I start every all-ages settlement with gross door, then list only pre-agreed direct expenses: room rental, required event insurance, and one paid access or safety worker if needed. I do not deduct my food, flyers I chose to overprint, or vague promoter costs. After those lines, touring bands receive the guarantee agreed before announcement. The remaining net is divided into equal band shares, with one extra share for the touring act when travel is substantial. If the door misses the guarantees, I show everyone the sheet and ask local bands before changing their share; the shortfall is not silently pushed onto them. I also put ticket count, free admissions, cash, digital payments, and payout signatures on one page. What settlement format has kept your all-ages bills clear without turning the end of the night into an accounting meeting?
Open thread / Mara Vale
Building a Fair All-Ages Door Split
A transparent door-split method that covers room costs, touring guarantees, and local bands without punishing a low turnout.
Add a line for rented or damaged backline only when every band approved it beforehand. Gear surprises should not become mystery deductions. I also like sending a photo of the completed sheet to one contact from each band before anyone leaves, so nobody has to rely on a tired recollection later.
For all-ages rooms, I would budget the support role as real labor rather than an optional donation. Name the amount in the booking message and explain the role. That keeps safety work from competing with band pay at settlement and makes the cost visible enough for the community to question or improve.
From the touring side, a modest guaranteed floor plus transparent upside is easier to plan around than a hopeful percentage. Send the proposed split with load-in details, and include whether merch fees exist. If turnout is rough, tell us early in the night; bands can adjust expectations without being ambushed after loading out.