Booking with BiteSize
Transparency is a core value for us, so we’re laying out exactly how our payout process works...
DIY SHOWS
Denver Local Gigs
Most BiteSize Productions shows operate on a DIY model. As a small business without the financial backing of major production companies, all revenue from the show is used to pay talent and staff. We follow a profit-sharing approach to ensure fair payouts for everyone involved. Here’s how it typically works:
Venues we work with often have a revenue split of 60/40, 70/30, or 80/20, with the venue taking the smaller share. The remaining percentage goes toward paying the talent and staff. BiteSize takes 10-20% of this share, capped at $100. We prioritize paying talent, with touring acts receiving a larger payout than local acts.
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Example Breakdown:
If the door brings in $500, and the venue takes 30% ($150), $350 remains to split. This amount is divided equally among the 4 bands and BiteSize, resulting in $70 each. Local bands are then asked if they’d like to contribute some of their payout to the touring band, and most willingly do so. If each local donates $20, the touring band would leave with $130. In practice, locals often contribute 50%-100% of their share, meaning touring acts frequently walk away with $300 or more if the show performs well.
For touring acts concerned about guarantees, adjustments are made. For example, $100 might be allocated upfront to the touring band, with the remaining $250 split between the locals and BiteSize ($50 each). If door sales after the venue cut don’t reach $100, the touring band is given the full amount.
This unconventional payout method fosters camaraderie and support within the music scene. It ensures fair pay while empowering local and touring artists to support each other, whether saving for recordings, tours, or other endeavors. At BiteSize, we aim to create an equitable, community-driven approach to live music.
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The most important thing to remember with DIY shows is that the more people you bring to the event, the more you'll get paid. Promote your show, and the effort will pay off!
FESTIVAL PAYOUTS
MHPF, Underground Pride, etc.
Mile High Power Fest
Guarantees are thoroughly negotiated and contracted with Soren Bray to ensure clarity and fairness. For those familiar with the music industry, this festival operates in line with standard practices and meets industry expectations. Given the larger scale of the event, performers are paid their agreed-upon rates, supported by sponsorships to ensure financial stability.
After guarantees are fulfilled, any remaining profit is reserved as a down payment for next year’s festival. Once that fund is secured, any additional profit is distributed equally among the BiteSize staff.
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The Denver Underground Pride
This festival operates similarly to our DIY shows, as it is entirely a DIY event. There are no sponsors and no guarantees—everything is funded directly by the proceeds from door sales. After the venue takes its cut, all remaining funds are split equally among every performer and staff member, on a per-person basis. If a band has four members, they receive four equal shares of the total door revenue. This ensures 100% equal profit sharing for everyone involved.
For example, if the show generates $4,000 after the venue cut and there are 70 performers and staff, each person will receive $57. A band with four members would collectively earn $228. Performers are also welcome to accept tips during their sets, and any tips they receive are theirs to keep.
The more people who attend, the more everyone gets paid. This event relies entirely on door sales to support the artists and staff, so promoting the festival is key to its success!
KINK EVENTS
Nude Burlesque, The Dvmned, etc.
Most venues that host kink art or performances operate with a 50/50 revenue split or require an upfront booking fee, as these venues typically do not have a liquor license. This is one reason kink-based events tend to have higher ticket prices.
The payout structure for these events is similar to Underground Pride's model, with one key difference: tips are often pooled among performers.
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Example:
If the event generates $1,000, the venue takes $500, leaving $500 to be split among 9 performers and BiteSize. This amount is divided equally, giving each person $50. Performers then pool their tips, which are split exclusively among them. If $120 in tips were collected, each performer would receive an additional $13, for a total of $63 per performer.
As with all DIY events, the more people who attend, the more everyone gets paid. These events rely entirely on door sales and pooled tips to compensate everyone involved.