Let’s set the scene:
Your band is mid-set. The crowd is vibing. You launch into your big finish.
Suddenly — CRACK.
A wobbly lighting rig drops.
A punter trips on your untagged lead.
Someone eats it on your pedalboard.
Cue panic. Cue lawyers. Cue… oh shit.
This is not the time to realise you never sorted your Public Liability Insurance.
“But I’m just a muso, not a construction site.”
Ah, yes. The sweet fantasy of rock ‘n’ roll invincibility.
But here’s the reality: live performances are WORKPLACES.
And under Queensland law?
You — the artist — are equally responsible for safety on that stage.
Not just the venue. Not just the agent.
You.
And while yes, you’re not legally required to have public liability insurance as a band, many venues and promoters will straight-up refuse to book you without it.
Why?
Because when things go south, they don’t want to be left holding the flaming amp.
Let’s Talk Fine Print….
Ever skimmed a contract and missed that cute little clause called “Hold Harmless”?
That’s lawyer speak for “if it goes to shit, it’s all on you.”
This is why you must read the fine print in every booking agreement.
(Yes, even the one from your mate's cousin’s wedding in the Gold Coast Hinterland.)
You’ve got to know:
✅ Who is legally responsible on-site
✅ What the venue or agent expects of you
✅ Whether your band’s ABN is the one that cops it if something goes wrong
Spoiler: it usually is.
Most venues and festivals require $10 million in Public Liability Cover.
Yes, it sounds excessive. Until it’s not.
If your rig catches fire, your mic stand knocks out a child (yikes), or your guitarist’s stage dive takes out a grandma — that payout is not coming out of your band fund jar.
Enter: Duck for Cover. Marsh. AON. Or your own trusted insurance broker.
These providers offer affordable public liability insurance tailored for musicians.
Still unsure?
Check out our starter pack:
👉 Time to Revisit Your Show Safety
“But who’s actually covered?”
You’ve all been busy little bees and sorted your cover, right?
Awesome.
But here’s the catch:
When a festival or agent asks for your insurance details — they want to know:
Which ABN is the show performing under? And where is that Pub Lib COC?
If you’re not all operating under one clearly defined Music Brand or show entity, you’re leaving it to fate. And fate’s a savage tour manager.
So, the smart move?
Get your collective agreement sorted.
👉 Read: The Music Brand Supplier Agreement
This spells out:
Who holds the policy
What each member is responsible for
How the show operates as a legal and safe entity
Because when the amps blow and the promoter starts dialing their lawyer, the only thing that will save your arse is paperwork and planning.
Risk Management = Rock Management
We know — it’s not sexy.
But neither is bankruptcy.
Having a Risk Management Plan, SWMS, tagged leads, and clear safety roles in your band isn’t overkill. It’s overdue.
When the pressure’s on, and the glitter hits the fan, you need more than crossed fingers.
You need a plan.
You need cover.
And you need to know who’s actually in charge of sorting this stuff before someone’s lawyer finds your Instagram handle.
Sort your Public Liability Insurance. Now. Today.
Define who’s performing under which ABN.
Create a Music Brand Agreement. Yes, even if it’s your best mates.
Read all contracts before you sign. That “hold harmless” clause? Big deal.
Get your safety game up. Leads tagged. Stage clear. Risk plans ready.
Check out WorkSafe QLD and talk to your lawyer + accountant to get it airtight.
Protect your people.
Protect your brand.
Protect your business.
Because music isn’t just your passion.
It’s your workplace.
Stay loud. Stay smart. Stay covered.
With love and liability cover,
Written by Nichola Burton. I work in partnership with Agents, Artist Managers and Event Producers, who juggle a diverse range of relationships in the Musoverse, to curate, manage and measure data in systems, experience, creative and content to support the entire Musoverse operation in my enterprise A Little Pitchy Copyright 2025
