Here at BigSpeak Speakers Bureau, we’re big on our speakers. Well, obviously. We have the honor of working with incredible thought leaders in every industry and helping match event planners and execs with the perfect headliner. We represent world leaders, Olympians and best-selling authors who command the respect and attention of global audiences and book hundreds of events each year for repeat clients eager to work with new-comers and old hats on the speaking circuit alike. We have an ear to the ground when it comes to trend cycles and hot topics, and  most recently one of our executives noticed a certain subset of bookable talent has been undergoing a rapid explosion in demand and popularity: musicians.

For the right price and handled through the correct avenue, such as a valid agency or speakers bureau, almost any musician you can think of can be engaged for a private event–  and yes, that means any musician, from Beyoncé to Diana Ross to the Rolling Stones. The number of private gigs big name musicians are doing per year has skyrocketed in the past few decades, with one of our fellow firms going from booking about one hundred closed concerts a year to nearly six hundred in 2022. Stars like Flo Rida book over 30 private gigs a year, and certain agencies now have entire departments dedicated solely to procuring talent for these events.

Even more so than hiring a famous inventor or record-breaking athlete, working with an A-list chanteuse is a major investment. Private performances necessitate careful planning and requisition of funds, but they are a guaranteed way to shake up your organization and guarantee that your upcoming event will be the most memorable one your company has seen in years.

Starting first and foremost on the bright side, there are plenty of advantages to swapping out keynotes and team meetings for a live performance once in a while. The benefits of bringing a big-name musician to your next event include:

• Increased attendance. Many potential attendees are much more likely to not skip out on your event if you’ve booked a thought leader or well-known motivational speaker, and this return increases tenfold when your organization brings in a famous musician. A celebrity performer will increase excitement leading up to your conference as well as attract a broader audience.
• Improved morale. Live music can be a euphoric, transportive experience. Whether the audience is made up of customers, employees or business partners, mood and motivation will rise.
• Spike in brand awareness. A famous performer appearing at your conference will draw attention to your organization, and can also provide your company with a certain cultural currency that may lead to increases in sales, improved customer loyalty, and opportunities for partnerships with other brands.

As the more logical are doubtlessly thinking, yes it is the case that just as when booking a celebrity speaker, certain considerations must be made when bringing a famous musical artist to your event. It’s important to also consider these factors before getting too starry-eyed at the thought of your favorite artist performing a set at your upcoming symposium:

• Schedule in advance. The more well-known a musician is, the higher their demand. We recommend booking a general motivational speaker at least 3-6 months in advance, and a celebrity performer will need to be booked even earlier than this to ensure they are available for the desired date.
• Fork over the big bucks. There’s no beating around the bush and being coy: famous musicians make excellent conference headliners, but they are not cheap. You must be prepared to pay a premium to acquire one of these performers. Unfortunately, this does mean that a top-billed star is not a great fit for every organization’s event.
• Work with a reputable agency. Negotiating prices, booking travel and putting together nondisclosure agreements is vital, but also a hassle. Go through a professional to guarantee everything is on the up and up.

This is not by any means something we recommend be undertaken casually, but neither do we want to sound forbidding; famous musicians are difficult to obtain, but they are not unattainable, and they offer an undeniable dazzle that flips any mundane conference on its head.  There is no doubt that private gigs will continue to become more common, the logical conclusion to the past few years’ trend towards interactive and experiential events we’ve noticed, and we’re proactive sorts that intend to get ourselves and our clients out ahead of the curve.  With careful planning and execution, booking a famous musician is a sure-fire way to take your next corporate conference from snoozefest to smashing success, and we eagerly await the opportunity to help make your next conference truly unforgettable.

This article was originally published by BigSpeak Jun 13, 2023.