Side by side
- Fee: StageSide 5% platform, agencies 15–25% commission
- Speed: StageSide same-day quotes, agencies 3–5 working days
- Control: StageSide direct with the act, agencies filter
- Protection: StageSide escrowed payments + digital contracts + disputes, agencies vary
- Curation: StageSide verification + reviews, agencies hand-picked
Where agencies still win
Named artists (£10k+) where the agent's relationship with the artist is the point. Complex multi-artist packages. Bespoke productions where a producer is co-ordinating stage, lighting and artist together.
Where marketplaces win
Everything else. Weddings, corporate parties, product launches, brand activations under £15k. Faster, cheaper, better paper trail.
The escrow difference
StageSide holds payment until after the event, then releases automatically. Agencies typically bill 50% deposit, 50% before the event — with less protection either way. See our guide on booking fees for the full breakdown.
"The right question isn't marketplace or agency. It's what protection do I have if something goes wrong — and how much am I paying for it?"
See how bookings work on StageSide.
How it works
