It has been a long time since I wrote something for our great friends, the event organizers/promoters! We’ve all been there – eagerly awaiting the arrival of a talented performer, only to be left hanging when they miss a flight or ground transportation that was essential to get to your city. It’s a tough situation, no doubt. But, as promoters, should we blindly accept the performer’s excuses without a shred of evidence? In this blog post, let’s dive into the often-neglected aspect of accountability when it comes to performers and their travel mishaps.

The Unpleasant Truth:

Let’s get real – performers missing flights or ground transportation is not an uncommon scenario. Life happens, right? However, as promoters, we need to draw the line when it comes to accepting excuses at face value. Solid proof should be the cornerstone of any claim made by a performer regarding their travel-related issues. It’s not about mistrusting our beloved artists, but rather ensuring a fair and transparent partnership.

The proof is in the Pudding:

Performers, if you find yourself caught in the crossfire of travel mishaps, the onus is on you to provide concrete evidence that you made a genuine attempt to rectify the situation. If you do your bookings this is so you can show this proof to the promoter that booked you, and if you are on an agency, this is so you can share this information with your agent so they can have the needed conversations with the promoter. Did you try to secure a new flight? Did you make the necessary arrangements to reschedule transportation? These are the questions that demand answers. Anecdotes and opinions won’t cut it – we need tangible proof to safeguard the integrity of the event.

The Deposit Dilemma:

Promoters, if a performer fails to deliver the goods and can’t provide verifiable evidence of their efforts to remedy the situation, it’s time to take a stand. Remember that deposit you paid? Well, you have a legal right to ask for it back. After all, if the performer fails to make a legitimate attempt to get to the show, it’s essentially them canceling the gig – a clear violation of the agreement. This is of course if a contract has been signed and is also why having a contract is so damn important.

Our Experience:

At CGAgency, we’ve had our fair share of artists missing flights. However, our commitment to ensuring our artists arrive at the events they are booked at has driven us to explore every possible solution when trouble presents itself. We’ve had performers purchasing new flights, even if it meant absorbing additional costs due to last-minute changes or fare increases. The bottom line is this: if there’s a genuine effort to make it to the show, we’re willing to work with our artists. For more travel tips check out the following post: https://cybergrooveam.com/expert-air-travel-tips/

The Paper Trail:

In situations where all options have been exhausted, it’s crucial to establish a comprehensive paper trail. This not only protects the artist/promoter but also allows for the utilization of cancellation clauses in contracts. If the airline is genuinely the culprit behind a delayed or missed performance, it’s only fair that the responsibility doesn’t fall on the artist.

Shifting Blame:

It’s disappointing and in some cases disgusting when artists resort to blaming external factors, such as airlines or rideshare platforms, for their inability to perform at their event. Before pointing fingers, it’s essential to assess the situation objectively. Is there concrete evidence of the claim you are about to put out there privately or via socials? A broken plane or a snow storm is what it is and everyone understands this. However, before you take it to another level and say blame discriminatory behavior you better have solid/concrete proof of this before you put this out there. Those who just point fingers or blame situations because of their personal viewpoints have to take a step back and think about what really occurred given their situation. If you can not provide concrete evidence, it will just appear as a convenient excuse to cover up a lack of effort on the performer’s part. Let’s call a spade a spade and ensure accountability.

Taking Responsibility:

Ultimately, the responsibility lies with the artist to do whatever it takes to honor their commitments. Blaming external factors without evidence only tarnishes the reputation of the performer and creates unnecessary tension in the industry. By holding ourselves accountable, we contribute to a more transparent and trustworthy music community. There are enough actual events throughout this world to point to discrimination so do not make false or weak claims because you aren’t able to take the needed action to make it to your performance, the perception of this may cause people to believe you are just posting claims in hopes it will go viral or like I stated above, that it is to cover up a lack of effort on the performer’s part.

In the dynamic world of event organization and live performances, it’s crucial to address the elephant in the room – performers just not showing up to shows and conveniently pointing fingers and blaming others. Promoters, demand proof, protect your investment, and foster a culture of accountability within the industry. Performers, step up, take responsibility, and let’s continue to create unforgettable experiences for fans around the world. After all, the show must go on – with or without turbulence. Promoters, if this type of behavior is displayed demand for your deposit to be sent back, and do not book that artist again if false excuses are all they can offer up. These acts should be considered high risk and are not worth the investment or your faith or trust.

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