Written by

Jennifer Carlson

January 2, 2025

Edited by

Tara Farmer

Prices to book artists

The average cost of booking music artists is $1,000 to $10,000 for a lesser-known artist or $15,000 to $250,000 for more popular artists. If you want an A-list musician or band to play at your wedding or event, you'll pay upwards of $150,000 to $2.5 million, depending on who it is. 

Emerging / indie artists

Emerging or indie artists charge $1,000 to $10,000 to book, depending on your location and how much experience they have. Some indie artists are new local musicians looking to sign with a record label, while others have been around for years.

Popular artists

Popular bands and artists charge $15,000 to $250,000 on average, depending on how well known they are. This category includes newer bands as well as artists that were extremely popular at one point but are not as well-known anymore. Examples of popular artists may include: 

• Ludacris 

• One Republic 

• Smash Mouth 

• Alanis Morisette 

• Meek Mill 

• Skrillex 

• Vanilla Ice 

• LeAnn Rimes 

• Gotye 

A-list celebrities

A-list celebrities like Taylor Swift or Ariana Grande charge $150,000 to $2.5 million or more, which is much, much more than indie artists or less-popular musicians. Other top-tier artists include: 

• The Weeknd 

• Bruno Mars 

• Imagine Dragons 

• Katy Perry 

• Coldplay 

• Post Malone 

• Lil Nas X 

• Kanye West 

• BTS 

• Adele 

Artist cost factors

The following factors can influence the cost of hiring a professional artist: 

• Event type: Booking a music artist for certain events, like weddings, costs more than others. For example, a live wedding band costs $2,000 to $8,000 even when the artists themselves are local or "unknown." 

• Music genre: Some artists cost more to set up, like rock bands, while a single pop singer or EDM artist may be more low maintenance. 

• Duration: Most artists charge for a set number of songs or a time limit. If you go over, they may charge more. 

• Special requests: If you want the artist to play a particular song, you may have to pay extra. 

• Date: Artists tend to charge higher rates for holidays or weekends. 

• Travel fees: The artist may charge a separate travel fee, especially if they have to fly or travel a considerable distance to your location. 

Physical art

Hiring a painter for your wedding or event carries different costs: 

• A caricature artist costs $100 to $200 per hour, depending on which colors and medium they work with. 

• If you want someone to paint a mural during your event, hiring a muralist costs $20 to $50 per square foot or $2,000 to $5,000 per wall on average. 

• A henna tattoo artist costs $70 to $100 per hour. 

Artist booking FAQs

Can I meet an artist if I book them for an appearance?

Most artists will agree to at least a short meet and greet or photo op, while others will only show up for their performance. Their personal involvement will depend on the arrangements you make with them or their agent.

Can I customize the entertainment?

Yes, you can customize the duration and content of the entertainment for your event—to a certain extent. The artist's agent will negotiate the specifics on their behalf and come to an agreement with you. 

How early should I book an artist?

You should book an artist as early as possible, at least 1 to 6 months in advance. For nationally recognized artists, you may need to book 6 months to 1 year in advance because their schedules are filled with tours and appearances, and they may not be able to accommodate anything last-minute.

Do talent booking companies charge extra fees?

Any talent booking site or agent will charge a fee for their services. However, artists' agents charge a percentage from the artist, and booking sites include their fees in the total cost.

How to find artists and entertainers near you

Before you hire a band or entertainment, follow these important steps: 

• Compare multiple prices from different artists. 

• Read reviews on Fash and Google if possible. 

• Listen to samples of their work to see if it's a good fit for your event. 

• Ask whether they charge any travel fees. 

• Get a contract in writing. 

Questions to ask artists and their agents

Ask artists, agents, or talent booking agencies the following questions: 

• How long have you been in the entertainment business? 

• What talent or artists have you booked in the past? 

• Do you charge any travel fees? 

• Do you have any time or set limits? 

• Can I request any songs? Will that cost extra? 

• What kind of venue or setup will you need? 

• How far in advance should I be booking entertainment? 

• Can you give me a contract in writing? 

• Will I be able to have a meet and greet? 

• What other fees or costs can I expect?