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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a headshot of Empire Thief performing live at Objx Studio
Empire Thief
Emerging Artist

How Do I Make an EPK in 2026?

You can take this entire checklist and turn it into a professional, lightning-fast EPK in under 5 minutes. No credit card required.
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What is an EPK?

An EPK (Electronic Press Kit) is a digital resume that shows promoters and booking agents your best work as a musician. It combines everything they need — like your music, photos, and bio — into one simple link that is easy to open on any phone or computer.

The 2026 EPK Essentials

  1. ✅ 3 versions of your Bio
  2. ✅ High-res Press Photos (Vertical & Horizontal)
  3. ✅ Embedded Music & Live Video
  4. ✅ Technical Rider/Stage Plot
  5. ✅ Booking Contact Info

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 a band 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.

How Do I Make an EPK in 2026?

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

How Do I Make an EPK in 2026?

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.