The 2026 Musician EPK Checklist: What Booking Agents Actually Want to See

So, you’ve got the music, the vibe, and the drive. Now you want the gigs. Whether you’re submitting to a major festival or a local club in Toronto, the first thing a promoter will ask for is your EPK (Electronic Press Kit).
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Empire Thief
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So, you’ve got the music, the vibe, and the drive. Now you want the gigs. Whether you’re submitting to a major festival or a local club in Toronto, the first thing a promoter will ask for is your EPK (Electronic Press Kit).

In 2026, the "standard" PDF attachment is dead. Promoters are busier than ever, and they want a fast, mobile-friendly link that gives them everything in one click.

Here is the essential 5-step checklist for a professional musician press kit that actually gets you booked.

1. The "High-Impact" Bio

Your bio shouldn't be a novel. According to our recent data on musician bio examples, you need three versions:

  • The Elevator Pitch (1 sentence): For social media and quick intros.
  • The Short Bio (1 paragraph): For festival lineups and Spotify.
  • The Full Bio (3 paragraphs): For your "About" page and press features.

2. High-Resolution Press Photos

Don't just upload one photo. Promoters need variety for different formats:

  • Landscape (Horizontal): For website banners and Facebook events.
  • Portrait (Vertical): For Instagram Stories and posters.
  • Live Shot: To prove you can actually pull a crowd and put on a show.

3. The "Instant Listen" (Spotify & Video)

Don't make them search for you. Your EPK must include:

  • An Embedded Player: Your top 2-3 tracks should be playable directly on the page.
  • Live Performance Video: A raw, high-quality video of you performing is the #1 way to build trust with a booking agent.

4. Technical Rider & Stage Plot

This is the most overlooked part of an EPK. Including a simple PDF download of your stage plot shows you are a professional who won't cause a headache for the sound engineer on show day.

5. Direct Contact Information

Make it easy to reach you. Include a clear "Booking" email address and links to your most active social media channels.

Don't Let Tech Hold You Back

Building a press kit used to take hours of coding or expensive designers. In 2026, you should be playing chords, not code.

Ready to build your 2026 EPK?

You can take this entire checklist and turn it into a professional, lightning-fast EPK in under 5 minutes. No credit card required.
Start for Free

Ready to build your 2026 EPK?

You can take this entire checklist and turn it into a professional, lightning-fast EPK in under 5 minutes. No credit card required.
Start for Free

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I DIY an EPK, or should I hire someone?

Short Answer
You can DIY a strong EPK if you focus on quality assets and clarity.
Long Answer
DIY is fine if you prioritize good photos, a clean headline, one solid video, and an easy way to download/send the EPK. Invest in a pro photographer or videographer when you can, but don’t wait forever — a simple, well-organized EPK beats a perfect one that never goes live.

Do I need an EPK?

Short Answer
Yes — it’s the fastest way to show a promoter who you are and how you perform.
Long Answer
An EPK is a concise package that answers a booker’s key questions at a glance: sound, performance quality, press assets, and booking contact. Instead of sending messy links or long emails, a well-designed EPK gives promoters exactly what they need to say “yes.”

How long should my EPK bio be?

Short Answer
One paragraph for the EPK, plus short & long versions for other uses.
Long Answer
For the EPK itself, write one tight paragraph (3–5 sentences) that describes your sound, a notable credit, and a booking contact. Keep longer bios for press kits or website About pages.

What should I put first in my EPK?

Short Answer
Lead with your headline + one short performance clip.
Long Answer
Start with a clear hero headline (artist name, genre, city) and an immediate performance sample — a short video or your best track. That combo answers “who” and “how do they sound live,” which is what most bookers decide on quickly.