Setting the Stage

            Being a creative artist has its share of difficulties.  To create and manage a career as an artist would require the expertise of someone who knows the business and financial aspects of entertainment business.  Hiring a professional in this field would allow the artist to fully concentrate on their craft.  However, there are people out there that will take advantage of those who are ignorant to these concepts.  More artists today are seeking to abandon the idea of the artist manager and decide to manage themselves instead.

            There are both advantages and disadvantages to having a manager as an artist.  As I mentioned earlier, the artist can commit to the development of their talents while a manager is responsible for the business aspects of their career.  Reputable managers also have knowledge of the necessary contacts and resources to expand the artist’s career, such as venue managers, promoters, and radio personnel.  Of course, there is also the risk of being taken advantage of by shifty managers.  This blog (Warning: Strong Language) demonstrates some instances where managers have exploited their artists’ lack of industry knowledge for their own benefit.  Colonel Tom Parker, the manager of Elvis Presley, was receiving over 50% of the artist’s earnings by the end of his career.  Bob Dylan’s manager, Albert Grossman, took a similar route and was reported to have taken 25% of the revenue.  The norm at the time of a manager’s salary was about 15% of the artist’s earnings.  Had the artists known that industry knowledge ahead of time, they could have better negotiated their contractual terms.

            Self-management seems to be the trend with most current bands.  Without a manager or record label, artists can have more freedom and control in the direction of their careers.  Bands have started turning to crowdsourcing to help fund their creative aspirations, such as filming a music video and recording their next album.  But, self-management seems to benefit those who have been in the industry and are knowledgeable in their business and finances.  Especially within the entertainment industry, credibility and knowing the right contacts are some of the most important factors in the success of rising artists.  In the case of Melissa James, even though she has already established her role as an artist and is known throughout the community, her credibility as a manager does not exist and has been dismissed by many industry contacts in her attempts to promote her new record.  And without being known by a strong fan base, methods like crowdsourcing would prove unsuccessful if nobody even knows the artist’s existence.  Taking on multiple roles as a self-managed artist can also take away from their craft, both time-wise and inspirationally.

            There are obviously pros and cons to each side of the artist management vs. self-management argument.  Artists can have the option of managing their own careers, but it would be more successful if they had help in developing their image and presence early in their career.  It’s always good to know basic knowledge of the entertainment industry, like the average percentage artist managers normally take from the artist, before establishing binding terms.  Then, once the artists see how the industry is run, they can better decide on how to continue their careers, whether it’s renegotiating a contract with a current manager or venturing out their own.

Bands and artists have the need to tour to perform for their fans as well as gain prospective ones in the process.  To make that all possible, however, requires a lot of planning and organization.  Tour managers are the people that execute many of the tasks that put the tours into motion.  From managing the costs of daily expenses, to confirming the locations set throughout the tour, to ensuring the needs of the artists and crew are met, the job of a tour manager includes many responsibilities. 

Even before the tour is set to begin, the tour manager is already busy making proper arrangements.  While it is the booking agent’s job to secure venues for the artists to perform, the tour manager will be confirming many aspects before making any permanent agreements.  Tour managers make sure the venues can accommodate the bands’ needs with regards to sound, lights, staging, rehearsal times, location, and many other areas.  From personal experience, this aspect of the tour manager is extremely important.  If the venue is not even suitable enough for the band to perform in, whether it involves inadequate power, not having an ideal mixer, or poor location, the show will be a failure.  A few years ago, The Human Abstract were scheduled to perform in Pensacola.  At the time, this was where I was living and was surprised they would even play in a small town like Pensacola.  I was more surprised because I knew the venue they were supposed to perform in…it was basically a small bar located in the basement of a hotel.  I was expecting a really amazing show because I tend to enjoy smaller venues; it feels more personal with the band playing right in front of your face.  However, it was clearly not suited for a production like The Human Abstract and they cancelled their part of the show.  Because the tour manager did not confirm the venue’s amenities ahead of time, the cancellation disappointed many of the fans…including myself.

During the tour, the tour manager is there to make sure operations run smoothly each day.  The tour manager ensures everything happens at the predetermined time without delays.  The acts need to be at the venue on time to conduct performance rehearsals along with the crew, and if the show involves a lot of lights, pyrotechnics, or special effects, then a technical rehearsal will also be done.  Managers also oversee promotional activities that can happen during the tour, such as television and radio interviews.  Confirming the venue has the available resources to produce the show is always helpful (refer to the last example).  Once the shows are done for the night, the tour manager makes sure the band and crew are properly paid in accordance with prior agreements with the venue. 

Even when the tour is reaching its end, the tour manager still has much to do.  All travel accommodations need to be confirmed so all people involved can return home once the tour has finished.  Receipts need to be cleared and any other tour business needs to be conducted at this time.  And if the tour was a huge success, the possibility of extending the tour can also present itself.  The tour manager needs to determine well ahead of the scheduled end date of the tour to do some last minute planning to add more dates and locations.