Jazz Bands in the UK

Hop Till You Drop organises the performance of live music by various types of live band (the “Artist”) on behalf of their clients (the “Client”).

When booking an Artist on behalf of a Client, Hop Till You Drop draws up a formal contract of engagement between the Client and the Artist. The contact name, home address and phone number of both parties are included in the contract, allowing final details to be “tweaked” directly at a later date, without agency involvement. Arrival time, set-up times and performance times are all stipulated, so that both parties know exactly what is expected. We also ask the client to organise a dressing-room near the stage, if such an arrangement is possible, and to provide either a hot meal or sandwiches and drinks for the band.

The deposit is a booking fee payable to Hop Till You Drop Ltd. The booking is secured when the deposit is paid. In the first instance, the Client is e-mailed a link to the contract and is invoiced separately for the deposit (the agency’s fee) which is payable at this point. The Client digitally signs the contract and pays the deposit by electronic transfer or posts the deposit cheque to Hop Till You Drop to arrive within seven days of the contract’s date of issue. Once payment has been received, a link to the contract is e-mailed to the Artist for digital counter-signature. When the contract has been agreed and digitally signed by both parties, the completed copy is made available to both the Client and Artist thus sealing the agreement. Copies of the contract can then be downloaded and printed by both parties, thus providing a hard copy record of the agreement.

Payment of the artist’s fee is usually made in cash on the night. The agency asks the client to nominate someone from their party to liaise with the bandleader on the day. We suggest that this person introduces himself or herself while the band is setting up, and that payment takes place at this point. If the client prefers, payment can be made by cheque to the bandleader, to arrive not less than 7 days before the performance takes place.

In the event of cancellation of the contract of engagement by the artist through accident, injury or illness, a doctor’s certificate or other appropriate documentation will be required. If the artist’s fee has been paid in advance, it will be refunded in full. In the event of such a cancellation, Hop Till You Drop will endeavour to find a replacement on behalf of the client. An exact replacement, in terms of style of music and price cannot be guaranteed. If no appropriate or acceptable replacement can be found, the deposit also will be refunded in full.

In the event of cancellation of the contract of engagement by the client for any reason, the deposit is non-refundable. If cancellation by the client is between 180 – 120 days prior to the performance, 25% of the agreed artist’s fee shall be payable by the client to the artist. If cancellation is between 120 – 60 days, 50% of the agreed artist’s fee shall be payable. If the cancellation is between 60 – 30 days, the amount shall be 75%, and if cancellation is within 30 days, the amount shall be 100%.