A Direct Alternative to Alive Network for UK Entertainment Bookings
Book Performers with visible credential badges Without Agency Commission — contracts and clear payment records Built In
Alive Network is one of the UK's largest entertainment agencies. They've been booking acts for 27 years and they're good at what they do. But their model is an agency model — they sit between you and the performer, take a commission on every booking, and control which acts you can access. AnyGig is built differently. Direct booking, Performers with visible credential badges, automatic contracts and clear payment records on every booking. No agency in the middle.
How the Agency Model Works — and What It Costs
Traditional entertainment agencies like Alive Network operate on a commission model. A performer quotes their fee. The agency adds their margin — typically 15–25% — and presents the total to the hirer as the booking cost. The hirer pays the agency. The agency pays the performer. The commission is built into the price but rarely itemised.
This model made sense before direct booking platforms existed. Agency coordinators sourced acts, managed relationships and handled logistics that hirers couldn't do themselves. For some event formats, that service still has value.
But for event planners, corporate clients and agencies who book entertainment regularly — who know what they want, who have the infrastructure to manage bookings professionally — paying 15–25% agency commission on every single booking is a significant cost without a proportionate return.
AnyGig removes the agency layer. You post a brief, Performers with visible credential badges apply, you confirm the booking — contract generated automatically, payment secured through the platform. Direct. Transparent. Professional.
Alive Network vs AnyGig
| Feature | Alive Network | AnyGig |
|---|---|---|
| Model | Traditional agency | Direct booking platform |
| Commission | 15–25% on every booking | No traditional agency commission |
| Performer access | Curated agency roster | Performers with visible credential badges apply to your brief |
| Contracts | Handled by agency | Generated automatically on every booking |
| Payment records | Managed by agency | Recorded with the booking |
| PLI verification | Agency managed | Verified and displayed on every profile |
| Booking dashboard | Not included | Universal dashboard — all bookings in one place |
| Multi-event management | Per-booking basis | All events managed in one place |
| Transparency | Agency markup built in | Direct performer fees, no hidden margin |
| Best for | One-off bookings with full agency support | Professional event planners booking regularly |
What You Get With Direct Booking
When you book through AnyGig, the performer fee is the performer fee. No agency margin on top. No coordinator handling the relationship on your behalf — you communicate directly with the performer within the platform, with every message logged against the booking record.
Every booking automatically includes:
Verified public liability insurance — confirmed on every profile
Instant contract generation — performance terms locked in on confirmation
Payment route and fees shown before payment
Direct performer communication — all logged within the booking record
Cancellation terms recorded in the contract before payment
Full booking audit trail — every record in your dashboard
When an Agency Is Still the Right Choice
AnyGig isn't the right solution for every situation. If you're booking a one-off event, have no experience managing entertainment bookings and want a coordinator to handle everything end-to-end — a full-service agency may be worth the commission.
AnyGig is built for event professionals who book regularly, manage multiple events simultaneously and want direct access to Performers with visible credential badges with professional booking infrastructure — without paying agency commission on every single booking.
If you're booking entertainment more than once a year, agency commission adds up fast. AnyGig gives you the professional booking infrastructure without the markup.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is AnyGig free to use for hirers?
Yes — posting a brief and receiving applications from performers is completely free. You only pay when you confirm a booking.
How do I know performers on AnyGig are professional quality?
AnyGig operates a curated act listing model. All act listings are reviewed for quality and professionalism. PLI is verified on every listed profile.
What happens if a performer cancels?
Every booking includes a contract with cancellation terms. If the performer cancels or fails to attend, the hirer is entitled to a refund of amounts paid for that booking under the recorded terms. AnyGig may help you find alternatives but cannot guarantee a replacement.
Can I manage multiple events and bookings in one place?
Yes — AnyGig's universal dashboard gives you a single view of every booking, contract and payment across all your events simultaneously.
Professional Entertainment Booking Without Agency Commission
Performers with visible credential badges. Automatic contracts. Clear payment records. Direct booking. Post your first brief free today and see why event planners are moving to direct booking.
Last updated: 25 August 2026