Top Music Booking Platforms for Bands in 2025

Finding and booking gigs is essential for any band's success. These platforms connect musicians with venues, promoters, and opportunities. This directory covers the best booking platforms available in 2025.

Major Booking Platforms

1. GigSalad

Best for: Private events and parties

What It Is: GigSalad is a marketplace connecting entertainers with people planning events. It's particularly strong for private parties, corporate events, and weddings.

How It Works:

• Create a profile with photos, videos, and pricing
• Receive booking requests from event planners
• Respond to inquiries and book gigs
• Get paid through the platform

Pricing:

• Free basic listing
• Premium membership: $349/year
• Commission on bookings

Pros:

• Large customer base
• Good for private events
• Payment protection
• Professional platform

Cons:

• Annual fee for premium features
• Commission fees
• Competitive marketplace
• Focus on private events, not venues

Best For: Bands open to private events, weddings, and corporate gigs.

Website: gigsalad.com

2. Sonicbids

Best for: Festival and tour opportunities

What It Is: Sonicbids connects bands with festivals, venues, and music industry professionals. It's known for festival booking opportunities.

How It Works:

• Create an Electronic Press Kit (EPK)
• Browse and apply to opportunities
• Submit to festivals and showcases
• Track your submissions

Pricing:

• Free basic account
• Premium: $9.99/month or $99/year
• Application fees for some opportunities

Pros:

• Access to major festivals
• Professional EPK builder
• Industry connections
• Tour opportunities

Cons:

• Application fees add up
• Competitive
• Premium membership needed for best features
• Not all opportunities are quality

Best For: Bands seeking festival slots and professional opportunities.

Website: sonicbids.com

3. Indie on the Move

Best for: DIY touring bands

What It Is: A comprehensive database of venues, promoters, and booking contacts specifically for independent musicians.

How It Works:

• Search venue database by location
• Access contact information
• Track your outreach
• Read reviews from other bands

Pricing:

• Free trial
• $12.95/month or $119/year

Pros:

• Extensive venue database
• Contact information included
• Band reviews of venues
• Good for DIY touring

Cons:

• Subscription required
• Still requires manual outreach
• Information can be outdated
• No booking guarantee

Best For: DIY bands planning tours and needing venue contacts.

Website: indieonthemove.com

4. Gigmor

Best for: Session work and collaborations

What It Is: A platform connecting musicians for gigs, sessions, and collaborations. Good for both live gigs and studio work.

How It Works:

• Create a musician profile
• Browse available gigs
• Apply to opportunities
• Connect with other musicians

Pricing:

• Free to join
• Commission on paid gigs

Pros:

• Free to use
• Diverse opportunities
• Session work available
• Networking potential

Cons:

• Smaller user base
• Variable opportunity quality
• Competition for gigs
• Less established than competitors

Best For: Musicians open to session work and collaborations.

Website: gigmor.com

5. BandMix

Best for: Finding gigs and band members

What It Is: A platform for musicians to find gigs, band members, and collaboration opportunities.

How It Works:

• Create a profile
• Search for opportunities
• Connect with venues and musicians
• Post your own opportunities

Pricing:

• Free basic membership
• Premium: $4.95/month

Pros:

• Affordable
• Dual purpose (gigs and members)
• Active community
• Easy to use

Cons:

• Less professional than alternatives
• Smaller venue network
• Variable opportunity quality
• Limited features

Best For: Bands on a budget looking for local opportunities.

Website: bandmix.com

Regional and Specialized Platforms

6. Reverb Nation Gig Finder

Best for: Emerging artists

What It Is: Part of the larger Reverb Nation platform, Gig Finder connects artists with venues and opportunities.

How It Works:

• Create a Reverb Nation profile
• Access Gig Finder tool
• Apply to opportunities
• Track your applications

Pricing:

• Free basic account
• Premium features available

Pros:

• Part of larger music platform
• Free to use
• Good for emerging artists
• Additional promotional tools

Cons:

• Limited compared to dedicated platforms
• Competitive
• Quality varies
• Less focused than alternatives

Best For: Emerging bands already using Reverb Nation.

Website: reverbnation.com

7. Songkick

Best for: Tour tracking and fan engagement

What It Is: Primarily a concert discovery platform for fans, but offers tools for artists to manage tours and connect with fans.

How It Works:

• Claim your artist profile
• Add tour dates
• Fans track your shows
• Venue discovery tools

Pricing:

• Free for artists

Pros:

• Free
• Large fan base
• Good for tour promotion
• Venue database

Cons:

• Not primarily a booking platform
• Limited booking features
• Requires existing fanbase
• More promotional than booking

Best For: Bands with existing fans who want to promote tours.

Website: songkick.com

8. Bandsintown

Best for: Tour promotion and fan engagement

What It Is: Similar to Songkick, a platform where fans discover concerts and artists promote tours.

How It Works:

• Create artist profile
• Add tour dates
• Fans RSVP to shows
• Promote to your followers

Pricing:

• Free for artists

Pros:

• Free
• Large user base
• Good fan engagement
• Easy tour promotion

Cons:

• Not a booking platform
• Requires existing shows
• Limited booking features
• Promotional focus

Best For: Bands that want to promote existing tours to fans.

Website: bandsintown.com

9. Gigatown (UK/Europe)

Best for: UK and European bands

What It Is: A UK-based platform connecting bands with venues across the UK and Europe.

How It Works:

• Create band profile
• Browse venue opportunities
• Apply to gigs
• Manage bookings

Pricing:

• Free to join
• Commission on bookings

Pros:

• UK/Europe focused
• Direct venue connections
• No upfront fees
• Growing platform

Cons:

• Limited to UK/Europe
• Smaller than US platforms
• Still building network
• Regional limitations

Best For: UK and European bands seeking local gigs.

Website: gigatown.com

10. Gigwell

Best for: Professional booking agents

What It Is: A professional booking management platform used by booking agents and venues.

How It Works:

• Requires booking agent or venue account
• Manage bookings and contracts
• Track availability
• Professional tools

Pricing:

• Contact for pricing
• Professional tier pricing

Pros:

• Professional-grade
• Used by industry
• Comprehensive features
• Trusted platform

Cons:

• Not for individual bands
• Requires agent relationship
• Professional pricing
• High barrier to entry

Best For: Bands with professional booking agents.

Website: gigwell.com

How to Use Booking Platforms Effectively

Create a Strong Profile

Essential Elements:

• Professional photos
• High-quality audio/video
• Compelling bio
• Genre and style tags
• Contact information
• Social media links
• Press quotes or reviews

Tips:

• Update regularly
• Use professional media
• Be specific about your sound
• Include technical requirements
• Show your personality

Apply Strategically

Do:

• Research opportunities before applying
• Customize your pitch
• Apply to appropriate venues
• Follow up professionally
• Track your applications

Don't:

• Spam applications
• Apply to inappropriate venues
• Use generic messages
• Ignore application requirements
• Give up after rejections

Build Your Reputation

On Platforms:

• Respond promptly to inquiries
• Be professional in communication
• Honor your commitments
• Request reviews after gigs
• Maintain accurate information

Results:

• Better opportunities
• Higher response rates
• Repeat bookings
• Platform recommendations
• Industry credibility

Combine Platforms with Direct Outreach

Use Platforms For:

• Discovering opportunities
• Building your EPK
• Managing applications
• Tracking bookings

Use Direct Outreach For:

• Local venue relationships
• Specific target venues
• Personal connections
• Follow-up communication

Understand the Economics

Platform Fees:

• Subscription costs
• Application fees
• Commission on bookings
• Payment processing fees

Calculate:

• Cost per booking
• Return on investment
• Break-even point
• Alternative costs

Platform Comparison Chart

Tips for Success

1. Start Local

• Build reputation in your area
• Use platforms to expand reach
• Leverage local success
• Branch out gradually

2. Be Professional

• Respond quickly
• Honor commitments
• Communicate clearly
• Maintain your profile

3. Track Your Results

• Which platforms work best
• Response rates
• Booking conversion
• Return on investment

4. Diversify Your Approach

• Use multiple platforms
• Combine with direct outreach
• Build personal relationships
• Don't rely on one source

5. Be Patient and Persistent

• Building takes time
• Rejections are normal
• Keep improving your profile
• Stay consistent

Conclusion

Booking platforms are valuable tools for finding gigs, but they work best as part of a comprehensive booking strategy. Combine platform use with direct outreach, networking, and relationship building for the best results.

Quick Recommendations:

• Best Overall: GigSalad (private events) or Sonicbids (festivals)
• Best for DIY Touring: Indie on the Move
• Best Free Option: Reverb Nation or Bandsintown
• Best for UK/Europe: Gigatown
• Best Budget Option: BandMix

Choose platforms that align with your goals, budget, and the types of gigs you're seeking. Invest time in creating strong profiles, and be strategic and professional in your applications.