How to get gigs for your band

2024 Author: Samantha Chapman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 09:13

OK, you have some great songs, a great look and maybe even some great recordings. Where are the screaming fans? If you want to become a music big you have to play live and that means getting gigs. Finding where to play is the only way there is to make yourself feel in the music business and find yourself fans. But how to make room for yourself? Surprise: it's pretty easy.

Steps

Step 1. Make a demo

That is, equipped with a powerful tool to get an engagement. These days a demo is usually a CD or sometimes just an audio website with your songs. How many songs to include just depends on how many you have - you might even have an entire album worth three or four. Since the demo is not usually for sale, you can also include covers as well as original material. While a well recorded demo is better than a poorly made one, it doesn't have to be ready to play on the radio. The recording quality can also be rough if the material is good and if it gives the listener a good idea of what it sounds and how good. You can record your demos in a home recording studio, on your PC, on a digital recorder or even on tape. Make sure the vocals can be heard obviously. This may mean making a few more incisions of the sung parts. Anyone who listens to your music (especially if you pass it on to people in the industry) will want to hear what you say in a song.

Step 2. Customize your demo. Anyone in the music industry gets tons of demos and it's easy to mix them up. Even if someone likes yours, they won't be able to call you if they don't know who you are so be sure to write or label the band name, contact information directly on the CD and case.

Step 3. Make a press kit

In the simplest hypothesis, it will be a single sheet of paper; while a more elegant one could be a small booklet. Your press kit will depend on your budget and how much you really have to say about your band. It should at least include your contact information and a short bio that tells something about your music, influences and experiences. You should also include a list that includes almost songs that are original and which covers. Think of it like a CV. The agent who hires you will want to know quickly what you do and where you have already played. Good photos, if you have them, will be an added touch, and in more expensive kits they can include color ones. If you have positive articles about your group, include them but don't worry if not.

Step 4. Send your demos and kit to potential locals

Bars, pubs, clubs, clubs, events, fairs, festivals, parties. No matter where you live, there will be a thousand places in your city or neighborhood. If you've never had a gig before, start here. Search online for potential places where you can exhibit. Many will expose the policy about it or ask to submit a demo. Visit the premises in person or call and talk to the manager (or even the bartender) and ask if you can leave a sample of your music. Send it along with the press kit to as many locals as you can.

You can post your demo anywhere but it will get expensive and you may find that many places don't sound the genre you do. To figure out if a particular venue might be okay, search the newspapers or trade magazines and see if these places have <i <bands or artists who play the same music as you work (these magazines and online counterparts are good for finding places that look for those who perform), or go directly and see for yourself. Wherever you see posters advertising a similar band to yours, contact the venue.
Send your demos and kit to some agents. The good ones have a lot of contacts in the music business and can book you gigs. In return, they will either get a percentage of the band's income or explain the arrangements to you. Having an agent can open many doors without the hassle of having to find a place to perform every time, but it can be expensive and some are better than others so make sure you know the person you're going to rely on.
Another internet related option would be to make a MySpace page or use a web service to host your "flyer". It's a perfect way to show off.

Step 5. Network

Maybe you know the saying, "It's not what you know, it's who you know." And there is no place where this is more true than the world of music. The more contacts you have, the more engagements you will remedy. Go to shows often and play live shows. Make friends with other musicians and express your interest in playing with them. The musicians will be able to advise you on how to get caught playing, introduce you to club agents or managers, and may even ask you to play with them. A great way to get a gig early on is to ask an established artist or famous band if you can open up, especially for free. This makes their job easier and will help you reach a larger audience.

Step 6. Booked

Having trouble getting caught playing? Do your show. You can rent the venue or better yet, secure it for free and plan your show. Usually doing something like this works but you should invite other bands as well, the more the better. This way, you can ensure a good turnout. While having your own show can be a viable option, it will still be expensive if you have to rent the venue. Check the costs and make sure it's worth it. Another option if you are young or in your early twenties is to agree to play for free in youth centers. These are unmissable opportunities for young people who often also find themselves participating in live evenings.

Step 7. Promote your evenings. Once you've got the job, you'll need to make sure there are people. Don't depend entirely on the venue for it. Put together posters, tell your fans, update the website, do whatever it takes to let people know you're hosting a concert. If they see you bring people, the club managers will be more inclined to ask you to play again and so a lot more gigs will start to arrive.

Step 8. Make a good show

Nothing will get you more gigs than taking each one seriously and giving it your all.

Be prepared. Of course you will have to play your music like a pro but you will have to be ready for each show. Find out everything you can about the place where you perform: how big it is, what the acoustics are like and what equipment they have, if you have a sound person, etc. This way you will know if you need to carry microphones, amplifiers or anything else and you will know what to expect.
Behave like a pro. Musicians have a reputation for being fickle but you can't afford to be unprofessional until you're big (and even after that you could get into trouble). Always go to the evenings and arrive early. Answer phone calls and emails promptly. Be respectful of the people who have entrusted you with the evening.
Always have a demo and a press kit available for each evening. If you did well, someone in the audience might want you at their club. Be prepared to give him a demo or at least a business card.

Step 9.

Expand your market.

Once you've established yourself locally, start moving. Try to join another band's tour, preferably a famous one, or look for venues a little further away from your city. Once you build a fan base locally, you are on your way to a record deal.

Go online. Put your music online or on sites like MySpace, EchoBoost.com or Purevolume. Build a good network of friendships that make you popular by listening to you.

While the Internet may not seem like a quick way to find gigs, if you contact weblogs specializing in your genre, you may find the right support. If you have an unusual or new sound, try indie blogs first. Sometimes a local blog or a city blog's show page might advertise you. These pages have fans who are always looking for new material. Some of the readers have knowledge

Advice

Yes, ready to play for little if any money at first or just to get noticed. Find a place that already has its own group. Playing for a short time or for free will reduce the price required to play in that venue. Once you have worked your way up you can start playing in familiar places. If you can prove that your music is strong, don't hesitate to do some "tight" deals when it comes to money. By playing for free, you lower the value of your music, not just that of others.
Generally speaking, the more songs there are on the demo, the better. An LP-length CD proves that you have a lot of material and that music is serious for you. That said, the people they hire are usually very busy and there's a good chance they only listen to a song or two. This species if they don't like the kind you do or if they think it is not suitable for their needs; even if sometimes they do while calling you anyway. This means that every song on the demo should be fabulous because I never shoot which one they hear first. Don't fill your demo with material as long as it's just to make an impression and check that the first song is impressive.
If you have a friend who wants to be your "manager" let him try - the locals love to deal with the same person, (not the drummer today and the singer tomorrow). If this friend is a reliable and charming person, able to compliment or flirt to get there, so much the better. Use everything to your advantage!
Leave slowly. When you're starting out, every gig is good, right? A private party? Great. A bar? Gone! On the corner of a street? Why not? You understand… spread your music.
Whenever possible try to build a relationship with the venue manager or manager. Some may be too busy to meet you in person but it is usually useful to stop and ask if you can send them your demo. You can, once they receive it they may remember you and take you into consideration.
Putting together a demo and press kit may seem difficult but don't make it an obsession. The demo must be good but unprofessional at best. The kit also. You're not going to get gigs until you start rolling out stuff, so… go.
If you have a good live band video clip, post it on your website. Obviously if you have been booed, forget it.
If your manager is an adult it's easier!
You should really make yourself a website or at least a web page in which to put some songs and information about your band. It is not uncommon for agents and venues to accept a link to your music instead of requesting a demo from you and some places only accept "virtual demos". Also a site can give an idea that you are more reliable and serious as a musician and will let your fans know your concert dates. Even a simple page on a social network or music site will do, even a simple link to attach to an email leading to your songs.

Warnings

Find out what kind of venue you want to play in. There are clubs that pay based on talent and ability to gather audiences. Clubs pay bands based on admissions. If you want to play in these venues you have to be able to get your fans to come there.
Sometimes being pushy can pay off, and a few friends who know other friends can get you a gig. If the club manager / promoter seems like a grumpy type maybe you don't want to bother him (or maybe ask someone to do it for you), but if he just appears busy or disorganized, then an occasional reminder won't be a bad choice.
Once the demo is delivered you can go back to the club but don't get obsessive. The people who deal with these things are full of CDs to listen to so they have to do. If you dry them, they may not want to work with you anymore.
You won't get all the gigs you want. It can actually take a while to get one. Sometimes it's just luck. Don't be hurt and keep going. Try again and again and keep making good music - people will listen to you.