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Welcome to the GigLogic Glossary
Welcome to the GigLogic Glossary
We've curated this list of industry terms as the world of gigging as a performer can be confusing. Feel free to submit new ones to info@giglogic.com!
Advance
Advance
The pre-show coordination between artist and venue. Covers load-in times, stage specs, hospitality, guest list, and any deal specifics. A good advance prevents day-of surprises.
The pre-show coordination between artist and venue. Covers load-in times, stage specs, hospitality, guest list, and any deal specifics. A good advance prevents day-of surprises.
Agent
Agent
A licensed representative who solicits and negotiates gig offers on behalf of an artist. Typically earns 10-15% of gross performance income. Not the same as a manager.
A licensed representative who solicits and negotiates gig offers on behalf of an artist. Typically earns 10-15% of gross performance income. Not the same as a manager.
Back End
Back End
Additional earnings paid to the artist after a venue recoups its costs. Common in door deals and vs. deals. The back end is where the real money hides - or doesn't.
Additional earnings paid to the artist after a venue recoups its costs. Common in door deals and vs. deals. The back end is where the real money hides - or doesn't.
Backline
Backline
Amplifiers, drum kits, keyboards, and other large gear provided by the venue or rented locally instead of being toured. Using house backline cuts transport costs but limits your sound.
Amplifiers, drum kits, keyboards, and other large gear provided by the venue or rented locally instead of being toured. Using house backline cuts transport costs but limits your sound.
Breakeven
Breakeven
The point where your gross income from a gig exactly covers your total costs. Anything above is profit. Anything below means you paid to perform.
The point where your gross income from a gig exactly covers your total costs. Anything above is profit. Anything below means you paid to perform.
Buyout
Buyout
A flat payment given to artists or crew in place of a provided meal or hotel room. Common on tours where per diems replace hospitality. Usually $15-$50 per person per meal.
A flat payment given to artists or crew in place of a provided meal or hotel room. Common on tours where per diems replace hospitality. Usually $15-$50 per person per meal.
Capacity
Capacity
The maximum number of people a venue can legally hold. Matters because your potential gross on a door deal or percentage deal is capped by capacity times ticket price.
The maximum number of people a venue can legally hold. Matters because your potential gross on a door deal or percentage deal is capped by capacity times ticket price.
Commission
Commission
The percentage taken by an agent, manager, or other representative from your gross earnings. Stacks up fast - 10% to the agent, 15-20% to the manager, and your gross shrinks before you see it.
The percentage taken by an agent, manager, or other representative from your gross earnings. Stacks up fast - 10% to the agent, 15-20% to the manager, and your gross shrinks before you see it.
Confirmed
Confirmed
A gig that has moved from hold to a binding commitment. Until it's confirmed, it's not real. Don't book travel on a hold.
A gig that has moved from hold to a binding commitment. Until it's confirmed, it's not real. Don't book travel on a hold.
Co-Promote
Co-Promote
A deal structure where the artist and promoter share both the financial risk and the upside. The artist contributes to marketing or production costs in exchange for a larger share of revenue.
A deal structure where the artist and promoter share both the financial risk and the upside. The artist contributes to marketing or production costs in exchange for a larger share of revenue.
Day of Show (DOS)
Day of Show (DOS)
Everything that happens the day the gig actually takes place. Load-in, soundcheck, doors, showtime, settlement, load-out. Your costs on DOS are usually fixed - it's the revenue side that varies.
Everything that happens the day the gig actually takes place. Load-in, soundcheck, doors, showtime, settlement, load-out. Your costs on DOS are usually fixed - it's the revenue side that varies.
Day Sheet
Day Sheet
A one-page itinerary for the day's schedule: travel, load-in, soundcheck, meals, showtime, curfew. The touring equivalent of a flight manifest.
A one-page itinerary for the day's schedule: travel, load-in, soundcheck, meals, showtime, curfew. The touring equivalent of a flight manifest.
Deal Memo
Deal Memo
A written summary of the agreed terms between artist and venue or promoter. Not always a formal contract, but it should be. Covers guarantee, percentage splits, ticket price, show times, and hospitality.
A written summary of the agreed terms between artist and venue or promoter. Not always a formal contract, but it should be. Covers guarantee, percentage splits, ticket price, show times, and hospitality.
Door Deal
Door Deal
A deal where the artist is paid entirely from ticket sales with no guaranteed minimum. High upside if the room fills. High risk if it doesn't. Common for emerging artists and smaller venues.
A deal where the artist is paid entirely from ticket sales with no guaranteed minimum. High upside if the room fills. High risk if it doesn't. Common for emerging artists and smaller venues.
Draw
Draw
How many people an artist can reliably bring to a venue in a given market. Venues and promoters evaluate your draw to set deal terms. No draw, no leverage.
How many people an artist can reliably bring to a venue in a given market. Venues and promoters evaluate your draw to set deal terms. No draw, no leverage.
Flat Fee
Flat Fee
See Guarantee.
See Guarantee.
Front of House (FOH)
Front of House (FOH)
The audience-facing side of the venue, including the sound engineer who mixes what the audience hears. FOH costs (sound, lights, crew) are sometimes included in the venue deal, sometimes not.
The audience-facing side of the venue, including the sound engineer who mixes what the audience hears. FOH costs (sound, lights, crew) are sometimes included in the venue deal, sometimes not.
Gig Check
Gig Check
The act of running a gig offer through GigLogic to see your real projected profit after all costs. The core action of the platform.
The act of running a gig offer through GigLogic to see your real projected profit after all costs. The core action of the platform.
Gig Guesswork
Gig Guesswork
The industry-wide habit of accepting gig offers based on gut feel, rough math, or fear of saying no - without knowing the real financial outcome. The problem GigLogic exists to solve.
The industry-wide habit of accepting gig offers based on gut feel, rough math, or fear of saying no - without knowing the real financial outcome. The problem GigLogic exists to solve.
Gross
Gross
Total revenue from a gig before any expenses, commissions, or deductions. The number on the offer sheet. Not the number you take home.
Total revenue from a gig before any expenses, commissions, or deductions. The number on the offer sheet. Not the number you take home.
Guarantee
Guarantee
A fixed payment the artist receives regardless of ticket sales or attendance. The floor of what you'll earn. Also called a flat fee. Doesn't mean you'll profit - your costs might exceed it.
A fixed payment the artist receives regardless of ticket sales or attendance. The floor of what you'll earn. Also called a flat fee. Doesn't mean you'll profit - your costs might exceed it.
Hold
Hold
A tentative reservation of a date at a venue. Not a confirmed booking. Holds have priority levels (first hold, second hold). A hold means interest, not commitment.
A tentative reservation of a date at a venue. Not a confirmed booking. Holds have priority levels (first hold, second hold). A hold means interest, not commitment.
Hospitality
Hospitality
What the venue provides beyond payment: meals, drinks, dressing rooms, towels, lodging. Spelled out in the rider. Good hospitality offsets costs. Bad hospitality adds them.
What the venue provides beyond payment: meals, drinks, dressing rooms, towels, lodging. Spelled out in the rider. Good hospitality offsets costs. Bad hospitality adds them.
House Nut
House Nut
The venue's fixed operating costs for the night: staff, sound, lights, security, insurance. In many deals, the house nut gets deducted from gross revenue before the artist sees a dollar.
The venue's fixed operating costs for the night: staff, sound, lights, security, insurance. In many deals, the house nut gets deducted from gross revenue before the artist sees a dollar.
House Split
House Split
The percentage of revenue the venue keeps after the nut is covered. A 70/30 split after nut means the artist gets 70% of what's left after the venue recoups its costs.
The percentage of revenue the venue keeps after the nut is covered. A 70/30 split after nut means the artist gets 70% of what's left after the venue recoups its costs.
In the Red
In the Red
Losing money. When your costs exceed your revenue on a gig, you performed in the red. The opposite of profitable.
Losing money. When your costs exceed your revenue on a gig, you performed in the red. The opposite of profitable.
Load-In / Load-Out
Load-In / Load-Out
The physical process of moving gear into and out of the venue. Load-in times affect crew costs, parking fees, and how much of your day the gig consumes.
The physical process of moving gear into and out of the venue. Load-in times affect crew costs, parking fees, and how much of your day the gig consumes.
Merch
Merch
Merchandise sold at the gig: shirts, vinyl, hats, stickers. Some venues take a merch cut (typically 15-25%). Merch revenue can save an otherwise unprofitable gig.
Merchandise sold at the gig: shirts, vinyl, hats, stickers. Some venues take a merch cut (typically 15-25%). Merch revenue can save an otherwise unprofitable gig.
Merch Cut
Merch Cut
The percentage of merchandise revenue the venue keeps. Ranges from 0% (artist-friendly) to 25%+ (arena-level). Always confirm this before the show, not after.
The percentage of merchandise revenue the venue keeps. Ranges from 0% (artist-friendly) to 25%+ (arena-level). Always confirm this before the show, not after.
Net
Net
What's left after all expenses are subtracted from gross revenue. The number that actually matters. Your real take-home.
What's left after all expenses are subtracted from gross revenue. The number that actually matters. Your real take-home.
Offer
Offer
A formal or informal proposal from a venue, promoter, or buyer to hire an artist for a specific date and fee. The starting point of every gig decision.
A formal or informal proposal from a venue, promoter, or buyer to hire an artist for a specific date and fee. The starting point of every gig decision.
Per Diem
Per Diem
A daily cash allowance paid to artists or crew to cover meals and incidentals on the road. Usually $25-$75/day. A real cost that adds up across a tour and rarely gets factored into gig math.
A daily cash allowance paid to artists or crew to cover meals and incidentals on the road. Usually $25-$75/day. A real cost that adds up across a tour and rarely gets factored into gig math.
Plus (Guarantee Plus)
Plus (Guarantee Plus)
A deal structure combining a guaranteed minimum with a percentage of revenue above a certain threshold. Example: $2,000 guarantee plus 80% of gross ticket sales after the first $3,000.
A deal structure combining a guaranteed minimum with a percentage of revenue above a certain threshold. Example: $2,000 guarantee plus 80% of gross ticket sales after the first $3,000.
Production
Production
The technical infrastructure required to put on the show: sound system, lighting rig, staging, video. Production costs can be included in the venue deal or billed to the artist. Always clarify.
The technical infrastructure required to put on the show: sound system, lighting rig, staging, video. Production costs can be included in the venue deal or billed to the artist. Always clarify.
Promoter
Promoter
The person or company responsible for marketing the show and selling tickets. May also be the venue. The promoter's incentives don't always align with the artist's - understand the deal structure.
The person or company responsible for marketing the show and selling tickets. May also be the venue. The promoter's incentives don't always align with the artist's - understand the deal structure.
Radius Clause
Radius Clause
A contractual restriction preventing the artist from performing within a certain distance of the venue for a set period before or after the booked date. Limits your ability to stack nearby gigs.
A contractual restriction preventing the artist from performing within a certain distance of the venue for a set period before or after the booked date. Limits your ability to stack nearby gigs.
Rider
Rider
A document attached to the contract specifying the artist's technical and hospitality requirements. Technical rider covers sound, lights, and stage. Hospitality rider covers food, drinks, and dressing room needs.
A document attached to the contract specifying the artist's technical and hospitality requirements. Technical rider covers sound, lights, and stage. Hospitality rider covers food, drinks, and dressing room needs.
Routing
Routing
The geographic sequencing of tour dates to minimize travel distance and cost between shows. Bad routing turns profitable gigs into money losers through excess fuel, tolls, and lodging.
The geographic sequencing of tour dates to minimize travel distance and cost between shows. Bad routing turns profitable gigs into money losers through excess fuel, tolls, and lodging.
Scaling
Scaling
Setting different ticket prices for different sections or tiers within a venue. Affects your gross revenue projections. A 500-cap room at $30 average is different from 500-cap with $20 balcony and $50 floor.
Setting different ticket prices for different sections or tiers within a venue. Affects your gross revenue projections. A 500-cap room at $30 average is different from 500-cap with $20 balcony and $50 floor.
Settlement
Settlement
The post-show financial reconciliation between artist and venue or promoter. When the actual numbers replace the projected ones. Always settle the night of the show if possible.
The post-show financial reconciliation between artist and venue or promoter. When the actual numbers replace the projected ones. Always settle the night of the show if possible.
Show Profile
Show Profile
A reusable template inside GigLogic that saves your typical cost configuration - crew size, gear, travel setup - so you don't re-enter it for every Gig Check.
A reusable template inside GigLogic that saves your typical cost configuration - crew size, gear, travel setup - so you don't re-enter it for every Gig Check.
Soft Ticket
Soft Ticket
A gig where tickets are sold but the artist's payment isn't directly tied to ticket revenue. The artist receives a flat fee regardless. Contrast with a door deal.
A gig where tickets are sold but the artist's payment isn't directly tied to ticket revenue. The artist receives a flat fee regardless. Contrast with a door deal.
Split Point
Split Point
The revenue threshold after which the artist begins earning a percentage in a vs. deal or guarantee-plus structure. Everything below the split point goes to cover the venue's costs. Everything above gets divided.
The revenue threshold after which the artist begins earning a percentage in a vs. deal or guarantee-plus structure. Everything below the split point goes to cover the venue's costs. Everything above gets divided.
Take-Home
Take-Home
The actual amount of money the artist walks away with after all costs, commissions, and deductions. The only number that matters. The number GigLogic shows you before you say yes.
The actual amount of money the artist walks away with after all costs, commissions, and deductions. The only number that matters. The number GigLogic shows you before you say yes.
Ticket Rebate
Ticket Rebate
A small per-ticket fee returned to the artist, separate from the main deal. Sometimes negotiated as an add-on. Usually $1-$3 per ticket. Easy to overlook, adds up at scale.
A small per-ticket fee returned to the artist, separate from the main deal. Sometimes negotiated as an add-on. Usually $1-$3 per ticket. Easy to overlook, adds up at scale.
Travel Day
Travel Day
A non-performance day spent getting from one city to the next. No revenue, but crew still gets paid, the van still burns fuel, and the per diem still applies. Travel days are invisible costs that wreck tour budgets.
A non-performance day spent getting from one city to the next. No revenue, but crew still gets paid, the van still burns fuel, and the per diem still applies. Travel days are invisible costs that wreck tour budgets.
Venue Fee
Venue Fee
Charges billed by the venue on top of or separate from the house nut. Can include room rental, sound engineer fees, security minimums, or insurance surcharges. Ask for an itemized list before signing.
Charges billed by the venue on top of or separate from the house nut. Can include room rental, sound engineer fees, security minimums, or insurance surcharges. Ask for an itemized list before signing.
Vs. Deal (Versus Deal)
Vs. Deal (Versus Deal)
A deal where the artist receives either a guaranteed minimum or a percentage of revenue - whichever is higher. Written as $2,000 vs. 80% of net. Protects against a bad night while preserving upside on a good one.
A deal where the artist receives either a guaranteed minimum or a percentage of revenue - whichever is higher. Written as $2,000 vs. 80% of net. Protects against a bad night while preserving upside on a good one.
Walk-Up
Walk-Up
Tickets purchased at the door on the day of the show, as opposed to advance sales. Walk-ups are unpredictable. Don't build your budget around them.
Tickets purchased at the door on the day of the show, as opposed to advance sales. Walk-ups are unpredictable. Don't build your budget around them.
Withholding Tax
Withholding Tax
A percentage of earnings withheld by certain states or countries for tax purposes when the artist is a nonresident. Ranges from 0% to 15%+ depending on jurisdiction. A real cost that most artists forget to factor in.
A percentage of earnings withheld by certain states or countries for tax purposes when the artist is a nonresident. Ranges from 0% to 15%+ depending on jurisdiction. A real cost that most artists forget to factor in.