As the person who deals with bookings for out ceilidh band, I don't have a lot of time for most agents. Generally, what happened was that I got an "urgent" request from an agent to see if we were free on a particular date, and to send him or her details of repertoire, a band photo, fee, etc. etc. Having sent in the stuff as a matter of "urgency", I then heard usually nothing for weeks and, on requesting an update, was told that the client was "still making their minds up". Then, mainly, nothing.

I now turn down all requests from agents except one, who we know, and whose email requests are for confirmed, agreed bookings. I accept those if we're free. He transfers the fee into my bank account a week before the gig so that I can pay the band cash on the night. It all works and he's very reliable, but it's a firm "no" to anyone else. Most of our bookings come from word of mouth or via our website anyway.

Slightly off-piste: When I was playing in a rock'n roll band, many years ago, we used a local south coast agent who had many of the local British Legions and Trades & Labour clubs sewn up, and we got lots of work from him. But he was occasionally greedy and booked us in a '60s band when he knew perfectly well we played mainly '50s music. So those people who turned up for a dance in flared trousers, hippy wigs and crimplene shirts, expecting stuff from the Stone, Beatles, etc., weren't very pleased when we turned up and banged out Eddie Cochran, Buddy Holly and so on. When they complained to us, we simply said, "Blame the agent" and carried on playing.

So, mixed views on agents...