December 2nd, 2011

How do you get support slots with touring bands?

One of the things unsigned bands often want to do is do support slots with well known acts. Support slots allow you the opportunity to connect to both a new audience and people within the industry. Bands have supports for a few reasons but mostly to get a few extra people through the door. Sometimes when a band is signed to a label they will get bands on the same label to do the tour support. Here are a few things you can do to help you get support slots:

  • Make friends with the bands you want to support – The best way to get support slots is to have the bands themselves recommend you for the slot. Getting to know people in bands is easier than you would imagine, especially if they are active on Twitter or you live near a place where the bands hang out. Don’t go asking for a support slot straight away, focus on building a friendship just by talking about shared interests, otherwise you will come across as just another desperate spammer. Don’t forget tour managers, roadies, lighting people and others within the industry can also have an influence on decisions. Make friends with everyone and treat them with respect. Be genuine and honest, people will see through you otherwise!
  • Build relationships with promoters – Offer to play the horrible last minute gigs and bring an audience. Make friends with everyone in the venue and work harder than any other band to get people to the gig. Post gig dates on Twitter, your website and Live Unsigned. Make sure you are the band promoters think of first.
  • Approach your contacts at the right time – Ideally before the gigs are announced or as soon as they are. Don’t hassle bands when they are in the studio, play the long game and build relationships over time.
  • Play for free – Sometimes it is best to look at support slots as free marketing, exposing your music to a new audience. This is why it is so important to get email addresses and sell CDs/merchandise. You are unlikely to get paid at this stage and even if you do it won’t be much more than expenses. It is all about working your way up.
  • Remember that some support slots are paid for – It may seem shocking but “buy ons” are not unusual for support slots, bands pay to support better known bands for the chance to play for their audience. For a UK tour with a well know band support acts have been known to pay thousands for the opportunity. It happens more than you would think.
  • Focus on support slots in your local area – Initially focus on getting the local support slots, where you have a local fanbase that will come and see you. This should give you the chance to bring a decent crowd.

Once you get the support slot it is all about making the most of the opportunity to try and get more supports. There is a blog post we wrote here about it here, once you have that support slot make every effort to connect with the other bands audience.  Decent support slots are hard to get but can really help you to fast track your career.

Tags: , , , , ,
Posted in Top Tips | Comments Off

December 7th, 2010

Making the most of supporting signed bands

Sorry folks no picture this week as Paul was too busy celebrating his 21st birthday!

As an unsigned artist one of the best ways to build your career is to support a well known band. Often promoters will add a local act to the bill to get some more people through the door. There are a few ways to get these gigs, sending off a demo to the venue will very rarely help you with this one. The way to do it is by getting to know the people promoting or know people they know. So be friendly with bloggers, journalists, the people who build the bands website, local promoters and the fans on the forum of the band you want to support. All these people can recommend you to the promoters of larger events.

In this situation its all about your reputation for being great live, being professional, bringing fans and who you know. This is where doing lots of free stuff (gigs, social media and giving away MP3′s) can pay off. Here are some things well worth doing:

Show respect – The music industry is very much a people industry. The reason the headliners are where they are is because they are good at what they do and their audience love them (whether you like them or not is irrelevant). Make friends with everyone from the promoter to the tour manager to the band themselves. Being friendly and helpful and professional is vital at this point. You are building your reputation with every move you make. Shake everybody’s hand, say thank you and do not steal the headliners beer/food/partner.

Make sure you do as much as you can to get people to the gig – Use social media, your mailing list, blogs and a Live Unsigned listing to get your audience there. The promoter will appreciate this.

Don’t panic – you probably won’t get a sound check. Its just the way it is when doing supports to big bands. Do a quick line check and put on an amazing show, even if it sounds rubbish on stage give it your all. You will also notice only 10% of the lighting rig is being used during your performance and you are considerably less loud than the headliner. These are both standard things, don’t start moaning about it or will not get the opportunity to do these sort of gigs again. Don’t be a support band diva. Promoters want to work with people they like, you can be the best band in the world but if you are idiots you won’t do well in this industry.

Have flyers to hand out and leave on the merch stand – They only need to feature your album, some favorable quotes and your website but it gives people another link to your act to take away. Check with the promoter/venue that its ok to hand them out.

Ask if you can sell merchandise  – Can you sell your CD’s at the venue? Do the headliners have a merch stall you can sell your stuff on also? If there is, how much commission will they charge? On top of this the venue can also take as much as 20% of overall sales (this is why T-Shirts are more expensive at gigs).

Be confident – One thing to remember is that bigger gigs are actually easier for performers than playing in a pub or bar. The audience are there to see live music and however big the venue due to the lighting you will most likely only be able to see the first few rows. There is security and pro sound engineers on the desk. Show you deserve to be up there by giving the audience an amazing and confident live show.

Mailing list  – Have someone with a clipboard collecting emails preferably on the merchandise table. These emails are the tools for you building a relationship with fans and ultimately will give you a career.

Meet the fans as they go out of the venue – You are not a big act, don’t hide away. Be amongst the audience, meet people, direct them to the CD’s on the merch stand, have flyers ready, sign stuff and be friendly. This is a great chance to build your fan base.

Agree payment -  Agree on this with the promoter in advance, preferably in writing. Often these sort of gigs aren’t paid, you will have to work out for yourself if the exposure from playing to a large audience is worth playing for free.

Sort out the details – Where can you park the van? Is there a rider or guest list? Do you get a dressing room? What time do you need to be there? Knowledge is power, work out your day to the minute. Don’t be late or have non working gear, double check everything. This is your chance to play on a bigger stage. Are you ready for the challenge?

Fill out the PRS forms – In the UK if you fill out the PRS (Performing Rights Society) forms you can get publishing money for the songs you have played – as long as you and your songs are PRS registered. This varies from country to country depending on the company you register with.

These sort of shows are a great chance to connect with a larger audience and make some new friends and business contacts. Make sure you make the most of it.

Tags: , , ,
Posted in Top Tips | Comments Off