Questions to ask before booking a live act

You've found a live act online. Their video looks polished, the price seems reasonable, and they're available on your date. Before you hand over a deposit, you need to know what you're actually paying for and whether they'll deliver on the day. The best way to find out is to ask the right questions—ones that reveal how professional they are, how they handle problems, and whether your event is a good fit for them.

Ask about their technical setup and space requirements

Many live acts fail because of mismatched expectations about stage space, equipment and power. Start by asking: "What's the minimum space you need, and what does your setup weigh?" If they're vague or downplay the question, that's a red flag. A serious performer knows their footprint to the inch. They'll tell you whether they need a stage, how much power they draw, whether they bring their own sound system, and what you need to supply.

Next, ask: "Will the venue's existing sound system work for you, or do you bring your own?" This matters enormously. A vocalist who relies on your venue's PA is vulnerable if that system fails. One who travels with their gear is self-reliant. Ask too about backup—what happens if a cable dies or their laptop crashes? Professional acts have redundancy built in.

Finally, probe their flexibility: "If the space is smaller than planned, can you adapt your act?" If they say "no," you need to decide whether that's a dealbreaker or a reason to find someone more versatile.

Ask what they'll actually do on the night

A polished showreel doesn't guarantee a polished event. Ask: "Walk me through what the audience will experience from start to finish." A confident performer will describe their entrance, pacing, audience interaction, song choices, and finale. They'll explain how long each segment runs and how they read the room to adjust.

Then ask a harder question: "Have you performed at venues like mine before? Tell me about one." If they light up with a specific story—mentioning the venue, crowd size, what worked and what didn't—they've done this before. If they give you a generic answer or say they haven't, you need to accept that your event is new territory for them. That's not always a deal-breaker, but it changes the risk profile.

Ask about their crowd interaction style too: "How do you engage with the audience?" Some acts are performers first, with minimal talking. Others are MCs who fill the space with banter. Neither is wrong, but they're very different, and you need to know which one you're booking.

Ask how they handle the unpredictable

Live performance is chaos management. Ask: "What do you do if the power cuts out for ten minutes?" or "If you're running late and only have half your scheduled time, how do you adapt?" Watch how they answer. A pro will have a plan—maybe an acoustic backup, maybe a condensed set list. Someone who looks panicked or says "that won't happen" hasn't thought it through.

Ask specifically about cancellation: "If you get ill 48 hours before the event, what's your policy?" They should tell you whether they'll find a replacement, offer a refund, or delay. Also ask the reverse: "If I need to cancel, what do I lose?" This is about understanding the terms before you sign.

Finally, ask about communication: "How do I reach you in the week before the event, and how often will you check in?" Reliable acts will be available by phone or WhatsApp and will confirm details closer to the date without being prompted.

The goal of these questions isn't to interrogate them—it's to see whether they take your event seriously and whether you're on the same page about what's realistic. Evasive answers, vagueness about technical needs, or an unwillingness to discuss contingencies are signals to keep looking. A genuine professional will be clear, honest about their limitations, and genuinely interested in making your event work.

When you've found an act that answers thoughtfully and seems organised, verify their track record by checking reviews and past bookings. Then you can move forward with confidence. On Strove, you can message verified live entertainers directly, see their photos and videos, and read feedback from past events—making it easier to ask these questions and compare answers before you book.