Members Bassjunkie99 Posted February 11, 2009 Members Share Posted February 11, 2009 I play in a band with a steadily growing fan base, but we have not quite reached the point of headlining the 'premier' venues in neighboring cities. We would really like to secure more opening slots for some larger acts at different venues, but we're unsure of the best approach to book these shows. I've heard that our best bet is to contact the bands (or their booking / management company) directly and offer to play an opening slot. Has anyone had luck booking these types of slots through the venue directly, or are they typically only receptive to bands that can fill their venue by themselves? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members bostonwal Posted February 12, 2009 Members Share Posted February 12, 2009 I would contact bands and contact the booking guy at the venues. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators daddymack Posted February 12, 2009 Moderators Share Posted February 12, 2009 try the band's management. They will be more inclined to look at you if your music is a good fit for their audience, but remember, you have to prove to them it is worth their while, meaning you will need to demonstrate that your band can help fill the room! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Cryptopsy Posted February 12, 2009 Members Share Posted February 12, 2009 Try to get a hold of either the booking agent or production company Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members ThudMuffin Posted February 12, 2009 Members Share Posted February 12, 2009 We've had some success with venue booking managers. We'll have our CD and promo info on hand at the club, with the understanding that we are available for slots whenever someone might roll through town and need an opener. It's worked a few times with some larger national acts. The way it works (sofar as we can tell), is the club manager will give the band a heads up and a quick listen to a few bands, and the national act will pick one that sounds like the best fit. Although sometimes that "best fit" makes you wonder what's going on in that tour bus... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Bassjunkie99 Posted February 12, 2009 Author Members Share Posted February 12, 2009 Preciate the insight guys....seems like a combination of the two (contacting venue management / band management) may be the most effective, starting with getting approval from the venue. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Steve Nixon Posted February 14, 2009 Members Share Posted February 14, 2009 Don't forget that in larger shows with more money to be made there is almost always a promoter. Earlier in my career we got a lot of the quality opening gigs from the promoters directly. If they're the ones fronting the money they usually have a say as to who's on the bill. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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