Tag: show advance

  • The Perfect EPK Checklist for Independent Artists

    Your EPK is your one stop link for venues, festivals, and media. Keep it short, visual, and easy to scan. The goal is simple: make a booker or writer confident you can deliver a great show and a clean story.

    Must have EPK sections

    1. Short artist bio: 75 to 120 words, in third person. Lead with your sound, scene, and one credible win.
    2. Press photos: 2 to 4 high res images, landscape and portrait. Add alt text with your name and genre.
    3. Music links: Embed 2 to 3 top tracks. Prioritize a recent single and your most streamed song.
    4. Live video: One tight performance clip under three minutes.
    5. Notable wins: Support slots, festivals, radio or playlist adds, quotes.
    6. Upcoming dates: A few confirmed shows to prove momentum.
    7. Stage plot and input list: One clean PDF or image.
    8. Contact: Booking email, city, and a single link hub.

    Bio templates you can copy

    Indie rock example: Nashville based artist [Artist Name] blends melodic guitars and tight hooks, drawing comparisons to The Killers and The War on Drugs. In 2025 they headlined The Basement and supported [Notable Act]. Latest single [Song] earned spins on [Station] and landed on [Playlist]. For bookings and press, contact [Email].

    Singer songwriter example: [Artist Name] writes intimate stories with warm vocals and cinematic strings. Recent appearances include The Bluebird Cafe and 30A Songwriters Festival, with coverage in [Outlet]. New EP [Title] out now.

    Photo guidance

    • One clean head and shoulders portrait
    • One live shot with energy
    • One wide banner image for headers

    Make it skimmable

    • Short paragraphs and subheads
    • Large, legible fonts
    • Limit embeds to keep load times fast

    Link and file hygiene

    • Use a simple URL like artistname.com/epk
    • Export PDFs under 3 MB
    • Keep a cloud folder with the same assets for quick sharing

    Quick EPK QA checklist

    • Bio has a clear opening hook
    • Two great photos with alt text
    • One live video under three minutes
    • Contact email easy to find
    • Stage plot downloadable
    • Links open in new tabs

    Related resources


    Artist Resources Library

    Artist Resources Library

    Guides, templates, and checklists to level up fast.


    RoadUno Tour Assistant

    Try the RoadUno Tour Assistant

    Find venues, plan routes, and pitch with confidence.

  • Hire a Photographer for Your Show (Why + How)

    Why a photographer is worth it

    Momentum needs media. The morning after a show is your best window for reach. A photographer who hands you 2-5 edited previews that night lets you post while excitement is still hot, then drip out a full set across the week.

    Quality multiplies results. Clean, well lit images consistently outperform phone pics: higher saves and shares, better follow through to streaming, and stronger click through on tour announcements and ticket links.

    Professionalism compounds. Venues, promoters, and local media want assets they can repost. Deliver a link to a small press set with credits and you’ll get more tags, more shares, and more inbound opportunities.

    What you’re buying: a night-of preview (2–5 images), a final set (15–40 selects), a few vertical frames for Reels/Stories, and permission to use the photos for band promo across social, website, and press kits.

    Realistic budgets & simple terms

    Typical local ranges: $100–$400 for emerging shooters; $400–$1,200+ for experienced tour photographers. Many will trade for 2 comp tickets, drink tickets, and guaranteed tags—just be clear on scope and usage.

    Usage baseline: “Perpetual, nonexclusive license for band promo (social, website, EPK, press). No merch or third party ads without written approval.” Put that sentence in email and you’re covered for most scenarios.

    How to find photographers on Instagram

    Search smart: look at the Location tab for your venue and recent shows, then check who shot those bands. Browse hashtags like #YourCityConcert, #YourVenue, #livemusicphotography, and #tourlife.

    Vet quickly: Can they handle low light and motion? Are skin tones consistent? Do they post recent work (last 60–90 days)? Do captions tag venues/acts (a sign they understand promo)? Do they link full galleries?

    What to ask for: night-of preview count, total final selects, verticals for Reels, delivery timing, rate or trade, and usage rights (promo only is standard).

    Outreach templates you can paste

    Instagram DM

    Hey [Photographer Name]! Loved your shots of [Band/Venue]. We’re [Artist] playing [Venue, City] on [Date] ([Set Time]).

    Could you shoot the set? We’re hoping for:
    • 2–5 preview edits the night of
    • 15–30 final selects (incl. a few verticals for Reels)
    • Delivery within 48–72 hours
    • Promo usage across our socials/website (no merch)

    Budget: $[___] (or trade: 2 comps + drink tix + tags). If you’re available, what’s your rate & timeline?
    — [Your Name], [Role], @[handle], [you@band.com]

    Email

    Subject: Photo Request — [Artist] at [Venue, City] on [Date]

    Hi [Photographer Name],

    We love your live work (esp. the [reference post/gallery]). We’re playing [Venue] on [Date] at [Time] and would love to hire you.

    Scope
    • 2–5 preview edits night of
    • 20–40 final selects (incl. verticals for Reels)
    • Delivery: previews night of; full set within 72 hours
    • Usage: perpetual promo on socials/website/EPK/press (no merch or third-party ads without approval)

    Budget: $[___] (open to your standard rate). We’ll add 2 comp tickets and tag you in all posts.

    Thanks!
    [Your Name] — [Artist/Band]
    @[IGhandle] | [you@band.com] | [phone]

    Day-of and after-show checklist

    • Confirm access (photo pit/side stage), set length, and any lighting cues.
    • Share “must have” moments (solo, crowd moment, final chorus, guest feature).
    • Decide where previews should go (Google Drive link, Dropbox, iCloud) and the deadline.
    • Next morning: one carousel (5–8 shots) + Story tagging venue & photographer; later in the week, post 2–3 Reels from the verticals, then send a small press set to venue/promoter.
    Keep it simple: a clear ask, a fair offer, and fast crediting will turn a one off shooter into a long term collaborator.

    Related resources


    Artist Resources Library — guides and templates

    Artist Resources Library

    Guides, templates, and checklists to level up fast.


    RoadUno Tour Assistant — plan routes and pitch venues

    Try the RoadUno Tour Assistant

    Find venues, plan routes, and pitch with confidence.

    TL;DR: A photographer turns a single night into weeks of compelling content, grows your audience, and signals professionalism to venues and media. Book one before your next show—you’ll feel the difference in your metrics and your momentum.