Touring · Booking agencies

CAA vs WME vs UTA for touring musicians. How the three agencies compare.

In short: CAA, WME and UTA do the same job for a touring musician: they sell live dates and take a commission. On the 2026 Coachella lineup, each of the three held 12 percent of the bookings (Billboard). With shares that even, the agency name alone will not decide a tour. What decides it is the individual agent, how much of that agent's time your act gets, and whether the agency's other divisions fit your plan.

How the three compare

CAA (Creative Artists Agency)

CAA closed its purchase of rival agency ICM Partners in June 2022, in a deal reported at $750 million (Music Business Worldwide). The Pinault family's investment company Artémis became its majority shareholder in 2023 (TheWrap). In June 2024 the agent Cheryl Paglierani moved from UTA to CAA, and Post Malone moved with her (Pollstar).

WME

WME now sits inside WME Group, the name for the representation businesses of Endeavor after Silver Lake finalized its $25 billion take-private in March 2025 (Pollstar). In August 2024 Billie Eilish and Finneas moved their live touring to WME from Wasserman Music so that film, TV and music would be handled by one agency (Pollstar). That is the cross-division argument in practice.

UTA (United Talent Agency)

The Agency Group merged with UTA in 2015 (Pollstar). UTA matched CAA and WME at 12 percent of the 2026 Coachella bill (Billboard).

The agency most comparisons leave out

Wasserman Music accounted for 33 percent of the 2026 Coachella bookings, nearly three times the share of any of the three (Billboard). One festival is one measure, and it does not rank a whole business, but a musician comparing agencies should put Wasserman on the same list.

What actually differs for a touring musician

The agent. Agents move and clients often follow them, as Post Malone did in 2024. Ask who would book your tour day to day and who covers for that person.
Your place on the roster. Ask which acts at your level that agent has moved up, and how many acts the agent carries now.
The other divisions. Film and TV departments only matter if your plan uses them.
The money. Booking agents typically take about 10 percent of live gross, sometimes up to 15 percent (Booking Agent). Have a music lawyer read the agreement.

Agent first or manager first?

An agent sells the dates that a plan calls for. A manager builds the plan and usually brings in the agent. Agencies sign on once there are shows to sell, so for most artists the manager comes first. Music manager vs booking agent covers the difference, and US management for international artists covers the order for an artist coming from abroad.

Questions and answers

How do CAA and WME compare for touring musicians?

They do the same job: both sell live dates for a commission, and on the 2026 Coachella lineup each held 12 percent of the bookings, according to Billboard. The useful comparison is between the individual agents and how much attention your act would get from them. WME and CAA both also have film and TV divisions, which matters if your plan goes beyond touring.

Is CAA or WME better for musicians?

Neither is better in general. Billboard put both at 12 percent of the 2026 Coachella bill. A musician should compare the actual agent who would book the tour: which acts at the same level that agent has moved up, and which markets and buyers that agent knows.

What is the difference between UTA, CAA and WME?

All three are large talent agencies that book concert tours and also represent clients in film, TV and other fields. They differ in ownership, history and the specific agents on staff. Artémis became CAA's majority owner in 2023, and WME is part of WME Group, taken private by Silver Lake in 2025. The Agency Group merged with UTA in 2015.

Are CAA, WME and UTA music managers?

No. They are booking agencies. An agent sells the live dates. A manager runs the whole career and usually brings in the agent, with the artist's approval.

How much commission do CAA, WME and UTA take from a musician?

Booking agents typically take about 10 percent of the gross from a live performance, sometimes up to 15 percent. The rate and what it applies to are set in the agreement, so have a music lawyer read it before signing.

Can an international artist sign with CAA, WME or UTA for a US tour?

Yes, once there is demand a US agent can sell to promoters: US listeners, US fans, and proof that tickets will move. A US manager usually builds that demand first and then brings in the agent, because agencies sign on once there are shows to sell.

Last reviewed November 8, 2026

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