Live band: a guide for pros
What customers ask, how to win the job, and what to put on your profile.
Offering live band
You offer live band performances for parties, venues and private events. This guide covers the questions customers ask, how to win the booking and what to show on your profile.
What customers ask
- How many musicians will play, and who exactly will be on stage?
- Can you play the songs my guests will know?
- What equipment do you bring, and what power do you need?
- How long are the sets, and when are the breaks?
- Can I see a video of a full set from a similar event?
How to win the job
- On the first call, ask about the guest age range, the venue, the event schedule and the must-play songs before you talk about the set list
- Send a video of a full set with the same lineup you plan to send, labeled with the event type
- Put the number of musicians, the set length, the break times and the equipment in the written quote
- Confirm the stage space, power source and load-in route with the venue before the event
- Build a set list draft with the customer and send it back for approval
- Name the backup plan if a member cannot attend, and confirm the lineup in writing
- Ask the customer for a short list of songs to avoid, so the set stays on track
What to put on your profile
- Videos of full sets with the lineup clearly shown
- Photos of your stage and equipment at a real venue
- A list of the event types and genres you cover
- Your insurance status and the venues you have played
Follow-up that helps the customer
- Offer a set list review two weeks before the event to lock songs and transitions
- Suggest a short walk-through of the stage area with the venue or planner
- Recommend a plan for guests who request songs during the set, so the customer knows how those requests will be handled
Licenses and permits
No state license is usually required for live band work. Carry general liability insurance, any local business license that applies and a written note of the venue's noise rules, and check state and local requirements with your licensing agency before taking jobs.
Questions
Do I need to pay for music licensing for cover songs?
Venues often hold public performance licensing for recorded music. Ask each venue what it covers and what the band is responsible for, and put the answer in the contract.
How do I handle a lineup change?
Tell the customer as soon as you know. Offer a replacement only if the customer approves, and never send a different lineup without saying so.
What should I ask before I accept a gig?
Ask for the stage size, the power source, the load-in time, the start and end time and whether the venue has noise limits.
About this guide
This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.
Edit history
- Oct 29, 2026: Drafted by infinibell to our content guidelines.
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