In this episode of The Manager’s Playbook, legendary booking agent Tom Windish breaks down what booking agents actually do and why your favourite artists can have streams, press, and viral moments but still struggle to sell tickets.
Tom explains how agents help build an artist’s live career, from choosing the right rooms and negotiating fees to working with promoters, planning tours, developing festival opportunities, and turning online attention into real-world demand.
We also get into why artist development takes longer now, why managers and artists need more patience, how direct-to-fan data like emails, phone numbers, and ZIP codes can change a touring strategy, and why the artist is often the most important marketer for their own shows.
For independent artists, managers, agents, and aspiring music executives, this episode is a real look at the touring business and what it actually takes to build a live career that lasts.
A conversation like this doesn’t come cheap.
Book a 1-on-1 meeting with the guests you’ve been watching. See who's available on The Manager's Marketplace: https://themanagersplaybook.com/home
Get 20% of Magic Mind with code TMP20 https://magicmind.com/
Want your music everywhere, properly? DistroKid is a straightforward way for independent artists to distribute globally and keep momentum moving. https://distrokid.com/
Watch the full episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@managersplaybook
New episodes drop Sundays @ 10am ET
