Music manager

Music managers deal with business issues in the music industry; this includes negotiating and securing contracts. Knowledge of music and of the music-buying public is essential.

Also known as:

Band manager
Pop group manager

Work activities

Music managers may work:

For singers and bands.
In record companies.
For music promotion or publishing companies.
As a manager of live tours.

When managers help a new artist/band to get started, they are involved in things like:

Sorting out demos.
Raising money to buy equipment.
Finding rehearsal space.
Persuading pub and club owners to provide a venue for performances.
Helping to set up artist/band websites and write social media content.
Negotiating contracts with record companies.
Securing radio airtime and television appearances.

In record companies, music managers work in record production, marketing and accounts management. Managers who work in the artists and repertoire (A&R) department of a record company seek out promising new artists. They listen to demos submitted by bands and go to live performances. Publishing companies represent songwriters. They collect royalties for writers and find new opportunities for placement of the artist’s music, such as film, TV and video games.

Managers in music promotion companies represent artists and find the best way to publicise them. Tour managers deal with most issues that crop up when artists are on tour. This includes working with crew, promoters and booking agents. Managers work irregular hours, which can include early starts, late finishes and work at weekends and public holidays. Some band managers travel to venues locally, nationally and internationally.

Personal qualities and skills

As a music manager, you need to have:

Strong organisational skills.
Good communication skills.
An outgoing and enthusiastic personality.
Good negotiation skills.
A persuasive personality.
The ability to work unsocial hours.
Good knowledge of the area of music you are working in.
An understanding of how new technologies are used to produce and promote music.

Pay and opportunities

Pay rates for music managers vary widely. According to job site Glassdoor, salaries range from £25,000 to £54,000 (based on 74 salaries, December 2023). Senior positions, with large record companies, can earn much more. Successful managers at the top end of the music industry (e.g., a manager of a successful band) can have a very high income, based on receiving a percentage of the performers’ earnings.

Managers work irregular hours, which can include early starts, late finishes and work at weekends and public holidays.

Competition for all work in this industry is strong.

Employers include record companies, ranging from small independent labels to large international organisations and major entertainment agencies. Some managers set up their own management companies. Opportunities for music managers occur throughout the UK, but are focused mainly in major cities.

Managers can become self-employed and manage the career of one or several performers.

Where are vacancies advertised?

Vacancies are advertised in national newspapers (e.g., The Guardian Media section), in industry magazines such as Music Week, and on the Government’s Find a Job website. Relevant job vacancies are also advertised on the Star Now website.

Entry routes and training

It’s difficult to generalise about entry to music management. Early roles in artist management often come about from being in the right place at the right time (as well as possessing the relevant skills, of course).

To enter management roles in publishing, promotion and record companies, many people start out in a relevant office junior or admin role, gaining experience and making contacts while working their way up. Doing an internship can be another way in. To get into tour management, getting involved in club/gig promotions locally or at college/university is a good way to gain experience. In fact, this kind of experience is a good background for most roles in the music industry. General admin and management skills gained in other arts and entertainment industries will also serve you well.

There are a few degree, foundation degree and HND courses available, with titles such as music industry management, that can help you develop business skills and an understanding of the music industry. Short courses in music management are also available.

A level 3 (advanced) apprenticeship in the role of event assistant, which could lead onto the role of event manager, could form a good foundation for a career as a music manager.

With experience, managers are more likely to work with high-profile artists. Setting up your own company is also a possibility.

Qualifications

There are no set qualifications for getting into this industry. However, you will need to meet the entry requirements of any qualifications you are undertaking. For example, to get onto a degree course, you will generally need two to three A-levels. If you do a level 3 apprenticeship, you will need GCSEs in English and maths, although you may be able to complete these alongside your programme.

Adult opportunities

Age limits: It is illegal for any organisation to set age limits for entry to employment, education or training, unless they can show there is a real need to have these limits.

Working in a music/recording company, for example, in an artists and repertoire (A&R) department, can lead to entry into management level posts. Another potential way in is through working in business management in other arts and entertainment fields.

A range of colleges and universities offer courses in artist / music / event management at undergraduate and postgraduate level.

The Music Publishers Association offers a range of courses, aimed at people either new to, or wishing to enter, the music publishing business. Relevant part-time postgraduate courses are offered by numerous institutions.

Related careers

Arts administrator
Charity fundraiser
Manager
Music teacher
Musician
Stage manager