The Radius Clause: What It Is and Why It Matters
Signed a show in Portland? You might not be able to play within 60 miles of it for a month. How radius clauses work and what you can push back on.
By Team Roadi · Updated · 3 min read
Part of The Stuff Nobody Tells You: Music Business Basics for Indie Bands, from The Indie Band Survival Guide.
Quick Reference
A radius clause is a contract term that prevents you from playing another show within a certain distance and time window of the booked show. Common terms: no shows within 60 miles for 30 days before and after, or no shows within 90 miles for 14 days.
This exists to protect the promoter's investment. If they're spending money to promote your show, they don't want you playing across town the night before and splitting your audience.
How It Works
A radius clause will be written into your contract or deal memo. It looks something like:
"Artist agrees not to perform within a 60-mile radius of the venue for 30 days prior to and 14 days following the engagement."
This means if your show is April 15 in Portland, you cannot play any venue within 60 miles of Portland between March 16 and April 29.
Why It Exists
From the venue's or promoter's perspective, this makes sense. They're putting money into marketing your show. They want your audience to have one option: their show. If you play a bar across town two nights before, some of your fans will go to that show instead and skip the one the promoter is paying to promote.
Why It Matters to You
Routing impact. If you have a radius clause in Portland, you can't play a house show in a Portland suburb the night before. You can't play a record store in-store on your way through. You need to plan your tour route around these exclusions.
Festival conflicts. Radius clauses are especially common in festival contracts. A festival might restrict you from playing within 100 to 150 miles for 60 to 90 days. This can effectively block you from an entire region for a whole season.
Stacking shows. If you're trying to play two shows in the same market in one trip (to maximize the drive), a radius clause might prevent the second one.
What to Negotiate
The distance. 30 miles is reasonable for a small market. 60 miles is standard. 90 to 100 miles is aggressive. If the radius is wider than the market itself, push back.
The time window. 14 days before and after is common and reasonable. 30 days is more restrictive. 60+ days (common in festival contracts) can be a real problem for active touring bands.
Exceptions. Ask for exceptions for "non-competing" events: a record store in-store, a radio session, a private event, a different genre showcase. Some venues will agree.
When you have no leverage. At the DIY level, you probably won't negotiate radius clauses. They'll be in the contract, and you'll either accept them or not play the show. That's fine. Just know they're there and route accordingly.
How to Avoid Killing Your Own Dates
Even without a formal radius clause, playing too close to another show in time and distance will hurt both shows. This is an unwritten rule that works the same way.
If you have a show in Portland on Friday, don't book a show in Portland on the following Tuesday. Your friends won't come to both. The Tuesday show will be thin, and the venue will remember that.
Give each market breathing room. 4 to 6 weeks between shows in the same city. More is better.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a radius clause?
A radius clause is a contract term that bars you from playing within a set distance of the venue for a set time before and after your show, for example no shows within 60 miles for 30 days before and 14 days after.
Why do venues use radius clauses?
To protect the promoter's investment. If they're paying to market your show, they don't want your fans choosing a different show across town that week instead.
Can you negotiate a radius clause?
Sometimes. Push back if the radius is wider than the market or the window runs 60 days or more, and ask for exceptions like in-stores, radio sessions, and private events. Early on you may have no leverage, so route around it.