This is the sixth and final article in our PLAY series. And it’s all about trust and clarity.
When an artist starts working with an agent, it’s super important they know what to expect, and trust them to get on with it.
Equally, the agent needs to trust the artist to keep their side of the bargain and know what they need to get on with.
Of course, good communication is key. But it’s also important to spell things out in writing. We call this the Terms of Business
Why trust and clarity matter
As we explored in What Agents Do and What They Don’t Do and How Artists Stand Out to an Agent, clear expectations are the foundation of any successful working relationship.
Before an agency can charge a fee, UK law requires us to issue Terms of Business. This agreement must be in writing and signed by the artist, or someone authorised on their behalf.
At Midnight Mango, we prefer the artist to sign rather than a manager. Why? Because we want the artist to understand exactly what working with us involves.
We then countersign to confirm our commitment too.
We know contracts can make some artists and managers cautious, especially those who’ve been burned in the past. That’s why we reassure them:
✅ The agreement protects the artist as much as the agency
✅ It provides clarity about expectations on both sides
✅ It can be ended easily if needed
✅ And it’s legally required before we start booking
What must be included?
Under UK law, Terms of Business must cover:
- The work-finding services provided
- Authority to act on the artist’s behalf
- Authorisations to handle incoming payments
- Fees or commission rates and how they’re paid
- Refund arrangements (if applicable)
- Notice periods for termination
Other situations we include
In common with other agencies in our sector we agree
- Territory – regions the agency represents the artist
- Exclusivity – whether the agency is the sole booker
- Subcontracting – when third-party bookers may be used
Some agencies also include additional services, like advancing shows.
But at Midnight Mango, we focus on what we do best: booking live shows.
That’s not to say we don’t help in other areas, we do. But we do it by joining the dots, as we explored in How Agents Help Artists Join the Dots.
Wrapping Up the PLAY Series
This series has been about giving artists a behind-the-scenes look at how we work, and what we expect before considering representation.
We get asked about this a lot!
That’s why we keep all six articles in the PLAY section of our website.
If you’re sure you’ve covered everything we’ve raised in these articles, and you’re ready for the next step, get in touch. Let’s talk about how we can help grow your live career.
Further Reading:
https://www.gov.uk/entertainment-and-modelling-agencies/terms-and-conditions
