How to Get Paid When You Play Live in the US
By Written by Peter McVeigh
ASCAP OnStage, BMI Live and SESAC reporting, the deadlines, and the mistakes that cost writers money.
If you write your own songs and play them live, you may be owed a royalty. Your PRO can only pay for a gig it knows about, and each one has its own rules and deadlines. So report your setlist.
I checked the details in this guide on 4 November 2026. Fees and rules change, so check each organization's own page before you rely on them.
What you need first
Be a writer member of the PRO, register your songs, and keep the gig details: date, venue and songs played. Report only to the PRO that represents the song's writers.
: ASCAP OnStage: BMI Live
Who can submit: Writer members on direct deposit: BMI songwriters, including headliners and openers
Venue: ASCAP-licensed venue of any size: Check BMI's Live FAQ. Third-party guidance says any size
Time limit: End of the following quarter: Previous six months
Payment: In the matching distribution, based on venue license fee: Quarterly
ASCAP OnStage
Select direct deposit in Member Access first. Then create a setlist from your registered works, add each performance and venue, and submit. One writer's claim pays all writers and publishers on the registered title. Newly registered works can take up to seven days to process. Include covers too.
Show date: Claim by
January 1 to March 31: June 30
April 1 to June 30: September 30
July 1 to September 30: December 31
October 1 to December 31: March 31 next year
ASCAP says late claims can't be processed. It generally excludes performances such as private parties, religious services and non-permitted events. Symphonic, recital and educational performances use a separate notification route.
Two deadline examples
You play on February 14. Your claim is due by June 30.
You play on November 20. Your claim is due by March 31 the following year.
Save time on tour
Songtrust's walkthrough notes that you can reuse a saved setlist for multiple performances, so a tour doesn't mean rebuilding it every night. Just update it if the set changes.
BMI Live
Enter performance details and setlists through BMI Online Services or the BMI Mobile app. BMI says you can submit concerts from the previous six months, and royalties are paid quarterly. Check its deadlines page for the current cut-offs.
SESAC
SESAC affiliates log in to the portal, open Performance Info and click Add Performance. They go through Performance Details, Song Selection, and Review & Submit. Bulk setlists can be submitted for big tours.
How much will you get?
Don't expect a big payment from a small gig. ASCAP's royalty depends on the venue's license fee, so bigger venues generate more. Small amounts still add up, and an unreported gig pays you nothing.
Keep a simple gig log
Date: Venue, city and state: Set used: Covers included: Reported on
Example: March 6: Example Room, Nashville, TN: Spring set A: Yes: March 6
The example is made up. A spreadsheet or a phone note is plenty. It helps when a claim is declined or you need to chase something.
Common mistakes
Skipping small shows.
Playing songs that aren't registered.
Missing the deadline.
Choosing the wrong venue.
Leaving covers off.
Touring from abroad
ASCAP says foreign affiliates submit through their own society. If you're with PRS and playing the US, report it through PRS.
What to do next
Report your next gig the same night. Our Setlist Creator keeps each set ready to go, and a simple gig log means nothing gets missed.
Sources
ASCAP OnStage: https://www.ascap.com/music-creators/ascap-onstage
BMI Live: https://www.bmi.com/live
Hypebot, Reporting setlists: https://www.hypebot.com/how-to-report-setlists-to-pros-after-performing-live/
Songtrust, ASCAP setlists: https://help.songtrust.com/knowledge/how-do-i-submit-a-setlist-through-ascap
Disclaimer
General information, not legal or financial advice.