Datasets:

gigxchange
/

uk-live-music-glossary

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a-r	A&R	Artist & Repertoire, the record-label function that scouts, signs and develops new artists. UK A&R reps work for major and indie labels and frequently attend grassroots showcase gigs in London, Manchester, Brighton and Glasgow. Less directly tied to the live booking market than to artist development, but a support slot...	A	[ "artist", "promoter" ]	general	true	[ "support-slot", "booking", "artist" ]	https://gigxchange.app/glossary#term-a-r	GigXchange UK Live Music Glossary	CC BY 4.0
acoustic	Acoustic	A performance style using non-amplified or lightly amplified instruments, typically vocal with acoustic guitar, piano or upright bass. In the UK pub and wedding market, ‘acoustic’ usually signals a solo or duo background-music booking rather than a full-band PA setup.	A	[ "artist", "venue" ]	act-types	false	[ "booking", "duo" ]	https://gigxchange.app/glossary#term-acoustic	GigXchange UK Live Music Glossary	CC BY 4.0
advance	Advance	The pre-gig admin process where the venue or promoter confirms logistics with the artist, stage times, load-in, parking, rider, tech spec, payment terms. ‘Advancing a show’ typically happens 1–2 weeks out and is usually led by the promoter’s production manager or the venue’s bookings contact.	A	[ "artist", "venue", "promoter" ]	logistics	false	[ "promoter", "load-in", "artist", "rider", "venue" ]	https://gigxchange.app/glossary#term-advance	GigXchange UK Live Music Glossary	CC BY 4.0
agent	Agent	A booking agent represents a roster of artists, pitching them to venues, promoters and festivals and negotiating fees on their behalf. UK agents typically earn 10–20% commission on confirmed bookings. Agents differ from managers (career strategy) and promoters (event-side risk).	A	[ "artist", "venue", "agent", "promoter" ]	roles	false	[ "booking" ]	https://gigxchange.app/glossary#term-agent	GigXchange UK Live Music Glossary	CC BY 4.0
artist	Artist	Any musician, band, DJ, solo act, or performer who creates a profile on GigXchange to be discovered and booked for live performances. Artists upload media, set their fee range and availability, and receive booking enquiries from venues and promoters.	A	[ "artist", "venue", "agent", "promoter" ]	roles	false	[ "availability", "solo-act", "booking", "profile", "fee" ]	https://gigxchange.app/glossary#term-artist	GigXchange UK Live Music Glossary	CC BY 4.0
availability	Availability	The dates an artist has marked as free for bookings on their in-platform calendar. Venues and promoters can see an artist’s availability when browsing their profile, making it easy to identify who is free on a given date.	A	[ "artist", "venue", "agent" ]	booking	false	[ "profile", "artist" ]	https://gigxchange.app/glossary#term-availability	GigXchange UK Live Music Glossary	CC BY 4.0
backline	Backline	The stage instruments and amps actually used by the performers, guitar amps, bass amps, drum kit, keyboard rigs. Shared backline at multi-band shows can save 10–15 minutes per changeover. The rider will specify whether backline is provided by the venue or brought by the artist.	B	[ "artist", "venue" ]	technical	false	[ "changeover", "artist", "rider", "venue" ]	https://gigxchange.app/glossary#term-backline	GigXchange UK Live Music Glossary	CC BY 4.0
balance	Balance	The outstanding portion of the agreed fee, payable after the deposit. Common UK structures: 50% deposit on booking, 50% balance on the night or within 7 days of the gig. On GigXchange, balance is held in escrow via Stripe and released automatically on completion.	B	[ "artist", "venue", "agent" ]	fee	false	[ "deposit", "booking", "fee" ]	https://gigxchange.app/glossary#term-balance	GigXchange UK Live Music Glossary	CC BY 4.0
bmg	BMG	BMG Rights Management, one of the largest independent music publishers globally, with a significant UK presence. For live music, BMG matters mainly for publishing-rights clearance on original material; most grassroots UK acts will encounter BMG (if at all) through sync, not live.	B	[ "artist" ]	industry-bodies	true	[]	https://gigxchange.app/glossary#term-bmg	GigXchange UK Live Music Glossary	CC BY 4.0
booker	Booker	The person at a venue, festival or promotion company who decides which acts get booked. In smaller UK pubs the landlord is the booker; in mid-size venues it is a dedicated bookings manager; at festivals it is usually the head of programming or talent buyer.	B	[ "artist", "venue", "agent", "promoter" ]	roles	false	[ "talent-buyer", "festival", "venue" ]	https://gigxchange.app/glossary#term-booker	GigXchange UK Live Music Glossary	CC BY 4.0
booking	Booking	A confirmed agreement between an artist and a venue (or promoter) for a live performance on a specific date, with agreed terms, fee, and payment handled through the platform. Bookings follow a structured workflow from enquiry through to completion and review. See how UK artists land bookings in practice.	B	[ "artist", "venue", "agent", "promoter" ]	booking	false	[ "promoter", "enquiry", "artist", "review", "venue", "fee" ]	https://gigxchange.app/glossary#term-booking	GigXchange UK Live Music Glossary	CC BY 4.0
bpi	BPI	British Phonographic Industry, the UK trade body for recorded music labels. BPI runs the BRIT Awards and the Official Charts with OCC. Relevant to live music mainly through artist-development schemes and the Music Exports Growth Scheme (MEGS).	B	[ "artist", "promoter" ]	industry-bodies	true	[ "artist" ]	https://gigxchange.app/glossary#term-bpi	GigXchange UK Live Music Glossary	CC BY 4.0
busking	Busking	Performing in public spaces (streets, transport hubs, markets) for tips. UK busking is regulated locally, some councils require permits (Camden, Westminster, Liverpool), others operate freely. Busking remains a core income stream and live-craft training ground for early-career UK musicians, and a route to be discovered...	B	[ "artist" ]	performance	false	[]	https://gigxchange.app/glossary#term-busking	GigXchange UK Live Music Glossary	CC BY 4.0
buy-on	Buy-on	A practice where a support act pays the headliner or promoter for a slot on a tour or bill. Widely considered exploitative on the UK grassroots circuit and distinct from legitimate tour-support investment. Reputable UK agents and the Musicians’ Union discourage it.	B	[ "artist", "promoter" ]	booking	false	[ "mu", "headliner", "promoter" ]	https://gigxchange.app/glossary#term-buy-on	GigXchange UK Live Music Glossary	CC BY 4.0
buyout	Buyout	An all-inclusive fee that covers the performance plus travel, accommodation and any other expenses — the booker pays one number and the artist absorbs all costs. Common in UK corporate and festival bookings where the client wants budget certainty. Contrast with fee-plus-expenses, where travel and accommodation are item...	B	[ "artist", "venue", "agent", "promoter" ]	fee	false	[ "fee", "travel-expenses", "festival", "artist", "booker" ]	https://gigxchange.app/glossary#term-buyout	GigXchange UK Live Music Glossary	CC BY 4.0
capacity	Capacity	The maximum number of people a venue can legally hold, set by the premises licence and fire risk assessment. UK grassroots venues typically range from 80 to 500 capacity. Capacity determines ticket pricing strategy, PA requirements, staffing levels and insurance thresholds.	C	[ "venue", "promoter" ]	venue-types	false	[ "grassroots-venue", "pa-system", "venue" ]	https://gigxchange.app/glossary#term-capacity	GigXchange UK Live Music Glossary	CC BY 4.0
call-time	Call Time	The time the artist is required to arrive at the venue, typically expressed separately from load-in and soundcheck. A 5pm call time means the artist must be on site by 5pm, ready to load in, even if doors are not until 7:30pm.	C	[ "artist", "venue" ]	logistics	false	[ "soundcheck", "load-in", "artist", "doors", "venue" ]	https://gigxchange.app/glossary#term-call-time	GigXchange UK Live Music Glossary	CC BY 4.0
cancellation-fee	Cancellation Fee	A pre-agreed sum owed if a booking is cancelled by either party within a set window. Typical UK tiers: 100% of fee if cancelled inside 14 days, 50% inside 30 days, deposit retained beyond that. Should always be set out in the contract before booking is confirmed.	C	[ "artist", "venue", "agent", "promoter" ]	fee	false	[ "contract", "booking", "deposit", "fee" ]	https://gigxchange.app/glossary#term-cancellation-fee	GigXchange UK Live Music Glossary	CC BY 4.0
cancellation-policy	Cancellation Policy	The full terms governing what happens if a gig is called off, who owes what, by when, and under which circumstances. A complete policy covers artist cancellation, venue cancellation, force majeure, reschedule rights, and deposit forfeiture. Required in any professional UK performance contract.	C	[ "artist", "venue", "agent", "promoter" ]	legal	false	[ "force-majeure", "deposit", "contract", "artist", "venue" ]	https://gigxchange.app/glossary#term-cancellation-policy	GigXchange UK Live Music Glossary	CC BY 4.0
changeover	Changeover	The time between one act finishing and the next starting on a multi-act bill — typically 15–30 minutes at UK grassroots shows, used to strike and reset backline, swap monitor mixes and line-check. Tight changeovers are the single biggest logistical pressure on multi-band nights and a key factor in building the running ...	C	[ "artist", "venue", "promoter" ]	logistics	false	[ "backline", "monitors", "running-order" ]	https://gigxchange.app/glossary#term-changeover	GigXchange UK Live Music Glossary	CC BY 4.0
ceilidh	Ceilidh	A traditional Scottish or Irish social dance event with live folk music and a caller who instructs the dancers. Ceilidh bands are a distinct UK booking category, especially for Burns Night, weddings and hogmanay, with a strongly established fee expectation.	C	[ "artist", "venue" ]	act-types	false	[ "booking", "fee" ]	https://gigxchange.app/glossary#term-ceilidh	GigXchange UK Live Music Glossary	CC BY 4.0
comp-tickets	Comp Tickets	Complimentary (free) tickets allocated to the artist, crew or promoter for a ticketed show. UK grassroots norms are typically 2–4 comps per support act and 4–8 for the headliner. Comp allocation is a standard line in the booking advance because every comp reduces paid attendance.	C	[ "artist", "venue", "promoter" ]	booking	false	[ "promoter", "support-slot", "headliner", "advance", "booking", "artist" ]	https://gigxchange.app/glossary#term-comp-tickets	GigXchange UK Live Music Glossary	CC BY 4.0
club-night	Club Night	A regular DJ-led or curated event at a venue, usually themed by genre (indie, drum & bass, disco, techno) and running late. Club nights typically pay headline DJs a fee plus door percentage; opening and mid-slot DJs are often paid less or on a performance-cap basis.	C	[ "artist", "venue", "promoter" ]	event-types	false	[ "venue", "fee" ]	https://gigxchange.app/glossary#term-club-night	GigXchange UK Live Music Glossary	CC BY 4.0
curfew	Curfew	The time by which all amplified music must stop, set by the venue’s premises licence or local noise conditions. UK pub curfews are commonly 11pm or 11:30pm; late-licence clubs may run to 2–4am. Missing curfew can result in licence review or fines, so it is enforced strictly — always confirm curfew during the advance.	C	[ "artist", "venue", "promoter" ]	logistics	false	[ "noise-restrictions", "advance", "review", "venue" ]	https://gigxchange.app/glossary#term-curfew	GigXchange UK Live Music Glossary	CC BY 4.0
consent	Consent	Under UK GDPR, the legal basis for processing personal data where the individual has given clear affirmative agreement. For marketing emails to individuals, consent is usually the required basis under PECR. Pre-ticked boxes and silence do not count as consent.	C	[ "venue", "agent", "promoter" ]	legal	false	[ "gdpr" ]	https://gigxchange.app/glossary#term-consent	GigXchange UK Live Music Glossary	CC BY 4.0
contract	Contract	The written performance agreement between artist and venue/promoter covering fee, date, times, cancellation, rider, and liability. On GigXchange, a digital contract is auto-generated from the booking terms and signed by both parties before the deposit is held.	C	[ "artist", "venue", "agent", "promoter" ]	legal	false	[ "promoter", "booking", "deposit", "artist", "rider", "venue", "fee" ]	https://gigxchange.app/glossary#term-contract	GigXchange UK Live Music Glossary	CC BY 4.0
corporate-event	Corporate Event	A private booking for a company, awards night, product launch, Christmas party, conference entertainment. Corporate fees in the UK are typically 2–4x the equivalent pub rate for the same act, with tighter dress code, set-length and content expectations.	C	[ "artist", "venue", "agent" ]	event-types	false	[ "booking" ]	https://gigxchange.app/glossary#term-corporate-event	GigXchange UK Live Music Glossary	CC BY 4.0
covers-band	Covers Band	A band whose setlist is built from other artists’ songs rather than originals. In the UK, covers bands dominate the pub, wedding, corporate and private-party market. PRS royalties apply to the original songwriters; the covers band do not need separate licensing beyond the venue’s existing PRS cover.	C	[ "artist", "venue" ]	act-types	false	[ "prs-for-music", "setlist", "venue" ]	https://gigxchange.app/glossary#term-covers-band	GigXchange UK Live Music Glossary	CC BY 4.0
day-rate	Day Rate	A flat fee for a full day’s work rather than a per-song or per-set rate. Common in UK session, corporate and festival contexts where the artist may be required for rehearsals, soundcheck, multiple sets or standby time across the day. Day rates are typically 1.5–2× a single-set evening fee.	D	[ "artist", "venue", "agent" ]	fee	false	[ "fee", "corporate-event", "festival", "soundcheck", "artist" ]	https://gigxchange.app/glossary#term-day-rate	GigXchange UK Live Music Glossary	CC BY 4.0
dep	Dep / Depping	A ‘dep’ is a deputy musician who covers for a regular member of a band who can’t make a gig. Common in UK function, theatre and residency gigs. Depping is a significant income stream for jobbing session players and requires the ability to learn a setlist fast.	D	[ "artist" ]	roles	false	[ "residency", "setlist" ]	https://gigxchange.app/glossary#term-dep	GigXchange UK Live Music Glossary	CC BY 4.0
deposit	Deposit	An upfront payment made by the booker to secure the booking, typically 20–50% of the total fee. The deposit confirms the date and is usually non-refundable inside the cancellation window. On GigXchange, deposits are held in escrow via Stripe and released with the balance on completion.	D	[ "artist", "venue", "agent", "promoter" ]	fee	false	[ "balance", "booking", "booker", "fee" ]	https://gigxchange.app/glossary#term-deposit	GigXchange UK Live Music Glossary	CC BY 4.0
di-box	DI Box	Direct Injection box, a small device that converts a high-impedance instrument signal (e.g. bass, acoustic guitar pickup, keyboard) into a balanced mic-level signal the sound engineer can plug into the mixing desk. Most UK venues have DIs available; high-end riders often specify preferred brands (Radial, BSS).	D	[ "artist", "venue" ]	technical	true	[ "acoustic" ]	https://gigxchange.app/glossary#term-di-box	GigXchange UK Live Music Glossary	CC BY 4.0
discover-carousel	Discover Carousel	A featured-artist carousel on the GigXchange dashboard surfaced to venues, agents, and promoters. Featured artists rotate based on activity, profile completeness, and verification status, giving complete profiles extra exposure beyond search.	D	[ "artist", "venue" ]	marketing	false	[ "profile", "artist" ]	https://gigxchange.app/glossary#term-discover-carousel	GigXchange UK Live Music Glossary	CC BY 4.0
dj-set	DJ Set	A performance by a DJ mixing recorded tracks, typically 1–4 hours. UK DJ bookings range from wedding receptions and corporate parties to club residencies and festival slots. Fees vary from £150 for a local wedding DJ to £10,000+ for a club headliner.	D	[ "artist", "venue" ]	act-types	true	[ "headliner", "festival" ]	https://gigxchange.app/glossary#term-dj-set	GigXchange UK Live Music Glossary	CC BY 4.0
doors	Doors	The time the venue opens to ticket-holders or general public. Doors is distinct from stage time, a 7:30pm doors / 9pm stage means attendees have 90 minutes of the venue’s bar trade before the act goes on. Doors time is a key line on any gig poster.	D	[ "artist", "venue", "promoter" ]	logistics	false	[ "stage-time", "venue" ]	https://gigxchange.app/glossary#term-doors	GigXchange UK Live Music Glossary	CC BY 4.0
door-split	Door Split	An arrangement where ticket revenue is divided between artist and venue/promoter. UK grassroots variants include 70/30 in the artist’s favour, 80/20 after the venue’s hire costs are recouped, and sliding scales triggered by headcount. On deposit-based bookings door split is rare; on ticketed club shows it is standard.	D	[ "artist", "venue", "promoter" ]	fee	false	[ "headcount", "promoter", "deposit", "artist", "venue" ]	https://gigxchange.app/glossary#term-door-split	GigXchange UK Live Music Glossary	CC BY 4.0
dry-hire	Dry Hire	A venue rental without in-house sound, lighting, staffing or promotion, the booker brings everything. Dry hire is common for one-off promoter gigs in converted warehouses, church halls, and multi-use spaces. Cheaper per-night than a wet hire but the booker carries all production risk.	D	[ "venue", "promoter" ]	venue-types	false	[ "promoter", "wet-hire", "booker", "venue" ]	https://gigxchange.app/glossary#term-dry-hire	GigXchange UK Live Music Glossary	CC BY 4.0
duo	Duo	A two-piece act, typically vocal and guitar, vocal and piano, or two vocalists with backing. Pub, wedding and restaurant bookings often specify duo over full band for space, volume or budget reasons. Duo fees in the UK typically sit at 60–70% of a 4-piece covers band rate.	D	[ "artist", "venue" ]	act-types	false	[ "covers-band" ]	https://gigxchange.app/glossary#term-duo	GigXchange UK Live Music Glossary	CC BY 4.0
encore	Encore	One or more songs performed after the main setlist ends, traditionally in response to sustained audience applause. UK headline acts typically build a 1–3 song encore into the running order; covers and function bands more often respond to demand on the night. Earning a genuine encore (not a planned one) is a strong sign...	E	[ "artist" ]	performance	false	[ "covers-band", "function-band", "review", "running-order", "setlist" ]	https://gigxchange.app/glossary#term-encore	GigXchange UK Live Music Glossary	CC BY 4.0
enquiry	Enquiry	The initial message sent from a venue or promoter to an artist (or from an artist applying to a gig listing) expressing interest in a booking. Enquiries are the first step in the booking process and are handled through the platform’s messaging system.	E	[ "artist", "venue", "agent", "promoter" ]	booking	false	[ "gig-listing", "promoter", "booking", "artist", "venue" ]	https://gigxchange.app/glossary#term-enquiry	GigXchange UK Live Music Glossary	CC BY 4.0
epk	EPK (Electronic Press Kit)	A digital portfolio used by musicians to pitch themselves to venues, promoters, agents, festivals, and the press. A traditional EPK is a static PDF or paid hosted website. A GigXchange artist profile is a fully featured digital EPK that auto-updates as your gigs and content change, lives on a clean shareable URL, and c...	E	[ "artist", "agent" ]	marketing	true	[ "booking", "profile", "artist" ]	https://gigxchange.app/glossary#term-epk	GigXchange UK Live Music Glossary	CC BY 4.0
equity	Equity	The UK trade union for performers and creative practitioners, including many working musicians, MDs, dancers and variety acts. Equity publishes minimum rate cards for theatre and television work that often inform live-music negotiations at the higher end of the market.	E	[ "artist" ]	industry-bodies	false	[]	https://gigxchange.app/glossary#term-equity	GigXchange UK Live Music Glossary	CC BY 4.0
explore	Explore	The search and discovery section of GigXchange. Users browse artist and venue profiles using filters for genre, location, fee range, rating, and availability. Explore includes audio playback and video previews so users can evaluate performers without leaving the platform.	E	[ "artist", "venue", "agent", "promoter" ]	platform	false	[ "availability", "artist", "venue", "fee" ]	https://gigxchange.app/glossary#term-explore	GigXchange UK Live Music Glossary	CC BY 4.0
fee	Fee	The total performance payment agreed between artist and booker, usually quoted as a single figure covering the performance (not the door split). UK fees vary enormously, £80 pub solo, £1,200 wedding 4-piece, £5,000+ festival headliner, and should always be expressed as take-home, pre-agency commission...	F	[ "artist", "venue", "agent", "promoter" ]	fee	false	[ "door-split", "headliner", "festival", "artist", "booker" ]	https://gigxchange.app/glossary#term-fee	GigXchange UK Live Music Glossary	CC BY 4.0
festival	Festival	A multi-artist event, usually over one or more days, curated around a theme, genre or location. UK festival fees are typically paid as a single guarantee, with artist bearing travel and accommodation unless otherwise negotiated. Slot position (opening, sub-headline, headline) materially affects fee.	F	[ "artist", "venue", "agent", "promoter" ]	event-types	false	[ "guarantee", "artist", "fee" ]	https://gigxchange.app/glossary#term-festival	GigXchange UK Live Music Glossary	CC BY 4.0
first-refusal	First Refusal	The right to match a competing offer before a booking is given to another act — typically granted by a venue to a preferred artist or by an agent to a priority client. ‘Right of first refusal’ is an informal but widely understood convention on the UK circuit, rarely written into contracts at grassroots level but standa...	F	[ "artist", "venue", "agent" ]	booking	false	[ "agent", "booking", "artist", "venue" ]	https://gigxchange.app/glossary#term-first-refusal	GigXchange UK Live Music Glossary	CC BY 4.0
fold-back	Fold-back	British English term for on-stage monitoring, the sound sent back to the performers so they can hear themselves and each other. Fold-back can be via wedge monitors on the floor or in-ear monitors. Poor fold-back is the single most common technical complaint on UK grassroots stages.	F	[ "artist", "venue" ]	technical	false	[ "monitors" ]	https://gigxchange.app/glossary#term-fold-back	GigXchange UK Live Music Glossary	CC BY 4.0
force-majeure	Force Majeure	A contract clause excusing performance when an unforeseeable event (flood, pandemic, national emergency) makes the gig impossible. The 2020–21 COVID period triggered widespread use of force majeure in UK live-music contracts. Well-drafted clauses specify what happens to the deposit.	F	[ "artist", "venue", "agent", "promoter" ]	legal	false	[ "contract", "deposit" ]	https://gigxchange.app/glossary#term-force-majeure	GigXchange UK Live Music Glossary	CC BY 4.0
front-of-house-engineer	Front-of-house Engineer	The FOH engineer mixes the sound the audience hears. EQ, levels, effects, dynamics. At UK grassroots venues FOH is often the in-house sound engineer; touring acts may bring their own FOH. ‘FOH’ can also refer to the mixing desk position itself, usually at the back of the room.	F	[ "artist", "venue" ]	technical	false	[]	https://gigxchange.app/glossary#term-front-of-house-engineer	GigXchange UK Live Music Glossary	CC BY 4.0
function-band	Function Band	A band built for private events (weddings, corporate, parties) playing a broad mix of crowd-pleasing covers across eras. UK function bands typically offer 4–6 piece configurations, sometimes with DJ add-ons. It is one of the most reliably paid corners of the UK live market — browse function bands by city.	F	[ "artist", "venue", "agent" ]	act-types	false	[]	https://gigxchange.app/glossary#term-function-band	GigXchange UK Live Music Glossary	CC BY 4.0
function-set	Function Set	The setlist format used by function and wedding bands, typically two 45–60 minute sets with a break in between, covering a rolling decade-by-decade selection plus current chart hits. Often paired with a DJ or playlist service during the break and after the band finishes.	F	[ "artist", "venue" ]	performance	false	[ "setlist" ]	https://gigxchange.app/glossary#term-function-set	GigXchange UK Live Music Glossary	CC BY 4.0
gdpr	GDPR	UK General Data Protection Regulation, the data-protection framework governing how personal data is collected, stored and processed in the UK. Venues and artists processing contact details, booking records or marketing lists must comply — including paying the ICO data protection fee if you handle personal data outside ...	G	[ "artist", "venue", "agent", "promoter" ]	legal	true	[ "contract", "booking", "consent", "fee" ]	https://gigxchange.app/glossary#term-gdpr	GigXchange UK Live Music Glossary	CC BY 4.0
gig-listing	Gig Listing	A post created by a venue or promoter describing an available performance slot. Listings include the date, time, genre preferences, budget, and any specific requirements. Artists browse gig listings and apply directly to the ones that match their style and availability.	G	[ "artist", "venue", "promoter" ]	marketing	false	[ "availability", "promoter", "venue" ]	https://gigxchange.app/glossary#term-gig-listing	GigXchange UK Live Music Glossary	CC BY 4.0
grassroots-venue	Grassroots Venue	A small, usually independently operated music venue, typically 80–500 capacity, where emerging and touring artists play early-career shows. Represented by the Music Venue Trust (MVT). Grassroots venues are the foundation of the UK live pipeline and face significant commercial pressure.	G	[ "artist", "venue", "promoter" ]	venue-types	false	[ "mvt", "capacity", "venue" ]	https://gigxchange.app/glossary#term-grassroots-venue	GigXchange UK Live Music Glossary	CC BY 4.0
green-room	Green Room	A backstage room where performers wait, warm up, eat and relax before and between sets. Green rooms vary wildly in UK venues, from a pub’s back corridor to fully fitted dressing suites at mid-sized venues. Rider requirements (food, drink, towels) are typically provided here.	G	[ "artist", "venue" ]	logistics	false	[ "rider" ]	https://gigxchange.app/glossary#term-green-room	GigXchange UK Live Music Glossary	CC BY 4.0
guarantee	Guarantee	A fixed fee the artist is guaranteed regardless of ticket sales or door take. Often paired with a percentage upside: ‘guarantee vs. 80% of net door, whichever is higher’. UK grassroots touring acts frequently negotiate guarantees as protection against low turnout.	G	[ "artist", "venue", "agent", "promoter" ]	fee	false	[ "artist", "fee" ]	https://gigxchange.app/glossary#term-guarantee	GigXchange UK Live Music Glossary	CC BY 4.0
guest-list	Guest List	The list of complimentary admissions held at the door for invitees of the artist, venue or promoter. UK grassroots shows typically cap artist guest lists at 4–8 names per act; ticketed headline shows can extend to 20+. Guest-list pulls reduce paid attendance, so the size and split is a standard line in the booking adva...	G	[ "artist", "venue", "promoter" ]	booking	false	[ "promoter", "advance", "booking", "artist", "venue" ]	https://gigxchange.app/glossary#term-guest-list	GigXchange UK Live Music Glossary	CC BY 4.0
headcount	Headcount	The actual or projected number of people inside the venue for a given show. Headcount drives door-split calculations, bar-take projections, sound-limiter compliance and risk assessments. UK promoters track running headcount through ticket scans; venues typically use door clickers for free-entry shows.	H	[ "venue", "promoter" ]	performance	false	[ "door-split", "sound-limiter", "venue" ]	https://gigxchange.app/glossary#term-headcount	GigXchange UK Live Music Glossary	CC BY 4.0
headliner	Headliner	The top-billed act on a gig, typically performs last and receives the largest share of the fee pool. UK headline sets typically run 60–90 minutes. Headliner status carries marketing obligations (being used to sell the show) and production priority (longest set, preferred soundcheck slot).	H	[ "artist", "venue", "agent", "promoter" ]	roles	false	[ "soundcheck", "fee" ]	https://gigxchange.app/glossary#term-headliner	GigXchange UK Live Music Glossary	CC BY 4.0
help-musicians-uk	Help Musicians UK	An independent UK charity providing financial, health and career support to professional musicians, including hardship funds, mental health services (Music Minds Matter), and development grants. A key safety net for the UK working-musician community.	H	[ "artist" ]	industry-bodies	false	[]	https://gigxchange.app/glossary#term-help-musicians-uk	GigXchange UK Live Music Glossary	CC BY 4.0
hold	Hold / Pencil Booking	A provisional reservation of an artist’s date before a full booking is confirmed — the date is ‘pencilled in’ but not contracted. Standard practice on the UK circuit when a venue or agent is waiting on budget approval, line-up confirmation or client sign-off. A pencil hold is not legally binding; either side can releas...	H	[ "artist", "venue", "agent" ]	booking	false	[ "booking", "agent", "line-up", "artist", "venue" ]	https://gigxchange.app/glossary#term-hold	GigXchange UK Live Music Glossary	CC BY 4.0
holding-fee	Holding Fee	A (usually small) payment made to reserve an artist’s availability on a date before the full booking is confirmed. Less common in UK grassroots markets than in agency-led bookings. Holding fees typically credit against the final fee if the booking proceeds and are forfeited if the booker walks away.	H	[ "artist", "venue", "agent" ]	fee	false	[ "availability", "booking", "artist", "booker", "fee" ]	https://gigxchange.app/glossary#term-holding-fee	GigXchange UK Live Music Glossary	CC BY 4.0
house-band	House Band	A resident band that plays regularly at a specific venue, often weekly. House bands build a loyal audience for the venue and receive either a retainer, a regular per-night fee or a door-split arrangement. Common in UK jazz clubs, blues bars and hotel lounges.	H	[ "artist", "venue" ]	act-types	false	[ "retainer", "fee", "door-split", "venue" ]	https://gigxchange.app/glossary#term-house-band	GigXchange UK Live Music Glossary	CC BY 4.0
in-ears	In-ears	In-ear monitors (IEMs), earpieces that replace stage wedges, delivering a personalised mix directly to the performer. Standard on professional UK tours and increasingly common at mid-tier function bands. Reduce stage volume and protect hearing.	I	[ "artist" ]	technical	false	[ "monitors", "wedges" ]	https://gigxchange.app/glossary#term-in-ears	GigXchange UK Live Music Glossary	CC BY 4.0
input-list	Input List	A technical document listing every audio source on stage and which input channel it maps to on the mixing desk, e.g. ‘Ch1 Kick, Ch2 Snare Top, Ch3 Hi-hat…’. Submitted with the stage plot as part of the rider so the sound engineer can patch the show in advance.	I	[ "artist", "venue" ]	technical	false	[ "stage-plot", "advance", "rider" ]	https://gigxchange.app/glossary#term-input-list	GigXchange UK Live Music Glossary	CC BY 4.0
ir35	IR35	UK tax legislation determining whether someone providing services through their own limited company should be treated as employed or self-employed for tax purposes. Relevant to session musicians and MDs working long-term engagements via a company structure; less relevant to one-off gig fees.	I	[ "artist" ]	legal	true	[]	https://gigxchange.app/glossary#term-ir35	GigXchange UK Live Music Glossary	CC BY 4.0
jam-session	Jam Session	An informal, usually unstructured musical gathering where musicians take turns playing together, often over standard chord progressions or well-known songs. UK jam sessions run at pubs, jazz clubs and rehearsal spaces — distinct from open mics in that all performers play simultaneously rather than taking individual slo...	J	[ "artist" ]	event-types	false	[ "open-mic", "booker" ]	https://gigxchange.app/glossary#term-jam-session	GigXchange UK Live Music Glossary	CC BY 4.0
line-up	Line-up	The full list of acts performing at a gig or festival, in running order. The line-up is a primary marketing asset, how the bill is constructed (genre alignment, draw balance between headliner and support, a buzz-act in the middle slot) often decides how well a show sells. Also used to mean the membership of a band itse...	L	[ "artist", "venue", "promoter" ]	performance	false	[ "headliner", "support-slot", "running-order", "festival", "balance" ]	https://gigxchange.app/glossary#term-line-up	GigXchange UK Live Music Glossary	CC BY 4.0
listening-room	Listening Room	A venue configured so the audience is seated, quiet and focused on the performance, no chatter, no bar service during sets. Common for folk, jazz, acoustic singer-songwriter and spoken-word events. UK examples include the Green Note (London) and the Bush Hall’s seated shows.	L	[ "artist", "venue" ]	venue-types	false	[ "acoustic", "venue" ]	https://gigxchange.app/glossary#term-listening-room	GigXchange UK Live Music Glossary	CC BY 4.0
load-in	Load-in	The time window for the artist to bring gear into the venue and set up on stage. Pub load-ins can be 30 minutes; touring productions can need 4+ hours. The load-in time is usually the earliest point the artist is contractually required on site.	L	[ "artist", "venue" ]	logistics	false	[ "artist", "venue" ]	https://gigxchange.app/glossary#term-load-in	GigXchange UK Live Music Glossary	CC BY 4.0
load-out	Load-out	The process of removing gear from the stage and venue after the gig — the reverse of load-in. UK venue rules on load-out timing vary: some require immediate clearance after the last act; others allow next-morning collection. Load-out access (rear door, lift, street parking) should be confirmed in the advance.	L	[ "artist", "venue" ]	logistics	false	[ "load-in", "advance", "venue" ]	https://gigxchange.app/glossary#term-load-out	GigXchange UK Live Music Glossary	CC BY 4.0
mechanical-rights	Mechanical Rights	The copyright in the reproduction of a musical composition, e.g. pressing CDs, selling downloads, streaming. Distinct from performing rights (PRS) and master recording rights. In the UK, mechanical royalties are collected for songwriters/publishers by MCPS (now integrated with PRS).	M	[ "artist" ]	licensing	false	[ "performing-rights" ]	https://gigxchange.app/glossary#term-mechanical-rights	GigXchange UK Live Music Glossary	CC BY 4.0
merch-split	Merch Split	The percentage of merchandise revenue taken by the venue as a commission on artist merch sales. UK norms range from 0% (most grassroots pubs) to 25% (larger venues and festivals). Merch splits should be agreed in the advance — some artists negotiate a flat pitch fee instead of a percentage.	M	[ "artist", "venue" ]	fee	false	[ "merchandise-table", "advance", "artist", "venue", "fee" ]	https://gigxchange.app/glossary#term-merch-split	GigXchange UK Live Music Glossary	CC BY 4.0
merchandise-table	Merchandise Table	The point-of-sale setup for selling band merch at the gig, t-shirts, vinyl, CDs, posters, signed items. At UK venues, merch is a meaningful revenue stream, especially on low-fee touring gigs. Some venues take a merch cut (typically 10–20%); grassroots venues increasingly waive this.	M	[ "artist", "venue" ]	performance	false	[ "fee" ]	https://gigxchange.app/glossary#term-merchandise-table	GigXchange UK Live Music Glossary	CC BY 4.0
monitors	Monitors	Speakers (wedges) positioned on stage pointing at the performers so they can hear themselves. Can also refer to the engineer who mixes the on-stage sound, separate from the FOH engineer. At smaller UK venues FOH typically doubles as monitor engineer.	M	[ "artist", "venue" ]	technical	false	[ "wedges" ]	https://gigxchange.app/glossary#term-monitors	GigXchange UK Live Music Glossary	CC BY 4.0
mu	MU (Musicians’ Union)	The UK trade union for professional musicians, founded 1893. Publishes minimum recommended rate cards for live, session and teaching work, provides public liability insurance and instrument cover for members, and lobbies government on music policy. Join the MU.	M	[ "artist" ]	industry-bodies	true	[]	https://gigxchange.app/glossary#term-mu	GigXchange UK Live Music Glossary	CC BY 4.0
mvt	MVT (Music Venue Trust)	A UK registered charity protecting, securing and improving UK grassroots music venues. Runs the Music Venue Alliance, which represents 900+ UK grassroots venues, plus the Grassroots Music Venues network and Venues Day. A critical lobbying voice for the bottom of the UK live pipeline.	M	[ "artist", "venue" ]	industry-bodies	true	[ "grassroots-venue", "venue" ]	https://gigxchange.app/glossary#term-mvt	GigXchange UK Live Music Glossary	CC BY 4.0
noise-restrictions	Noise Restrictions	Local-authority or licence conditions limiting sound levels, bass content, or end times at a venue. UK noise restrictions are enforced via the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and premises licences. Common causes: residential complaints, proximity to hospitals, and Sunday trading.	N	[ "artist", "venue", "promoter" ]	venue-types	false	[ "venue" ]	https://gigxchange.app/glossary#term-noise-restrictions	GigXchange UK Live Music Glossary	CC BY 4.0
open-mic	Open Mic	A regular event, usually weekly or monthly at a UK pub or bar, where any performer can sign up on the night for a short slot (typically 2–3 songs or 10–15 minutes). Most are free to attend and unpaid for performers, with a host MC running the order and basic backline (PA, vocal mic, DI). Open mics are the entry point t...	O	[ "artist", "venue" ]	event-types	false	[ "backline", "venue" ]	https://gigxchange.app/glossary#term-open-mic	GigXchange UK Live Music Glossary	CC BY 4.0
originals-act	Originals Act	An artist or band performing material they have written themselves, as opposed to a covers band or tribute act. Originals acts typically earn less per gig on the UK circuit but build catalogue value via recordings, streaming and publishing royalties.	O	[ "artist", "venue" ]	act-types	false	[ "covers-band", "tribute-act", "artist" ]	https://gigxchange.app/glossary#term-originals-act	GigXchange UK Live Music Glossary	CC BY 4.0
pa-system	PA System	The public address system, the amplification chain of mixing desk, power amps and speakers that projects sound to the audience. UK pub PAs might be a 1kW pair of tops; a mid-sized venue runs 5–10kW with subs; festival main stages run line arrays delivering 100kW+.	P	[ "artist", "venue" ]	technical	true	[ "festival", "venue" ]	https://gigxchange.app/glossary#term-pa-system	GigXchange UK Live Music Glossary	CC BY 4.0
pat-test	PAT Test	Portable Appliance Testing, the inspection of electrical equipment (amps, pedals, chargers) for safety. Many UK venues require artist backline to be PAT tested annually, especially corporate and council-run spaces. Stickers are valid for the period stated, typically 12 months.	P	[ "artist", "venue" ]	technical	true	[ "backline", "artist" ]	https://gigxchange.app/glossary#term-pat-test	GigXchange UK Live Music Glossary	CC BY 4.0
pay-to-play	Pay-to-play	A controversial UK promoter model where the act is required to sell a minimum number of tickets to cover room hire, with unsold tickets charged back to the band. Widely criticised by the MU and MVT as exploitative of emerging artists; GigXchange does not permit it.	P	[ "artist", "promoter" ]	booking	false	[ "mu", "mvt", "promoter" ]	https://gigxchange.app/glossary#term-pay-to-play	GigXchange UK Live Music Glossary	CC BY 4.0
performance-licence	Performance Licence	The premises licence permission required under the Licensing Act 2003 to host live music in England and Wales. Many venues operate under the Live Music Act 2012 deregulations, which exempt unamplified or small-venue live music from separate licensing up to certain limits.	P	[ "venue", "promoter" ]	legal	false	[ "venue" ]	https://gigxchange.app/glossary#term-performance-licence	GigXchange UK Live Music Glossary	CC BY 4.0
performing-rights	Performing Rights	The copyright controlling the public performance of musical works. In the UK, performing rights for songwriters and publishers are collectively licensed by PRS for Music. Venues hold a blanket PRS licence; artists do not need a separate performing-rights licence to play covers.	P	[ "artist", "venue" ]	licensing	false	[ "prs-for-music" ]	https://gigxchange.app/glossary#term-performing-rights	GigXchange UK Live Music Glossary	CC BY 4.0
plus-ones	Plus Ones	Additional guest-list entries for the artist’s companions — typically partners, friends or industry contacts. UK grassroots norms are 1–2 plus ones per act on top of the main guest list allocation. Plus ones are separate from comp tickets and should be agreed during the advance.	P	[ "artist", "venue", "promoter" ]	booking	false	[ "guest-list", "comp-tickets", "advance", "artist" ]	https://gigxchange.app/glossary#term-plus-ones	GigXchange UK Live Music Glossary	CC BY 4.0
pli	PLI (Public Liability Insurance)	Insurance covering claims from third parties (audiences, venues, staff) for injury or property damage caused by the artist’s activity. UK venues increasingly require artists to carry minimum £5m or £10m PLI. The Musicians’ Union includes £10m PLI as a standard member benefit.	P	[ "artist", "venue" ]	legal	true	[ "mu", "artist" ]	https://gigxchange.app/glossary#term-pli	GigXchange UK Live Music Glossary	CC BY 4.0
pop-up	Pop-up	A temporary venue configuration (a warehouse, car park, rooftop, disused shop) hosting gigs for a limited run. Pop-ups often operate under TENS (Temporary Event Notices) rather than full premises licences. A fertile source of adventurous UK promoter-led bookings.	P	[ "venue", "promoter" ]	event-types	false	[ "tens", "promoter", "venue" ]	https://gigxchange.app/glossary#term-pop-up	GigXchange UK Live Music Glossary	CC BY 4.0
ppl	PPL	Phonographic Performance Limited, the UK collective management organisation that licences the broadcast and public performance of recorded music and collects royalties for record labels and performers. PPL is separate from PRS; most venues hold both a PRS and a PPL licence under TheMusicLicence joint arrangement.	P	[ "artist", "venue" ]	licensing	true	[ "prs-for-music" ]	https://gigxchange.app/glossary#term-ppl	GigXchange UK Live Music Glossary	CC BY 4.0
private-function	Private Function	A closed, non-ticketed event (wedding, birthday, anniversary, corporate party) where the booker pays a fixed fee and the audience is invited rather than paying at the door. UK private-function fees are typically the highest per-gig rate on the live-music market.	P	[ "artist", "venue", "agent" ]	event-types	false	[ "booker", "fee" ]	https://gigxchange.app/glossary#term-private-function	GigXchange UK Live Music Glossary	CC BY 4.0
profile	Profile	A public page on GigXchange that showcases an artist’s or venue’s details, bio, genre, location, media (audio tracks, video showreels, photos), reviews, and fee information. Profiles have shareable URLs and are indexed by search engines — browse the directory.	P	[ "artist", "venue", "agent", "promoter" ]	marketing	false	[ "showreel", "artist", "venue", "fee" ]	https://gigxchange.app/glossary#term-profile	GigXchange UK Live Music Glossary	CC BY 4.0
promoter	Promoter	The person or company that takes the commercial risk on a gig, booking the act, booking the venue, marketing the show, selling tickets, and keeping the surplus (or absorbing the loss). UK promoters range from bedroom operators running club nights to majors like SJM, Kilimanjaro, and Academy Music Group — see how GigXch...	P	[ "artist", "venue", "agent", "promoter" ]	roles	false	[ "booking", "venue" ]	https://gigxchange.app/glossary#term-promoter	GigXchange UK Live Music Glossary	CC BY 4.0
prs-for-music	PRS for Music	The UK collective management organisation that licences the performing and mechanical rights in songwriters’ and publishers’ compositions and distributes royalties. Venues hosting live or recorded music typically require a PRS (or joint PRS/PPL) licence.	P	[ "artist", "venue" ]	licensing	true	[ "performing-rights", "mechanical-rights", "ppl" ]	https://gigxchange.app/glossary#term-prs-for-music	GigXchange UK Live Music Glossary	CC BY 4.0
pub-gig	Pub Gig	A live music booking in a pub or bar, the workhorse of the UK grassroots circuit. Typically solo, duo or 4-piece covers/originals, one or two 45–60 minute sets, fee paid on the night by bank transfer or cash. A consistent entry-level market for emerging artists.	P	[ "artist", "venue" ]	event-types	false	[ "booking", "duo", "fee" ]	https://gigxchange.app/glossary#term-pub-gig	GigXchange UK Live Music Glossary	CC BY 4.0
quartet	Quartet	A four-piece act. In the UK pop/rock tradition usually vocals/guitar/bass/drums; in jazz often sax/piano/bass/drums; in classical strings two violins/viola/cello. The default size for UK function bands and small wedding bands.	Q	[ "artist", "venue" ]	act-types	false	[]	https://gigxchange.app/glossary#term-quartet	GigXchange UK Live Music Glossary	CC BY 4.0
residency	Residency	A recurring booking at the same venue, usually weekly or monthly, where a single artist or curator runs the slot for an extended run. UK residencies range from a pub’s Thursday-night singer-songwriter slot to a club DJ’s monthly Saturday. Residencies offer stable income, a built-in audience and a place to test new mate...	R	[ "artist", "venue" ]	performance	false	[ "retainer", "booking", "artist", "venue", "fee" ]	https://gigxchange.app/glossary#term-residency	GigXchange UK Live Music Glossary	CC BY 4.0
retainer	Retainer	A recurring fee paid to an artist or MD for ongoing availability over a fixed period, common in residency gigs and corporate entertainment partnerships. Less common in one-off gig bookings; the UK functional equivalent is usually a holding fee or multi-date contract.	R	[ "artist", "venue", "agent" ]	fee	false	[ "availability", "holding-fee", "residency", "contract", "artist", "fee" ]	https://gigxchange.app/glossary#term-retainer	GigXchange UK Live Music Glossary	CC BY 4.0
review	Review	A star rating and written feedback left by both the artist and the venue after a completed booking. Reviews are public on profiles and help other users assess reliability, professionalism, and quality before making a booking decision.	R	[ "artist", "venue" ]	booking	false	[ "booking", "artist", "venue" ]	https://gigxchange.app/glossary#term-review	GigXchange UK Live Music Glossary	CC BY 4.0
running-order	Running Order	The sequence in which acts perform on a multi-act bill, including stage times, changeover windows and curfew. The running order is typically set by the promoter or headliner and communicated in the advance. Soundcheck priority and fee both correlate with position on the running order.	R	[ "artist", "venue", "promoter" ]	logistics	false	[ "stage-time", "changeover", "curfew", "promoter", "headliner", "advance", "soundcheck", "fee" ]	https://gigxchange.app/glossary#term-running-order	GigXchange UK Live Music Glossary	CC BY 4.0
rider	Rider	The document specifying the artist’s requirements for the performance, technical rider (PA, backline, monitors, power, stage size) and hospitality rider (food, drink, towels, dressing room). UK grassroots riders are typically modest; festival and corporate riders can be extensive and negotiated line-by-line.	R	[ "artist", "venue", "agent" ]	performance	false	[ "backline", "festival", "monitors", "artist" ]	https://gigxchange.app/glossary#term-rider	GigXchange UK Live Music Glossary	CC BY 4.0

End of preview. Expand in Data Studio

UK Live Music Industry Glossary

The canonical structured glossary of UK live music industry terminology, published by GigXchange under CC BY 4.0.

Overview

Metric	Value
Terms defined	125
QA pairs	145
Role tags	4 (artist, venue, agent, promoter)
Categories	15
Cross-references	348 inter-term links
Language	British English (en-GB)
Domain	UK live music booking, performance, licensing, contracts

Splits

`definitions` (125 rows)

One row per term: slug, display name, plain-text definition, letter group, role tags, category, acronym flag, cross-referenced term slugs, canonical URL.

`qa` (145 rows)

125 definition-derived QA pairs ("What is a {term} in UK live music?" → definition) plus 20 editorial FAQ pairs from the glossary's FAQPage JSON-LD schema.

Use cases

Domain adaptation — fine-tune language models on UK music industry terminology
Retrieval-augmented generation — ground music-industry chatbots in verified definitions
QA evaluation — benchmark extractive/generative QA on a niche professional domain
Named entity recognition — identify music industry terms in unstructured text
Text classification — classify content by industry role (artist/venue/agent/promoter)

Role distribution

Role	Terms
artist	117
venue	105
promoter	50
agent	40

Category distribution

Category	Terms
technical	14
logistics	13
act-types	12
booking	11
fee	11
roles	10
performance	9
legal	9
event-types	8
marketing	8
industry-bodies	7
venue-types	6
licensing	5
general	1
platform	1

Source

All definitions are written by a working UK musician with 17 years of live performance experience. The glossary is maintained at gigxchange.app/glossary with DefinedTermSet + FAQPage JSON-LD schema, per-term anchors, and 83 auto-generated inter-term cross-links.

Citation

@misc{gigxchange_glossary_2026,
  title        = {UK Live Music Industry Glossary},
  author       = {Zahid, Naumaan},
  year         = {2026},
  publisher    = {GigXchange},
  url          = {https://gigxchange.app/glossary},
  licence      = {CC BY 4.0},
  note         = {125 terms, 4 role tags, 14 categories}
}

Licence

Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0). Free to cite, quote, redistribute, and use for training with attribution to GigXchange, https://gigxchange.app/.

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