How to Write a Band EPK That Gets You Booked

An electronic press kit (EPK) is your band's CV. Promoters, festival bookers, venue managers, journalists, playlist curators and agents use it to decide — usually within a minute or two — whether to book you, write about you or pass.

A good EPK makes their job easy. A bad one sends them back to their inbox.

#What an EPK is for

Different readers want different things:

• Promoters and venues want to know if you will sell tickets and be easy to work with.
• Festival bookers want to see that you fit their audience and have momentum.
• Journalists and bloggers want a story, quotes and high-resolution photos.
• Agents and managers want evidence of a growing audience and a professional operation.

Your EPK should answer each of them quickly.

#The essentials

#1. A short, sharp bio

Write three versions:

• One line (around 20 words) — for listings and social posts.
• Short (around 100 words) — what most people will read.
• Long (300–400 words) — for journalists who want more.

Write in the third person, lead with what makes you interesting, and avoid clichés like "genre-defying" and "unique sound". Be specific: who you sound like, where you are from, what you have done recently.

#Short bio template

[Band name] are a [genre] [number]-piece from [town/city]. Since forming in [year], they have [biggest achievement — support slots, festival, radio play, release]. Their new [single/EP/album], [title], is out [date] on [label/self-released]. Known for [what live audiences say about you], they [what is next — tour, release, festival season].

#2. Music

• Links to your best two or three tracks on major streaming services
• A private stream or download link for unreleased music if you are pitching a release
• Put your strongest track first

#3. Video

Live video matters more than anything for bookers. They want to know what you are like on stage. Include:

• A live performance video (ideally with a real audience)
• An official music video if you have one

#4. Photos

• Three to five high-resolution press photos, landscape and portrait
• At least one with space around the band for text overlays
• A download link for full-resolution files
• Photographer credit for each

Make sure they look like the band today, not three line-ups ago.

#5. Live history and highlights

• Notable support slots and headline shows
• Festivals
• Ticket sales or attendance figures if they are impressive
• Upcoming gigs

#6. Press quotes

Two to four short quotes from reviews, radio presenters or respected bloggers, with the source. A single strong quote beats ten weak ones.

#7. Numbers (if they help)

Streaming figures, social following, mailing list size, radio plays. Only include numbers that show momentum. If they are small, leave them out and let the music do the talking.

#8. Technical information

For promoters and engineers, a link to your stage plot and input list saves a lot of emails. Include:

• Line-up and instruments
• Stage plot and input list
• Backline requirements
• Typical set length

See stage plots and input lists explained.

#9. Contact details

• Booking contact (name, email, phone)
• Press contact if different
• Management or agent if you have one
• Social links and website

Make contacts impossible to miss. It is surprising how many EPKs bury the email address.

#Function and wedding band EPKs

If you play weddings and corporate events, your EPK serves a different audience — agencies, planners and venue coordinators. Emphasise:

• Showreel video from real events
• Repertoire list or sample setlists
• Line-up options (four-piece, six-piece, with horns)
• Testimonials from couples and planners
• Public liability insurance and PAT testing
• Technical requirements (power, space, load-in)

#Format: a page beats a PDF

A web page is better than a PDF attachment:

• It works on any device
• It is always up to date
• Video and audio play directly
• You can share one link everywhere — in emails, on social bios, in festival applications

If someone specifically asks for a PDF, export one. But keep the web version as your master copy.

#Common mistakes

• Too long. Bookers skim. Put the best stuff at the top.
• Out of date. Old line-ups, old photos, last year's tour.
• No live video. The single biggest omission.
• Low-resolution photos. Journalists cannot use them.
• Hidden contact details. If they cannot find your email in ten seconds, they will move on.
• Over-hyped writing. Let facts and quotes do the selling.

#Sending your EPK

When pitching, write a short personal email — two or three sentences about why you are a good fit for that venue, festival or publication — and include the EPK link. Do not attach large files. Follow up once, politely, after a week or two.

#Tailor the pitch, not the kit

Your EPK is the same for everyone, but your email should not be. A festival booker for a folk festival and a promoter running an indie night want different highlights. In the email:

• Lead with the most relevant achievement for that reader
• Mention any connection — you have played their venue before, you share fans with an act on their bill, a local band recommended them
• Propose specific dates or slots if you are pitching a tour
• Keep it to five or six lines

Then let the EPK do the rest.

#A quick EPK checklist

• One-line, short and long bio, all up to date
• Best two or three tracks, strongest first
• At least one live video with a real crowd
• Three to five high-resolution photos with credits
• Recent highlights and upcoming dates
• Two to four press quotes
• Stage plot and input list
• Booking and press contacts near the top and again at the bottom
• Works properly on a phone

If you can tick every item, you are ahead of most bands in a booker's inbox.

#Keep it updated

Set a reminder to review your EPK every couple of months, and after every big moment: a new release, a notable support, a festival booking, new photos.

BandQuill's Band plan includes a public EPK page with your photos, bio, links and upcoming gigs pulled straight from your calendar, so it stays current without extra work. Pair it with your stage plot link on the Pro plan and a promoter can get everything they need from one place. However you build it, keep it short, current and easy to act on.