Holds and contracts
Radius clause
Also called Radius, exclusivity clause
A promise not to play other public shows within a set distance and period around a booked show, so it doesn’t compete with the artist’s other dates.
A promoter puts money into a show before a single ticket is sold: venue, promotion, often travel. A radius clause protects that by keeping the artist from playing nearby around the same date. It has three parts: a distance, a period before the show and a period after it. It usually comes with an announcement embargo for other shows in the area.
Common ranges in European practice (every contract sets its own):
| Club show | Festival | |
|---|---|---|
| Distance | the city, or 50–150 km | 100–300 km; large festivals the country |
| Before | 4–8 weeks | 6–12 weeks; large festivals 3–6 months |
| After | 2–4 weeks | 4–8 weeks; large festivals 1–3 months |
Example
A club show in Vienna on Saturday 14 November, radius 100 km, 8 weeks before and 4 weeks after: no public show by the artist within 100 km of Vienna from 19 September to 12 December. Bratislava, about 55 km away, is inside. Linz and Graz, both around 150 km as the crow flies, are outside.
What to watch for
- How distance is measured. As the crow flies or by road makes a difference near the edge. The contract should say which.
- What counts as a show. Public shows only, or also private events, livestreams and the artist’s other names.
- The radius has a price. A wide or long radius costs the artist other dates and makes routing harder, so negotiate it together with the fee. Added after the fee is agreed, it is a second ask.
- Exceptions in writing. Shows confirmed before the contract are usually exempt. List them in the contract so they don’t come as a surprise.
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