ArtistHQ
Blog
Practical guides on touring, money, merch, releases, and the business of being in a band — written for musicians who mean business.
27 June 2026 · 6 min read
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 versus DIY — so your crew wants to tour with you again.
24 June 2026 · 6 min read
Your contact list is your career: building a venue and promoter rolodex
The bands that keep touring are the ones who remember who booked them, who paid on time, and who to call next. How to build a contact list that books the next show.
21 June 2026 · 7 min read
Build a release plan: the 8-week countdown from master to drop
A week-by-week release plan for independent artists: when to deliver to DSPs, set up pre-saves, announce, and line up the video — so release day isn't a scramble.
18 June 2026 · 6 min read
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.
16 June 2026 · 6 min read
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. Here's a checklist of what to ask, and when.
13 June 2026 · 7 min read
How to budget a DIY tour without losing your shirt
A practical, line-by-line way to budget an independent tour — fixed vs per-show costs, the break-even number that actually matters, and how to track it on the road.
13 June 2026 · 6 min read
Tour settlement explained: how to read a venue settlement sheet
Learn 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.
13 June 2026 · 5 min read
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.
13 June 2026 · 5 min read
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.
13 June 2026 · 5 min read
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.
13 June 2026 · 7 min read
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.