Versus deal

A versus deal gives the artist a floor and a share of a good night. The promoter’s risk stops at the guarantee, and if the club fills, the artist earns with it. It suits artists who draw reliably, booked into clubs where the open question is how many tickets will sell.

Example

[Artist A] plays a 700-capacity club for €2,000 versus 60% of the door after costs. Each ticket brings in €20 after VAT, and the agreed costs are €3,000. Presale stands at 280 two weeks out, so both sides know the night could land anywhere in this table.

From 317 tickets the share is higher than the guarantee. Try your own figures in the deal calculator.

What to watch for

• What the percentage is of. Gross, net or after costs changes the result more than the percentage itself (gross and net).
• Versus or plus. “€2,000 versus 60%” pays the higher of the two. “€2,000 plus 60% above break-even” pays both. Write which one you mean.
• The cost list. Fixed before the show, with caps, and proven with receipts at the settlement.
• The ticket count. The ticketing system’s report for presale and box office, with guest list entries shown separately.