Members Stranglehold Posted July 10, 2008 Members Posted July 10, 2008 Hey. I've never played a real gig before, and my band is gonna be ready to gig in a few months. How might we go about getting one?
Members Argonaut Posted July 10, 2008 Members Posted July 10, 2008 You'll need a good demo with more than just one song. A myspace page is pretty much required for quick reference. You'll probably want to put together a press kit with your demo, pictures, maybe a set list and some bs cover letter about what nice guys you are.
Members Argonaut Posted July 10, 2008 Members Posted July 10, 2008 And then go to clubs and ask to speak to the manager or person in charge of live music and entertainment and try to convince them that you are a good band and that your music will suit the venue. If your not 21 you can't play where alcohol is served, fact of life. Be prepared to be turned down by everybody three times - its hard to book a gig.
Members prsisbest Posted July 11, 2008 Members Posted July 11, 2008 Open for as many bands in as many places as you can. Do good, and the shows will come to you. There is no better way to promote yourself than performing live.
Members YeahDoIt Posted July 11, 2008 Members Posted July 11, 2008 You might bang on doors or send a letter to college Fraternity houses. Include sample recordings if you have any. Invite them to hear your band practice. Fraternities often throw parties. I think of a band as a business. How do businesses get customers? It might help to get business cards for your band and pass them around, put them on bulletin boards. Somebody might throw a party and want a band. You might include a link to your band website on the card so people can hear what the band sounds like.
Members Drew5887 Posted July 11, 2008 Members Posted July 11, 2008 this might be a given, but just make sure that the band is really tight and that the mix is spot on whenever you do play. No ten minute free-form jam sessions for the first few gigs at least.
Members benagain Posted July 11, 2008 Members Posted July 11, 2008 pick up a benefit slot .. do an hour for free .. to get some exposure .. many times at a benefit weve been asked to do a paying gig.. plus benefits are good for karma ..
Members germs Posted July 11, 2008 Members Posted July 11, 2008 Beg, borrow, and steal. Play as many all ages shows as you can. Open for ANYONE!Don't be afraid to jump on the bill (if asked).Have your myspace ready for reference if you don't have a demo yet.Make friends with other bands.Prepare yourself to deal with rejection - it happens to everyone all the time.Play ANYWHERE.Put in face time at venues you want to play. Be seen! ABOVE ALL ELSE:Never play for free!
Members altotap Posted July 11, 2008 Members Posted July 11, 2008 ha, I've never played for money! I'm not the killer, go getting type but i've played shows out and about infrequently. most of the advice here is right.. One thing that no one has mentioned is that open-mics can be good - I have one or be twice been asked to do a show after playing an open-mic but often times the people running them are promoters for other shows or venues so speaking to them and having the benifit of them seeing you can get you shows as well.I'm not very good at getting shows so it can be done even if you're not that confident. One thing I would say though - is make sure you do it on your own terms. Like make whoever is giving you the gig totally aware of exactly what your act is. If they don't agree with it - don't bother. I've had some very terrible shows when I've had to compromise.. Never want to play a show like that again!
Members richardmac Posted July 13, 2008 Members Posted July 13, 2008 Definitely be what you are. That's very good advice. Know who and what you are and do, and book gigs that match. I am a solo singer/singerwriter who plays adult contemporary pop/rock. I'm a good match for almost any coffee house, but I'd be a bad match for a bar that normally has hard rock/metal bands.
Members Grissom Posted July 13, 2008 Members Posted July 13, 2008 I've been going to open mics and networking with everyone that plays. Say hello, please, and thank you. Just make your voice heard and be very clear about what you're looking for.
Members GuitarNoobie Posted July 16, 2008 Members Posted July 16, 2008 it also helps if you have friends that work at some bars, especially some that actually do the hiring... i know the guy that eventually hired us. he's been a bartender to me over the last 9 months. i've become friends with the guy, even sold him a guitar... and for exposure (5 out of 6 of us had never gigged), we played there on a night they don't normally have live music and we played for free... we only did a total of 27 songs, but we brought out a huge crowd and everyone had a blast. we have since played a private block party for free (the drummers neighbors) and the live setting was good practice for us. and now we are booked for a Saturday night at the bar we played at for free... so for us it was knowing somebody, playing for free to get exposure and then getting paid. and believe it or not we already have a following. we can consistently count on 40-50 friends/family of the band come out when we play. at least at this point. i am sure that may die down, but in meantime we are getting new fans. in fact, we have about 10 people from the block party that promised to come see us at our next gig. it's about networking and getting lucky
Members freetime Posted July 16, 2008 Members Posted July 16, 2008 I once saw a band play 5 songs at a frat party and get paid $250
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.