Getting their ‘act’ together

A band manager is someone who manages the business of a band. “A band manager primarily looks after the bookings for the band and put them in the forefront. He is responsible for co-ordinating with media,festival directors,promoters etc,” says Raghav Roy Kapoor who manages Highway 61,a Pune based rock band.

Managing a band takes not only talent but also a lot of other managerial skills. Kapoor adds,“A band manager needs vision and leadership qualities. He should be able to convince the band about his work.”

Band managers eventually become the guiding and mentoring force behind a band. India is currently bursting with activities on the Indie music scene. Newer band are mushrooming everyday opening opportunities for youngsters who are passionate about music. So is it just passion that is enough to make a good band manager? “No”,says Ashley Lobo who has worked with many International artists like Sean Kingston and Flo Rida. “One needs to have good knowledge about the field. He or she should be well networked and should have strong contacts as well.”

In fact one could even start working part time and network in the industry. Varad Karmali,student and a part-time band manager says,”My formula is once I work with a band I keep in touch with them to get more work in future. I am also on the look out for bands that are relatively new and need someone to manage their act.” Varad who has worked with rock names such as Agnee,Blakc and Pentagram sees himself working with artists like Armin Van Buuren and Edward Maya in the near future.

“ Band management is a satisfying career if you can make money,” quips Lobo. The remuneration or returns depend completely upon the pay scale of the artist or a contract signed between the manager and the band. “The band managers fee works in two ways,either a monthly salary is fixed by the band or a certain amount of percentage which is based on the show fee,” informs Kapoor.