When you talk to musicians they all seem to ask one question, how do you get gigs? It is relatively easy to get bad gigs (pay to play etc) but getting decent gigs is still tough. It is hard pushing yourself without a booking agent but the only way to build your team (management/booking agent/PR etc) is by working to the point where you have a fan base and then these people will want to work with you. Playing live, alongside promoting yourself online is one of the best ways for you to build this initial fan base. The first step is getting some gigs, which can be frustrating. Here are some ideas for those either making that first step or looking to get more gigs:
- Have an elevator pitch about your band – If you meet someone in a bar who happens to be putting on gigs how do you describe your band? Can you describe your bands music in one or two sentences? Most bands want to be perceived to be original but promoters need to know who and what you sound like so they can book you alongside similar acts. Also carry a CD of your band at all times, we know of a band who got Jimmy Page of Led Zeppelin listening to their music just by giving him a CD while he was out shopping.
- Find the venues on Live Unsigned - The main Live Unsigned site has a fantastic list of venues to play at, simply type in the name of the area you want to play in into the search box and off you go. If you need a standard email to send to promoters and venues it is here.
- Make one person in the band “the booking agent” – If you’re all doing bookings it gets confusing. You can get double bookings if you’re all doing it and promoters prefer to deal with just one person. Then that person can slowly build relationships with the promoters and venues.
- Think about why bars, venues and promoters book bands – Most venues book bands to bring in people or get people drinking more. So covers bands earn a living by entertaining the customers and getting them to drink more beer. Venues that put on original, interesting bands are also looking to bring in more people. So if you want to play there really push and promote your gigs when you get them. Metallica don’t get to play stadiums because promoters like them, it is because they bring the fans to the venue. If you don’t bring people you won’t get to play again. There is more information on getting fans to gigs here.
- Choose your gigs carefully – OK so when you start the trick is to play everywhere so you get confident, but after that pick and choose. Only play places that will enhance your reputation.
- Work with charities – Charities put on some interesting gigs. For example Oxjam is a month long event that runs in the UK through October with hundreds of gigs. People love to support worthwhile events so you have more chance of fans coming to the gig and helping a decent cause is always good.
- Show promoters that you have fans – If you really want to impress promoters show them you have fans. Use real numbers such as Facebook fans, Twitter followers and the number of people on your email list. Send them links to your social network sites and tell the truth.
- Be considerate – Don’t hassle promoters relentlessly, there is a fine line between persistent and annoying. Don’t even consider phoning them on a Friday or Saturday night when the venues are busy. Personalise any correspondence and research the venues so that you know they promote gigs in your genre. If you want promoters to want to work with you make an effort and be friendly, don’t expect anything. No one is entitled to anything in the music industry.
- Over deliver on your promises – if you say you’re going to bring 15 people bring 30. Turn up early, remember people’s names and offer to help. Stand out by being harder working than anyone else.
- Have some videos of you playing on your site – Promoters want to book bands that can deliver live, have a bit of a buzz about them and that bring fans. If you have a video of your band playing live in front of a big audience make sure you have that on your website on the front page.
In the next part of this blog post we’ll look at building your local community, borrowing ideas from others and how to stand out amongst all the other bands.
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Tags: DIY Musicians, fans, Gigs, How to, Live Unsigned, playing live, promoters
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