How to Make an EPK That Helps Your Band Book Shows

If your band is contacting venues, promoters, festivals, labels, or music publications, you will probably be asked for an EPK.

An EPK gives music industry contacts the information they need without making them search through several social profiles, email attachments, and streaming platforms.

In this guide, you will learn how to make an EPK, which sections to include, what mistakes to avoid, and how to create a professional press kit that is easy to share.

What Is an EPK?

EPK stands for electronic press kit. It is a digital collection of the most important information about your band.

An electronic press kit for bands normally includes:

• A short band biography
• Your best music
• A live performance video
• Professional band photos
• Important achievements or statistics
• Upcoming or previous shows
• Booking and press contact details

A good EPK works like a professional introduction to your band. It should help someone quickly understand who you are, what you sound like, and whether you are suitable for an opportunity.

Why Do Bands Need an EPK?

Promoters, journalists, venues, festivals, and labels often review many bands. They do not want to search across several websites to find your music, biography, photos, and contact information.

A clear band press kit keeps everything in one place.

Your EPK can help when you are:

• Contacting venues for gigs
• Applying to play festivals
• Pitching your music to press and radio
• Looking for support slots
• Contacting record labels
• Sending information to booking agents

It also makes your band look more organized. A promoter is more likely to take your request seriously when the information is complete, easy to understand, and professionally presented.

For the full booking process, read our complete guide to booking gigs as an unsigned band.

What Should Be Included in an EPK?

Your EPK should be useful without becoming too long. Focus on the information a promoter or journalist is most likely to need.

1. A Short Band Biography

Your biography should quickly explain:

• Where your band is from
• What genre you play
• When the band formed
• What makes your music distinctive
• Your most important recent activity

A short biography of around 100 to 200 words is usually enough for the main EPK page.

Example of a Short Band Biography

Hollow State are an alternative rock band from Birmingham, combining atmospheric guitars, energetic rhythms, and direct songwriting. Formed in 2023, the band have built their live sound through shows across the UK and support slots with several independent touring acts. Their latest EP, “No Way Home,” was released in 2026 and explores isolation, movement, and the pressure of starting again.

Avoid including every lineup change, rehearsal, and recording detail. Save the longer story for interviews or an extended biography.

2. Your Best Track

Do not expect someone to listen to your complete discography.

Place your strongest or most relevant track near the top of the EPK. It should represent your current sound and lineup.

You can include:

• An embedded streaming player
• A Spotify or Apple Music link
• A Bandcamp player
• A music video

If you are promoting a new release, make that track easy to find. If you are pitching for a specific event, choose the song that best fits the promoter's audience.

3. A Strong Live Video

A recorded track shows how your band sounds. A live video shows whether you can perform.

This is especially important when your EPK is being used to book shows.

Your live video should:

• Show the full band clearly
• Have understandable sound
• Represent your current lineup
• Start without a long introduction
• Show the energy of your performance

The video does not need to be a large professional production. A clear recording from a real show can be more useful than an expensive video that does not show how the band performs live.

Choose one strong video rather than making the promoter open several different links.

4. Professional Band Photos

Your EPK should include current, high-quality photos that promoters and journalists can use.

Try to provide:

• A horizontal band photo
• A vertical band photo
• A square image for social media
• One or two live photos

The photos should show the current members of the band and match your visual identity.

Make the full-resolution files easy to download. Do not expect someone to take a low-quality screenshot from Instagram.

Include Photo Credits

Add the photographer's name when required. This helps press contacts publish the image correctly and gives proper credit to the person who created it.

5. Your Band Members

Include a simple list of the current members and their roles.

For example:

• Jamie Reed — Vocals
• Alex Morgan — Guitar
• Sam Carter — Bass
• Chris Hall — Drums

You can add short member biographies if they are relevant, but they are not essential for a basic EPK.

6. Important Achievements and Statistics

Your EPK can include proof that your band is active and growing.

Useful information might include:

• Important support slots
• Festival appearances
• Sold-out shows
• Press coverage
• Radio support
• Streaming milestones
• Social audience numbers
• Recent tour dates

Only include information that is accurate and meaningful.

For example, “supported Example Band at a 300-capacity venue” is more useful than listing every small show you have played.

Do Not Inflate Your Numbers

Promoters understand that unsigned bands are still building their audience. Honest numbers are more valuable than exaggerated claims.

If your band can realistically bring 30 people to a local show, say that. Do not promise to fill a venue unless you can support that claim.

7. Press Quotes and Coverage

If your band has received useful press coverage, include a few short quotes.

Choose quotes that describe your music, live performance, or recent release.

For example:

“A confident mix of heavy guitars and atmospheric songwriting.” — Example Music Magazine

Link each quote to the original article when possible.

Do not fill the page with every review you have received. Two or three strong quotes are usually enough.

8. Upcoming and Previous Shows

Show that your band is active by including selected tour dates or live history.

You can include:

• Upcoming shows
• Recent headline dates
• Support slots
• Festival appearances
• Relevant past venues

Keep this section updated. An EPK filled with dates from several years ago can make the band look inactive.

9. Clear Contact Information

Contact details are one of the most important parts of your EPK.

Include:

• Booking contact name
• Booking email address
• Press contact, if different
• Phone number when appropriate
• Official website
• Main social links

Make sure the email address is checked regularly.

A promoter should never need to search for a way to contact you after viewing the EPK.

10. A Technical Rider

A technical rider is not always needed on the main EPK page, but it should be available when you are booking shows.

It can include:

• Stage layout
• Input list
• Microphone requirements
• Backline requirements
• Power requirements
• Changeover needs
• Contact details for technical questions

Provide it as a separate download instead of placing every technical detail on the main page.

How to Organize Your EPK

The order of your EPK matters. Put the most useful information first.

A simple structure is:

1. Band name and main press photo
2. Short biography
3. Best track
4. Live video
5. Upcoming shows
6. Photos
7. Achievements and press quotes
8. Members
9. Contact information
10. Technical rider download

Someone should be able to understand your band without reading every word.

Should an EPK Be a Website or a PDF?

An EPK can be a hosted web page, a downloadable PDF, or both.

Hosted EPK Page

A hosted page is often the easiest format to share because it uses one link.

It can include:

• Music players
• Videos
• Downloadable photos
• Upcoming events
• Contact links
• Regular updates

EPK PDF

A PDF is useful when someone wants to download your information or share it internally.

However, a PDF can become outdated if you add new shows, releases, or members.

The most practical solution is often a hosted EPK page with an optional downloadable PDF.

How Long Should an EPK Be?

Your EPK should be detailed enough to answer the main questions but short enough to scan quickly.

Avoid turning it into a complete archive of the band.

For the main page:

• Keep the biography short
• Feature one main track
• Feature one strong live video
• Use a small selection of photos
• Show only your strongest press quotes
• Keep contact information visible

Additional files can be available as downloads for people who need more information.

Common EPK Mistakes

Using Outdated Information

Update your biography, lineup, photos, releases, and shows regularly.

An EPK showing old members or expired tour dates creates confusion.

Including Too Much Information

More content does not always make an EPK better. A promoter should not need to read several pages before finding your music.

Hiding the Best Music

Place your strongest track and live video near the top. Do not bury them beneath a long biography.

Using Poor-Quality Photos

Dark phone photos, screenshots, and heavily compressed images are difficult for press and promoters to use.

Sending Large Attachments

Large email attachments may be blocked or ignored. Share one EPK link instead.

Making Files Difficult to Download

If you offer photos, logos, or a technical rider, make the download buttons clear and test every link.

Using Too Many Links

Your EPK should reduce the number of links you need to send. It should not send the promoter through ten different websites.

Forgetting Contact Details

Your EPK has failed if someone likes your band but cannot quickly contact you.

Writing a Biography Full of Empty Claims

Avoid phrases such as:

• The next biggest band
• A completely unique sound
• Taking the world by storm
• An unforgettable musical journey

Use real details about your sound, releases, shows, and activity instead.

EPK Checklist for Bands

Before sharing your EPK, make sure it includes:

• Your band name and logo
• A short and current biography
• Your best track
• A strong live video
• Professional photos
• Current band members
• Relevant achievements
• Selected press quotes
• Upcoming or important past shows
• Booking and press contacts
• Social and streaming links
• A technical rider when required

Test the page on both desktop and mobile. Check that every music player, video, link, and download works.

How to Send Your EPK to Venues

Include the EPK as one clear link inside your booking email.

For example:

You can find our music, live video, photos, and booking information in our EPK: [EPK link]

Do not send only the EPK link with no introduction. Your email should still explain who you are, why you are contacting the venue, and what opportunity you want.

Use our venue booking email template to structure your message.

Create a Hosted EPK With Band Social

Band Social gives bands a hosted public page that can work as an electronic press kit and a simple band website.

Your public EPK page can include:

• Your band biography
• Genre and band information
• Band members
• Upcoming public shows
• Photo galleries
• Streaming and social links
• Embedded music
• A contact form
• A downloadable EPK PDF

You can share one short link with venues, promoters, festivals, and press contacts instead of sending several separate files.

When you update your band profile, events, photos, or links, your public page remains the central source of information.

Explore the public page, booking, and social tools on the Band Social features page.

Frequently Asked Questions About EPKs

What is an EPK for a band?

An EPK is a digital press kit containing a band's biography, music, live video, photos, achievements, show information, and contact details.

Do unsigned bands need an EPK?

Yes. An EPK makes it easier for venues, promoters, journalists, and festivals to understand and evaluate your band.

How do I make an EPK for free?

You can create a simple hosted page using your existing biography, music links, live footage, photos, and contact details. The most important part is making the information clear and easy to access.

Should an EPK include every song?

No. Feature your strongest or most relevant track and provide a link to the rest of your music.

Should I include social media statistics?

Include them when they are useful and current. Do not let follower numbers take attention away from the music, live performance, and booking information.

How often should an EPK be updated?

Update it whenever your lineup, biography, releases, photos, contact details, or important shows change. Review it before every major booking or press campaign.

Can an EPK replace a band website?

A well-built hosted EPK can provide most of the information promoters, fans, and press contacts expect from a simple band website.

Make Your Band Easy to Book

Learning how to make an EPK is mainly about making your band easy to understand and easy to contact.

Start with a short biography, your best track, a strong live video, professional photos, useful proof, and clear contact details. Keep the design simple, update the information regularly, and place everything behind one reliable link.

A good EPK will not guarantee every opportunity, but it removes unnecessary barriers and gives promoters the information they need to consider your band.