages drafted by a lawyer. One clear page beats a long memory every time.
Your contract must spell out the date, venue, load-in and set times, set length, and the exact payment. State whether it is a guarantee, a door split, or a hybrid, and when payment happens. Night of, in cash or instant transfer, is the standard you should push for. Include cancellation terms: what happens if they cancel, what happens if you cancel, and who keeps the deposit. Fifty percent up front is normal for private events.
Add the technical basics too: who provides sound, what backline is available, and your hospitality needs. Keep a template on your phone so you can send it within an hour of agreeing to a date. Promoters who refuse to sign anything are telling you exactly how the night will go. Walk away from unsigned deals now or chase missing money later. Your choice.
Keep copies of every signed contract organized by date in a dedicated folder, digital and printed. If a dispute ever arises, the artist with documentation wins. Have an entertainment lawyer review your template once, then reuse it with confidence. Many offer affordable flat rate reviews for indie artists. Update the template as you learn: every bad experience teaches you a clause to add. The contract is not about distrust, it is about clarity. Professionals on both sides prefer working with people who handle business cleanly.
About the Author – Ruben Burgos: Ruben Burgos brings over 25 years of music expertise and more than 15 years of model guidance to the table. He is the indie major pinnacle to retaining credits for musicians and helping them navigate this wicked industry without the fuckery.