A strong showreel gives venues and promoters a quick understanding of your sound, stage presence and audience appeal. For a tribute show, that means showcasing your own performance of songs written by somebody else.
You can record every note yourself and still need permission to use the song in a promotional video. The recording and the underlying composition involve separate rights.
This guide explains how Australian cover shows can prepare a promotional MP4, check the permissions they need and upload it to YouTube.
1. Choose five or six songs
Recommended showreel format:
One promotional video.
Five or six songs demonstrating your show’s appeal.
Up to 15 seconds of each song.
A short opening identifying your show.
A closing frame with your booking contact details.
Choose sections that show your strongest vocals, musicianship and stage presence. Give the viewer enough time to hear the performance before cutting to the next song.
The 15-second limit is an editing guideline—not a copyright exemption. Even a few seconds of protected material can create copyright issues without permission.
2. Identify the songwriters and publishers
Create a record for every song you intend to include.
Song Title:
Songwriter/Lyricist:
Original Album and Year:
Record Label/Master Owner:
Publishing Rights:
Live Show Licence: Public Performance Licence under One Music Australia
Google can help you locate the appropriate information.
3. Record your own performance
Record your own vocals and instrumentation. Never use the original artist’s master recording.
Check the entire soundtrack for:
Original recordings used during introductions or transitions.
Samples taken from commercial tracks.
Karaoke or third-party backing tracks.
Venue background music captured before or after your performance.
A backing track needs permission appropriate to its use in a promotional video. Buying or downloading it does not automatically grant those rights.
Confirm recording ownership and promotional permissions with your musicians, producer and videographer.
Record your own performance. Using your own vocals and instruments avoids using the original master recording.
❌ Do not use any piece of the original artist’s backing track or studio audio.
❌ Do not use clips from the official music video or copyrighted live concerts.
Your own recording removes one clearance problem. It does not remove the songwriter’s rights.
4. Keep the proposed use clear
Show the publisher exactly what you intend to create.
If you plan to change lyrics, translate the song, combine songs into a mashup or substantially rewrite the music, disclose that and request the appropriate permission.
Straightforward cover performances are easier to describe and assess. They still require clearance for commercial video use.
5. Export your MP4
Recommended production settings:
Format: MP4.
Video codec: H.264.
Resolution: 1920 × 1080 where the source footage supports it.
Orientation: Landscape, 16:9.
Frame rate: Match the recorded footage.
Audio: AAC-LC, stereo, 48 kHz.
MP4, H.264 and AAC-LC are supported by YouTube’s recommended upload settings.
Check the finished file for balanced sound, clear vocals, readable contact details and abrupt edits. Give venues a fair representation of the performance they are booking.
6. Add accurate credits and a rights notice
Credits acknowledge the creators. They do not replace permission. Statements such as “we do not own the song” or “no infringement intended” do not authorise its use.
Use this description template, adapting it to your actual recording and licence terms:
ABOUT THIS SHOWREEL
[SHOW NAME] performs live/studio cover versions of the songs listed below. This promotional showreel showcases our own recorded performances.
PERFORMED BY
[SHOW NAME]
[PERFORMER CREDITS]
BOOKING ENQUIRIES
[BOOKING LINK OR CONTACT]
ORIGINAL SONG CREDITS
Repeat for each song:
[VIDEO TIMESTAMP] — [SONG TITLE]
Songwriters and lyricists: [ALL VERIFIED WRITERS]
Originally performed/popularised by: [ARTIST]
Original album and year: [IF APPLICABLE]
Publisher or administrator: [VERIFIED DETAILS]
RECORDING AND VIDEO CREDITS
Cover recording: [OWNER / PRODUCER]
Video: [OWNER / VIDEOGRAPHER]
RIGHTS NOTICE
The underlying musical compositions remain the copyright of their respective rights holders. No original artist master recordings are used in this video.
Include that final sentence only if it is true. Add any credit wording required by your permissions. State that synchronisation permission has been obtained only when you hold the relevant approvals.
Keep full licence documents in your business records.
7. Upload and review YouTube checks
Once permissions are in place:
Open YouTube Studio and select Create → Upload videos.
Upload your MP4.
Add the title, description, credits and thumbnail.
Select Private while reviewing the upload.
Allow processing and copyright checks to finish.
Inspect any restrictions and identify the claimant and affected excerpt.
Resolve issues before changing visibility to Public or Unlisted.
Private or unlisted uploads are useful for reviewing the finished video. They are not a licensing workaround.
YouTube warns that copyright check results are not final: later claims and removal requests can still affect the video. A clean check is therefore not proof of permission.
8. Understand claims and strikes
A Content ID claim can result in advertising revenue going to a rights holder, viewing restrictions or a block. A claim does not itself create a copyright strike.
A copyright removal request, if valid, can remove the video and result in a strike.
Some eligible cover videos can share advertising revenue with publishers. Monetisation outcomes depend on eligibility and the rights holder’s policy; they are not universally the same.
Do not dispute a claim simply because you performed the song yourself, credited the writers or used a short excerpt. Dispute only when you have a valid basis and supporting evidence.
Before you publish
Five or six songs selected, with excerpts of up to 15 seconds each.
Writers and publishers verified.
Written permissions cover the intended commercial promotion.
Every audio recording and video element is owned or appropriately licensed.
Credits and any required licence wording are included.
No unsupported claim of original artist endorsement appears.
MP4 reviewed for picture, sound and accurate booking details.
YouTube checks are reviewed, and any restrictions are addressed.
Permissions, expiry dates and the final MP4 retained.
The showreel earns attention. The permissions protect the asset you have paid to create.
Nichola Burton is co-founder and CEO of The Pushworth Group and the voice behind Musoverse. With more than three decades connecting live shows with audiences, she helps artists turn their talent into a business—and navigate the fine print that applause doesn’t cover.
