Live Music Terms for Bands: The Glossary
Door deal, NBOR, second hold, radius clause. The words bookers and promoters use, defined in plain English, each linked to the full article.
By Team Roadi · Updated · 5 min read
Part of The Stuff Nobody Tells You: Music Business Basics for Indie Bands, from The Indie Band Survival Guide.
Quick Reference
This is the vocabulary you'll hear from bookers, promoters, and sound engineers, in plain English. Each term links to the article that covers it in full. If someone at the venue says a word you don't know, it's probably here.
Deals and Money
Door Deal
A deal where the band gets a percentage of ticket sales and the venue keeps the rest. 80/20 in the band's favor is standard for a band with a real draw; 70/30 and 60/40 are common when the venue provides more. Also called a door split. See deal types explained.
Guarantee
A fixed fee the band gets no matter how many people come. The venue carries the risk. See deal types explained.
Versus Deal
A deal that pays the higher of a guarantee or a percentage of the door. On $300 vs 80%, a slow night pays $300 and a big night pays the percentage. Often written "vs deal." See deal types explained.
Promoter Profit Deal
A deal where taxes, fees, and the promoter's expenses come off the gross, the promoter takes a profit percentage (usually 10% to 15%), and the artist's share is calculated from what's left. See how promoter profit works.
Four-Wall Deal
A deal where the band pays the venue a flat rental fee for the room and keeps the door. Good if you draw well, risky if you don't. See expenses off the top.
GBOR
Gross box office receipts: total ticket revenue before anything comes off. See how promoter profit works.
NBOR
Net box office receipts: what's left after taxes, facility fees, promoter expenses, and promoter profit. On a promoter profit deal, your percentage is paid on NBOR, not GBOR. See how promoter profit works.
Expenses Off the Top
Costs deducted from the gross door before your percentage is calculated, such as sound, door staff, security, and marketing. "80/20 after expenses" pays less than "80/20." See what "expenses off the top" means.
Settlement
The end-of-night process of counting the money, checking it against the deal terms, and paying the band. See how show settlement works.
Comp
A complimentary ticket. Every comp is one less paid ticket, so on a door deal comps lower your payout. The guest list is the list of comps. See comps and guest list.
Merch Cut
A percentage of your merch sales the venue keeps, usually 10% to 25%. Also called a merch commission or merch split. See merch splits and venue merch cuts.
Booking
Talent Buyer
The person who decides which acts a venue books. Also called the booker. At small rooms it may be the owner or bar manager. See what is a talent buyer.
Draw
The number of people who buy a ticket specifically to see your band. Not followers, not streams. See how to build a draw.
EPK
Electronic press kit: one page with your photo, short bio, music, live video, draw numbers, and contact info. See how to build an EPK.
Hold
A tentative reservation on a date. It puts you in line for the night but isn't a confirmed show. See what holds are.
First Hold and Second Hold
First hold is first in line for a date. Second hold gets it only if the first drops off. See what holds are.
Challenge
When another act or buyer asks for a date you're holding. You get a set window, usually 24 to 72 hours, to confirm or release it. See what holds are.
Deal Memo
The written summary of a show's financial terms: split or guarantee, ticket price, expenses, comps, merch, and payment. See how to read a deal memo.
Co-Bill
Two bands sharing the top of the bill and the promotion equally. See how to book with other bands.
Support Slot
Opening for a bigger act. A shorter set and usually a smaller deal, but you play to their audience. See how to book with other bands.
Show Trade
You book a band from another city in your town, and they book you in theirs. Also called a show swap. See how to book with other bands.
Show Day
Advancing
Confirming every show-day detail with the venue ahead of time: load-in, soundcheck, set time, backline, parking, deal terms, and who you settle with. See how to advance a show.
Load-In
The time and place you bring your gear into the venue.
Backline
The amps and drum kit a venue provides, so bands don't all have to haul their own.
Changeover
The gap between sets while one band clears the stage and the next sets up.
Curfew
The time all music has to stop.
Touring and Contracts
Routing
Putting tour dates in an order that keeps drives short and avoids backtracking. See how to route a tour.
Dead Miles
Miles you drive with no show at the end of them, usually from backtracking. See how to route a tour.
A, B, and C Markets
A way to rank cities by your draw: A markets are strongholds, B markets are where you're building, C markets are new territory. See tour markets explained.
Radius Clause
A contract term that stops you playing within a set distance of a venue for a set time before and after your show. See the radius clause.
Pay-to-Play
When a venue or promoter makes a band buy tickets or pay a fee to perform. Walk away. See when to say no to a show.
Tour Manager
The person who runs the logistics of a tour: advancing, the daily schedule, the guest list, and settlement. See what a tour manager does.
Booking Agent
A professional who books your shows for 10% to 15% of performance income. See when you're ready for a booking agent.
Manager
A professional who runs the business side of your career for 15% to 20% of gross income. See when you're ready for a music manager.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does NBOR mean in a concert deal?
NBOR stands for net box office receipts: what's left of ticket revenue after taxes, facility fees, promoter expenses, and promoter profit. On a promoter profit deal, the artist's percentage is paid on NBOR, not on the gross.
What is the difference between a hold and a confirmed show?
A hold is a tentative place in line for a date and can be released or challenged. A confirmed show has agreed deal terms, a written confirmation or contract, and the venue has told you plainly that you're confirmed.
What is backline at a venue?
Backline is the gear a venue provides on stage, usually a drum kit and amps, so every band on the bill doesn't have to bring its own. Confirm what's included when you advance the show.