You submitted your detailed offer, complete with what you can and cannot provide the artist. The artist accepted – YAY! Now you received your contract and there are things listed on the rider that you never agreed to provide.
Airfare?
Hotels?!
Single Malt Scotch?!!
How could they ask for those items when you clearly stated they weren’t being provided?
Let us explain:
Most artists have a reusable, static rider template that they use for all dates, and they do not edit it for each individual date before sending along to the buyer. Most contracts however, list your show-specific details on their face page. Make sure the contract face page has the details correct, as this supersedes the rider. The contract is what binds each party to the details listed right there on those very first pages. But, the artist team typically will just send the same, unedited rider to all buyers.
They fully expect you to edit that rider and cross off anything that is not a part of your particular agreement. That means if you did not offer airfare and they accepted your offer without it, you can cross off flight requests. Same goes for hotel needs, transportation, alcohol, or anything that you specifically cannot provide and could not offer.
Think of a rider as a guide for the ideal scenario for an artist.
Of course they would love all of those rider requests to be provided and fulfilled. However, they will understand if you are not able to accommodate all of the requests – especially very large expenses that you did not offer like travel, hotels, and very specific ground transportation vehicles.
Keep in mind that a rider is all negotiable and should be discussed during the advance. It’s important to ensure there are no surprises for the artist touring personnel on day of show.
Jolene Chevalier
Founder & Talent Buyer | How To Concerts
Jolene has been a middle buyer for over a decade, helping colleges and others with their concerts, comedians, and speakers. (And, yes, she is named after the Dolly Parton song.) She would love to talk with you about helping to book, plan, and prepare for your event.
Jolene Chevalier
Founder & Talent Buyer | How To Concerts
Jolene has been a middle buyer for over a decade, helping colleges and others with their concerts, comedians, and speakers. (And, yes, she is named after the Dolly Parton song.) She would love to talk with you about helping to book, plan, and prepare for your event.
