ArtistHQ
Blog
Practical guides on touring, money, merch, releases, and the business of being in a band — written for musicians who mean business.
A RiderZero alternative that runs the money, not just the day sheets
RiderZero is a sharp, offline-friendly tour-logistics PWA. Here's where it shines on the road — and where a band-first alternative runs the money too.
A Muzeek alternative for bands who want more than booking
Muzeek is strong, free-to-start booking software for agents, venues, and bookers. Here's where its focus ends and a band-first alternative takes over.
Bandzoogle alternative: website builder vs. band back office
Bandzoogle builds a great band website and store — but it isn't the back office. Here's what it does well, what it leaves out, and where ArtistHQ fits.
An Artist Growth alternative built for bands, not just managers
Artist Growth is enterprise-shaped, quote-priced software for managers and labels running rosters. Here's a band-first, transparent alternative.
The best Master Tour alternative for bands running their own business
Master Tour is the standard for tour-day logistics, built for production crews at $59.99/mo. Here's a band-first alternative that also runs your money.
How do you book gigs for your band?
How to book your own gigs: the EPK to have ready, where to find shows, the pitch email that gets replies, routing a run, and turning a yes into a date.
How much should your band charge to play a show?
How much should a band charge to play a show? Deal types, what sets your fee, pay ranges by level, and why your draw — not confidence — is your price.
Bookkeeping for musicians: track it now, thank yourself at tax time
Bookkeeping for musicians made simple: separate the band's money, expenses you can claim, catching receipts on the road, and a clean hand-off at tax time.
Day rates, splits, and not stiffing your crew
What to pay a FOH engineer, merch seller, or driver, how day rates and per-diems work, and when to hire vs DIY — so your crew comes back next time.
Your contact list is your career: building a venue and promoter rolodex
The bands that keep touring remember who booked them, who paid on time, and who to call next. How to build a contact list that books the next show.
Build a release plan: the 8-week countdown from master to drop
A week-by-week release plan for artists: when to deliver to DSPs, set up pre-saves, announce, and line up the video — so release day isn't a scramble.
Insuring your backline: what gear insurance actually costs and covers
What instrument insurance covers, how scheduled vs. blanket policies differ, what touring can void, and why proof of ownership is the part bands skip.
Advancing a show: the email every band forgets to send
Advancing is the email that confirms the boring details — load-in, parking, settlement terms — before show day. A checklist of what to ask, and when.
Registering your songs with a PRO: ISWC, IPI, and actually getting paid
What a PRO is, how ISWC and IPI differ, how to split writer credits, and how to report your live shows so you actually collect performance royalties.
What is a tech rider — and how to write one that actually gets read
A tech rider tells a venue exactly what your band needs to play. Here's what belongs in one, what to leave out, and how to make sure it gets honored.
Splitting band money fairly (and the conversation no one wants to have)
How bands split income fairly: equal vs contribution-weighted splits, day-rate sidemen, and why you write it down before the money arrives.
Merch margins for bands: pricing, costs, and what to actually bring on tour
How bands price shirts and vinyl, read gross margin and sell-through, use per-head average to set quantities, and avoid dead stock on tour.
Tour settlement explained: how to read a venue settlement sheet
How to read a venue settlement sheet line by line: guarantee vs door deals, the deductions to expect, and why your settled net is the number that matters.
How to budget a DIY tour without losing your shirt
A line-by-line way to budget an independent tour — fixed vs per-show costs, the break-even number that matters, and how to track it on the road.