Artist On-Boarding Checklist

A free, practical guide for independent Indian artists. Part of the Indie Music India toolkit.

Artist On-boarding Checklist (India)

Use this checklist when taking on a new artist. Complete all sections within the first 30 days of the management relationship. Items marked * are legally or financially critical.

Section 1: Artist Identity and Biography

✓Legal full name (as per Aadhaar / PAN)
✓Stage name / artist name
✓Date of birth
✓City of residence and home state
✓Contact number and preferred communication channel (WhatsApp / Email)
✓Emergency contact name and number
✓Short bio (150 words), confirm artist has approved this version
✓Long bio (500 words), confirm artist has approved this version
✓Artist photo: minimum 3 high-res images (3000px+), cleared for press use
✓Genre(s), primary and secondary
✓Languages the artist performs in
✓Artist's self-described influences (for press and pitch use)

Section 2: Legal and Financial Documents

✓PAN Card copy, required for all income tax compliance and TDS
✓Aadhaar Card copy, required for identity verification
✓Bank account details: Account name, account number, IFSC code, bank branch
✓GST registration number (if applicable, required if annual income exceeds INR 20L threshold)
✓Cancelled cheque or bank statement for account verification
✓Signed Artist Management Agreement (dated, witnessed)
✓Confirm whether artist has an existing accountant / CA, if yes, get contact details

Section 3: Existing Contracts and Commitments

✓Any active record label agreement, get full copy
✓Any active publishing agreement, get full copy
✓Any active distribution agreement (DistroKid, TuneCore, Believe, etc.), confirm term and exclusivity
✓Any active booking agency agreement, get full copy
✓Any brand endorsement or sponsorship agreements, get full copy
✓Any outstanding advances received (label, publisher, brand), document amounts and recoupment status
✓Confirmed upcoming shows or tours, dates, venues, fees agreed
✓Any existing copyright registrations (IPRS, Copyright Office), document

Section 4: Digital Presence Audit

✓Spotify for Artists, confirm artist has claimed profile, note monthly listeners
✓Apple Music for Artists, confirmed claimed
✓YouTube channel, URL, subscriber count, monetisation status (yes/no)
✓Instagram, handle, follower count, average engagement rate
✓Facebook, page URL, follower count
✓Twitter/X, handle, follower count
✓JioSaavn, profile claimed (yes/no)
✓Gaana, profile claimed (yes/no)
✓Wynk, profile claimed (yes/no)
✓Linktree or equivalent smart link, URL
✓Artist website, URL (if exists)
✓Email mailing list, platform used, number of subscribers

Section 5: Existing Music Catalogue

✓Full list of released tracks, title, release date, ISRC code, distributor
✓Full list of unreleased recorded tracks
✓Any music videos released, YouTube URLs
✓Any music licensed for sync (films, ads, TV), document deals
✓Are masters owned by artist or a label?, confirm for each release
✓Are publishing rights registered with IPRS?, confirm
✓Does artist have a registered performing rights society membership?, IPRS / PPL

Section 6: Live Performance History

✓List of cities performed in (last 12 months)
✓List of key venues performed at
✓Typical fee range for headline shows
✓Typical fee range for festival appearances
✓Has artist performed at NH7 Weekender, Bacardi NH7, Ziro, Magnetic Fields, or equivalent? (key credibility markers)
✓Does artist have a technical rider?, if yes, get copy
✓Does artist have a hospitality rider?, if yes, get copy
✓Stage plot, get current version
✓Input list, get current version
✓Does artist travel with a band? How many members?

Section 7: Press and Media

✓Existing press coverage, collect all published articles and reviews
✓Existing radio play, note stations, show names
✓Any existing PR agency relationship?, if yes, term and exclusivity
✓EPK (Electronic Press Kit), does one exist? If yes, get current version
✓One-sheet, does one exist? If yes, get current version

Section 8: Goals and Vision (Document in Writing)

✓Artist's 12-month goal (specific and measurable)
✓Artist's 3-year vision
✓Priority: Live performance / Recording / Brand partnerships / Sync / Other?
✓Markets the artist wants to develop (cities, international?)
✓Non-negotiables: things the artist will NOT do (brands, genres, collaborators)
✓Ideal collaborators the artist wants to work with
✓Monthly time available for music career vs. other commitments

Section 9: Financial Baseline

✓Current monthly income from music (all sources combined)
✓Current monthly expenses attributable to music career
✓How is the artist currently funding their music? (savings, day job, family, brand deals)
✓Does artist have a separate bank account for music income? (recommended, set up if not)
✓Is artist filing annual IT returns?, confirm

Section 10: First 30-Day Action Plan

✓Management Agreement signed and filed
✓Intro call completed, goals documented
✓Full digital audit completed
✓All existing contracts reviewed
✓IPRS / PPL registration confirmed or initiated
✓Bank account for music income opened (if not already)
✓Immediate opportunities identified and communicated to artist
✓Monthly check-in schedule agreed

Free to use · Part of the Indie Music India toolkit · Updated September 2026