How to check an act is reliable and as good as their reel

You've scrolled through Instagram clips, watched a slick two-minute reel of someone's greatest hits, and they look brilliant. But will they actually deliver that energy when your guests are watching live? The gap between a polished video and a real performance can be wide. Before you book, there are concrete steps you can take to verify that an act is genuinely reliable and performs at the level their content suggests.

Search their professional registration

Start with the basics. Ask the performer for their full legal name and business registration number if they operate as a sole proprietor or close corporation. Check CIPC's online registry to confirm the business exists and is in good standing. If they're registered with a professional body relevant to their craft—whether that's a musicians' association, comedians' network, or other industry group—ask to see proof. These registrations don't guarantee quality, but they do indicate someone who takes their profession seriously enough to formalise it. A performer who can't or won't provide these details is a red flag worth taking seriously.

Ask directly whether they have public liability insurance. This is essential: if something goes wrong during their performance, you and your venue need to know you're protected. Request a copy of their current certificate. Legitimate entertainers carry this as standard. If they're vague or claim they'll "sort it closer to the date," that's not confidence—that's a problem waiting to happen.

Ring their references and ask the right questions

Every performer should have at least three recent client references they're willing to share. Don't just email them; call. Email feels formal and people reply carefully. A phone conversation reveals texture. When you speak to someone who's actually hired them, ask specifically: Did they show up on time? Was the energy in the room what was promised? Did they handle the space and equipment respectfully? Were they professional when things went slightly wrong—a lost microphone, a timing change, a technical glitch? Ask whether the live performance matched the showreel, and press gently if the answer feels guarded. Ask if they'd book them again. If a reference hesitates or gives qualified praise, trust that instinct.

Also ask your references about the act's communication. Did they respond quickly to messages? Did they confirm details closer to the date? Were there any surprises on the day? An act might be brilliant on stage but nightmare to work with—and that matters to your event's smoothness.

Watch clips beyond the showreel

Don't rely only on their polished reel. Ask for unedited footage from recent events—or ask references if they have clips they can share. Watch how the performer handles crowd interaction, dead moments, or when energy dips. A showreel is cut and colour-graded; real footage shows resilience. Ask them to send you video from three different events in the last year, ideally similar in size or vibe to yours. If they push back or only have one kind of venue in their library, that's telling.

Ask the performer directly: what happens if someone heckles, or the crowd's not feeling it? Their answer matters. Experienced acts have strategies. Nervous or defensive answers suggest they haven't tested their craft much.

The written agreement

Once you're confident, get everything in writing. The agreement should specify the exact performance time, what they'll need from your venue (space, power, sound system), and what happens if they can't perform. Check whether their cancellation terms match yours, and what notice they need to give. Vague verbal agreements create friction when something goes wrong.

When you've done these checks—registration confirmed, references glowing, unedited footage solid, agreement signed—you've removed most of the guesswork. On Strove, you can find verified entertainment providers with reviews from past clients and upfront details about what they offer. That transparency takes a lot of the detective work out of it.