How To Start Getting Gigs?

[theviewfromhere]

Me and two mates have been a 'band' for well over a year now, and have a good 35 or so songs written that we like. But we don't really know how to start getting gigs. All we've managed so far is for me and the bassist to play at an acoustic open mic thingy (where you get 3 songs each) at a pub.

So, what are the first steps to take to start getting 'proper' gigs?

:confused:

[red n black]

Put up posters, talk to people, play at school.

Just get out there and play:), and always tell people about your telephone number/homepage/whatever, just so they can book you.

BTW, what kinda music do you play???

[pitchfork]

Call round all the pubs, clubs and halls you can, leave your number and a demo with every single one, even if they say they don't do gigs they may in the future.
Your band manager should be doing all this, if you haven't got one, go and get one or decide on someone to be manager.

If all else fails, get a generator for the amps/ pa and go busking!

[Phototropic]

35 songs, thats impressive, I hope they're good!

The fact that you have a lot of material is a bonus :thumb:

Go to venues you know bands play at, speak to them, tell them they rocked even if they didn't, take an intrest...I guarantee if they're cool people they'll want to help you out

Good luck

Edit:

Can't believe I missed this

Record a good little demo with your best songs, then make a myspace page, upload your demo, go around everyones friend list stealing every bugger you can find, you'll be away in no time, its a genius invention for bands :thumb:

[pitchfork]

Myspace sucks, it makes a mockery of music, it means crap bands can get out there.
Come on theres all these **** emo bands and about 80% of myspace is made of emos, one says they like it and they all jump on the bandwagon, before you know it the band is ****ing touring.
Most wouldn't know musical quality if it jumped up and kneed them in the bollocks.

Makes less room for good quality music, ****ing internet, its evil.

/rant

Sorry I have a thing about myspace it makes me damn angry.

[cramboli]

I actually agree with Pitchfork... Even though I've got one Myspace is just a place where you put your band on there and the get all your friends to just get on and comment the hell out of your band page wether your good or not and then go around and just start adding people as friends until your like 1 million friends in and some labels like hey they have to get signed lets sign them and get rich quick of there lame *** music because over 1 million people listen to this crap... and so on... (but hell it doesn't hurt)

/even more ranting

[Phototropic]

You can avoid that, I see your point but I know a local music scene which is very strong and all the bands have myspaces with nothing to do with any emo / pop crap

Its all people they know etc, you don't have to add people if you dont want to, just keep it to people with similar intrests

:thumb:

[theviewfromhere]

Thanks for your replies, I'll try and address them all...

Put up posters, talk to people, play at school.

Just get out there and play, and always tell people about your telephone number/homepage/whatever, just so they can book you.

BTW, what kinda music do you play???
We don't go to school. And I'm not sure what kind of posters you mean... one that says 'we're a band please give us a gig'?

We play a variety of styles under the 'rock' genre really. Some progressive rock stuff with lots of distortion, some mainstream catchy stuff, we try and mix it up a bit.

Call round all the pubs, clubs and halls you can, leave your number and a demo with every single one, even if they say they don't do gigs they may in the future.
Your band manager should be doing all this, if you haven't got one, go and get one or decide on someone to be manager.

If all else fails, get a generator for the amps/ pa and go busking!
Don't have a clue how to go about getting a manager. Again, I'd like to emphasise that I'm/we're pretty clueless on this stuff.

35 songs, thats impressive, I hope they're good!

The fact that you have a lot of material is a bonus

Go to venues you know bands play at, speak to them, tell them they rocked even if they didn't, take an intrest...I guarantee if they're cool people they'll want to help you out

Good luck

Edit:

Can't believe I missed this

Record a good little demo with your best songs, then make a myspace page, upload your demo, go around everyones friend list stealing every bugger you can find, you'll be away in no time, its a genius invention for bands
I don't really know any local venues that have live music. Is there any kind of website that might have information like that?

And we have a myspace page, not many friends though. And the recordings on there are sh*t, because we did them at my house just using my computer + adobe audition. The vocals sound a tad pathetic because my microphone isn't great. http://www.myspace.com/airtrafficcontrolband

:)

[Sp4ceMonkey]

Myspace sucks, it makes a mockery of music, it means crap bands can get out there.
before you know it the band is ****ing touring.
Makes less room for good quality music, ****ing internet, its evil.


myspace sucks because it allows bands to expose themselves and be heard?
ok stalin

[pitchfork]

Call me old fashioned but I don't think the internet should be used to advertise music either.

As well as the fact most music on myspace sucks ***.

[theviewfromhere]

Call me old fashioned but I don't think the internet should be used to advertise music either.

As well as the fact most music on myspace sucks ***.
Well it's alright for what it is. Most bands just use it as a homepage if they can't be bothered/don't have the knowhow to make a proper website. I don't see the problem. It's not like it's single handedly revolutionising things - I don't think a lot of bands have got famous through a myspace page alone.

[GhostGrooveMike]

get a demo send it around

[cobert]

Get in contact with some local bands that arent total dicks, then ask them if you can get some shows with them. Soon enough, you should be able to get with other bands, who in turn, will just ask you. Thats how it s around here, at least. Then later, what the hell, set up your own show. Rent out a VFW hall and call your friends bands, then make flyers.

[El_Goodo]

Call me old fashioned but I don't think the internet should be used to advertise music either.

As well as the fact most music on myspace sucks ***.

You better not have any music on your computer, or you'll ruin your old fashioned image. Do you just listen to the radio to find new music? Because T.V. is the devil as well you know!

[sickstring]

I've actually just started getting my bands gigs after about 18 months (we've had a lot of delays). one thing you might want to do is get in touch with a promotions company to come listen to your stuff. then once they've got you some gigs (you probably won't make any money from them), you should make a phone book or in your email inbox make a contact list of all the venues you can find that you might play near you. then, call round each one asking about how to get a gig there and where to send them a demo to. then just take it from there. PS, make sure you book a fair time in advance so that neither of you is busy and you don't have to cancel your first few gigs, that's not a good image.

[pitchfork]

You better not have any music on your computer, or you'll ruin your old fashioned image. Do you just listen to the radio to find new music? Because T.V. is the devil as well you know!
Hey I didn't say anything about having music on a computer I just don't think the internet should be used ot advertise music.

Oh yeah and books give you eye cancer :lol:

[cisco]

Hey I didn't say anything about having music on a computer I just don't think the internet should be used ot advertise music.


While i would agree that your opinion is valid, it is only based on the majority of what you may have heard. I've heard some people that have made good songs and advertise it only through the I-net, so if they want to advertise it that way, then why not? Whats wrong with trying different methods of advertising? Some people live in an area where it's hard to catch other peoples attention, w/c is probably why they would use the i-net: a "bigger chance" - a chance at catching more people.

It doesn't matter how they advertise, as long as they're hot. :thumb:

[pitchfork]

True just I don't like the **** bands that advertise, they spoil it for the good ones if you see my point.

[Kenny_Fever]

You said that you did a few songs at an open mic thing at a pub? Well then they should probably remember you or something, so go back and talk to them. Just ask them if there's any opportunities for shows to play or anything like that.

[El_Goodo]

True just I don't like the **** bands that advertise, they spoil it for the good ones if you see my point.

So basically any band that you don't like should not be allowed to advertise their music? In any media format, especially through the internet.

[highway to hell]

sorry to hijack your thread but i didnt think it deserved a new one. What sort of venues could I play with my band as we are all under 16.

[Phototropic]

sorry to hijack your thread but i didnt think it deserved a new one. What sort of venues could I play with my band as we are all under 16.

How are we sposed to know what kinda places your town has

Go look around yourself, open mic nights, battle of the bands etc

[Jon]

Myspace, unless you suck.

You must know a load of promoters, venue owners, managers, and bigger bands that can get you slots =/

Or is that just me?

[theviewfromhere]

Myspace, unless you suck.

You must know a load of promoters, venue owners, managers, and bigger bands that can get you slots =/

Or is that just me?
We don't know anyone. We don't even know any bands or people that are in bands. We know nussing.

:confused:

[Yippee]

A good article:
Grassroots Music Marketing
Booking Gigs : The secrets no one tells you
by Bruce Prokopets
http://grassrootsmusic.blogspot.com/2006/05/booking-gigs-secrets-no-one-tells-you.html

This is a good read relating to booking gigs like a war strategy, a sort of "Art of War" theme. It includes a timeline (music goals), territories to conquer (music markets), a General delegating his tasks (to bandmates, friends, family, street teams), and training the troops (music merchandise).

[mullets suk]

the best way to get gigs i think is start up your own. get some other bands and start a back yard gig.

[burner]

i guess it depends what size city you live in, but this has worked reall well in the last few months for myself and the band im in

step one: go to local amature show

step two be: super fans, start pits, be memorable(stupid,loud, whatever), buy drinks(not just for you)

step three: talk to the bands, make friends, "who is the promoter?" follow pointed finger

step four:hand over a demo and demand show, or myspace link

step five: repeat at another show through a different promotions company

easy, no?

[pitchfork]

So basically any band that you don't like should not be allowed to advertise their music? In any media format, especially through the internet.
Thats exactly what i'm saying, I should own the earth, I am the all knowing messiah. :p

Crap bands should not be allowed to form. end of.
Bloody youngsters.

[killfile]

I was going to say Myspace, because it's a great way to get your band out. However, it's come to my attention that Myspace, a mechanism for getting bands attention, has been very sucessfully used by bands I do not like! Therefore I now hate it and think you should never use it because if it makes bands I don't like sucessful it will surely ruin your life, or something.

Oh wait, that's not me, that's Pitchfork and he's just an idiot. Never mind.

[mullets suk]

Ive found some really good local bands because of myspace, but then for every 1 good band i find i also find 20 craptastic ones.

step two be: super fans, start pits, be memorable(stupid,loud, whatever), buy drinks(not just for you)

try not to be TO obnoxious, that will only get people to hate you. Ive heard the buying drinks for bands is the best way to known

[slpntrx5]

not sure if anyone already said this (im being lazy and dont feel like looking), but find some other local bands and set up some shows with them. just ask around with people who are hosting parties and concerts and such and say, "do you guys need a/another band to play?" and also, just set up some yourself. it's pretty easy. jsut have a party and charge admission if you want to....that simple enough for ya? lol

[pitchfork]

Oh wait, that's not me, that's Pitchfork and he's just an idiot. Never mind.
Aww thankyou, that so sweet of you.

The road to being a full time band includes getting a manager, if you want to make enough money to live off you need someone to get in the gigs and manage the entire project.

[masada]

House shows.

[pitchfork]

sorry to hijack your thread but i didnt think it deserved a new one. What sort of venues could I play with my band as we are all under 16.
Ask around, come on you must know one or two clubs you and your buddies go to or something.

[mullets suk]

sorry to hijack your thread but i didnt think it deserved a new one. What sort of venues could I play with my band as we are all under 16.

i think most clubs are fine if the band is under 16. just ask, cause i know a freinds band whos all under 16 played a few +16 clubs.

[i am the robots]

Email, or walk into every venue in the surrounding region you can find and see if they're willing to set up a young band with a show... ask around and see if venues accept calls too, I know a few local venues in my area prefer walk in and email, and loathe call-ins (I know, lame).

[flea_slap_god]

hey you say that you don't know anywhere that has live music, but on your myspace it say's that you are from london?!?!?

london has the most live venues and pubs that have live music played in most of england!

just go out round london on a night and just go to all the pubs!

[cramboli]

Ive found some really good local bands because of myspace, but then for every 1 good band i find i also find 20 craptastic ones.



Well then email Tom with a list of all the crappy bands you don't like or suck and tell him to render their page uselessly crapfilled dumps loaded with ads galore and rambling bums... Yeah... Do it, see if he goes for it...

But don't forget to keep him updated because crap bands are on the rise and are popping up all over the web with there crappy music and intent to promote the hell out of their band any way possible...

The End...

[cadencethefire]

record a demo and talk to people at the places you want to play if anyone of importance comes up then give them the demo OR pay a booking agent to "sell" you to the venue. Usually what the venue will do is make you sell a certain ammount or "pay to play"

[pitchfork]

just go out round london on a night and just go to all the pubs!
Not all of the pubs, go to the non council estate/ rough area pubs.

[comptonassrobert]

Myspace sucks, it makes a mockery of music, it means crap bands can get out there.
Come on theres all these **** emo bands and about 80% of myspace is made of emos, one says they like it and they all jump on the bandwagon, before you know it the band is ****ing touring.
Most wouldn't know musical quality if it jumped up and kneed them in the bollocks.

Makes less room for good quality music, ****ing internet, its evil.

/rant

Sorry I have a thing about myspace it makes me damn angry.

Makes less room for good quality music? Are you stupid? If Myspace didn't find them, MTV would so get over it. Myspace is an amazing place to get your band name out there. That is where my band gets most of our gigs, messaging any and every band within 50 miles of us asking about if they want to get some shows going with us or if they have any spots left on shows they've already booked.

[kidthatplaysguitar91]

Myspace sucks, it makes a mockery of music, it means crap bands can get out there.
Come on theres all these **** emo bands and about 80% of myspace is made of emos, one says they like it and they all jump on the bandwagon, before you know it the band is ****ing touring.
Most wouldn't know musical quality if it jumped up and kneed them in the bollocks.

Makes less room for good quality music, ****ing internet, its evil.

/rant

Sorry I have a thing about myspace it makes me damn angry.


Stop trying to "rebel" against myspace.
Its a good thing, helps people get shows and helps people have a site so they dont have to pay to get one. I personally have a myspace and a website.
I use myspace to put recordings up and to find other people that play my type of music/ like my type of music. Its interesting to hear what some people say.

[pitchfork]

Myspace is for people too lazy to go out and get a frigging manager and for every good band you have on it there are 10000 **** bands counteracting it in a vicous conundrum of titanic proportions.
It's full of n00b emo kids too, you know, the complete and utter ****ing hipocrit ones.

Will I stop rebeling against myspace, follow the crowd and get brainwashed by a **** load of assholes? Will I fairycakes.

[Moseph]

Myspace is for people too lazy to go out and get a frigging manager and for every good band you have on it there are 10000 **** bands counteracting it in a vicous conundrum of titanic proportions.
It's full of n00b emo kids too, you know, the complete and utter ****ing hipocrit ones.

How is that any different than the real world, really? Every scene has crappy bands, lazy bands, and hoardes of bands all vying to get the most attention regardless of whether or not they are any good.

As for those emo kids (and shame on you for using "n00b" like it's a legitimate word), are you suggesting that they don't exist outside of myspace?

C'mon, dude. Come to your senses. Myspace is basically a microcosm (macrocosm?) of the outside world. Protesting it is pointless.

[kidthatplaysguitar91]

How is that any different than the real world, really? Every scene has crappy bands, lazy bands, and hoardes of bands all vying to get the most attention regardless of whether or not they are any good.

As for those emo kids (and shame on you for using "n00b" like it's a legitimate word), are you suggesting that they don't exist outside of myspace?

C'mon, dude. Come to your senses. Myspace is basically a microcosm (macrocosm?) of the outside world. Protesting it is pointless.


Yep.

[Afrokid]

the internet is your frined.. myspace / purevolume / theres another one but i forget. heh.. just anyway u can promote your music. advertise to friends and friends in other bands that could possibly hook u up. and to those people that say myspace is full of crappy emo music..who gives a ****! If ur out there with a band playing what u like who gives a flying **** if its emo , death metal, reggae, or indie...as long as your up there doing what you do best of luck to ya.

[comptonassrobert]

Myspace is for people too lazy to go out and get a frigging manager and for every good band you have on it there are 10000 **** bands counteracting it in a vicous conundrum of titanic proportions.
It's full of n00b emo kids too, you know, the complete and utter ****ing hipocrit ones.

Will I stop rebeling against myspace, follow the crowd and get brainwashed by a **** load of spatulas? Will I fairycakes.

LOL dude omg you are so punx it hurts, with your mohawk avatar and everything. They're the n00bs but you can't spell hypocrite? You must not have a lot of experiance, because 1.) not every starting band can just go out and find a good manager, they have to start somewhere. 2.) when you are just playing small local shows, having a manager is pointless and pretentious. Why don't you go rebel Rancid for being sellouts or some crap like that.

[Aus_rock_god]

Me and two mates have been a 'band' for well over a year now, and have a good 35 or so songs written that we like. But we don't really know how to start getting gigs. All we've managed so far is for me and the bassist to play at an acoustic open mic thingy (where you get 3 songs each) at a pub.

So, what are the first steps to take to start getting 'proper' gigs?

:confused:

A few words of wisdom:

1. It's not what you know, it's who you know. If you know any dudes from other bands ask them to hook you up.

2. DEMO. Record one, and write up a cover sheet and bio. A cover sheet is a basic rundown of who you are and what you do, with a picture or two and some contact details.

3. You generally won't get a gig at a pub or club unless you've had one before. If they do put you on straght away, expect a Tuesday or Wednesday slot.

4. Pubs and clubs don't care about how good you are, it's how many people you'll bring in and the kind of people you'll bring in. Drop you demo at every pub and club you can find, but if you play Jazz, don't expect a show at a goth nightclub.

5. Prepare to play for free. When you start, that's what you'll be getting.

6. Don't be afraid to book a venue, book a headliner and put on your own show.

[Aus_rock_god]

Myspace is for people too lazy to go out and get a frigging manager and for every good band you have on it there are 10000 **** bands counteracting it in a vicous conundrum of titanic proportions.
It's full of n00b emo kids too, you know, the complete and utter ****ing hipocrit ones.

Will I stop rebeling against myspace, follow the crowd and get brainwashed by a **** load of spatulas? Will I fairycakes.

If you're afraid of embracing networking technology, such as myspace, you're a damn fool.

[FatherKeeL]

6. Don't be afraid to book a venue, book a headliner and put on your own show.

now THAT is the way to do it... if you are smart at it you can even earn some money doing it.

find two other bands, rent a club for a night, make sure your advertising is right and that *everybody* knows that *everybody* will be there...

the third concert i ever played we did that and managed to earn 2600Euros doing it. (devided by 3 bands) but we where fraking lucky becouse some crazy millionaire decided to sponsor the whole thing :-p ... never happend again.


*

and about myspace ... i dunno. its basically a good thing, though i just cant be bothered about it since the most popular myspace bands where i come from sort of suck and i just dont even want to compete with them... so i do understand pitchforks attitude ...

still. internet is a great thing for marketing yourself.

FK

[Merkaba]

How is that any different than the real world, really? Every scene has crappy bands, lazy bands, and hoardes of bands all vying to get the most attention regardless of whether or not they are any good.

As for those emo kids (and shame on you for using "n00b" like it's a legitimate word), are you suggesting that they don't exist outside of myspace?

C'mon, dude. Come to your senses. Myspace is basically a microcosm (macrocosm?) of the outside world. Protesting it is pointless.
quoted for....well you know

[pitchfork]

LOL dude omg you are so punx it hurts, with your mohawk avatar and everything. They're the n00bs but you can't spell hypocrite? You must not have a lot of experiance, because 1.) not every starting band can just go out and find a good manager, they have to start somewhere. 2.) when you are just playing small local shows, having a manager is pointless and pretentious. Why don't you go rebel Rancid for being sellouts or some crap like that.
Yeah I like punk music among other genres, who gives a damn?
I like metal does that make me a metalhead? I like rock does that make me a hippy? I like american soul music does that make me a mod? Bollocks does it.

I don't label myself I just do whatever I feel like doing regardless of what social category I'm put it by a bunch of kids who I don't even know.

Oh yeah lets look, its spelt experience by the way OMGZ YOU CAN'T SPELL EXPERIENCE. I made a genuine mistake, did you? Who knows maybe you're just an ignorant asshole.

I have plenty of experience and I know that if you don't have a manager you have very little chances of ever becoming a pro band.
Which is what most kids don't understand, music is a business, making is a combination of luck, knowledge and talent.

By the way I don't like rancid, or a lot of the newer "punk" bands, oldschool punk is where its at. and if I like punk music and I have some of the values of stereotypical punks whats your problem?

I used to label myself but I don't anymore, I lost the hair and the clothes but i kept the beleifs as i'm sure you did/ will do as you grow up.

The statement still stands I believe myspace is ****e.

[cadencethefire]

Yeah I like punk music among other genres, who gives a damn?
I like metal does that make me a metalhead? I like rock does that make me a hippy? I like american soul music does that make me a mod? Bollocks does it.

I don't label myself I just do whatever I feel like doing regardless of what social category I'm put it by a bunch of kids who I don't even know.

Oh yeah lets look, its spelt experience by the way OMGZ YOU CAN'T SPELL EXPERIENCE. I made a genuine mistake, did you? Who knows maybe you're just an ignorant spatula.

I have plenty of experience and I know that if you don't have a manager you have very little chances of ever becoming a pro band.
Which is what most kids don't understand, music is a business, making is a combination of luck, knowledge and talent.

By the way I don't like rancid, or a lot of the newer "punk" bands, oldschool punk is where its at. and if I like punk music and I have some of the values of stereotypical punks whats your problem?

I used to label myself but I don't anymore, I lost the hair and the clothes but i kept the beleifs as i'm sure you did/ will do as you grow up.

The statement still stands I believe myspace is ****e.

look, you obviously don't use myspace for your band otherwise you'd unsderstand what everyone is talking about. My band gets at least one message a week from some kind of booking agency or CLUB asking if we can play. We're not ready though since we're still looking for a replacement singer :(

All in all man, this thread was asking how to get gigs and saying myspace isn't good for that isn't helping. There is a lot of crap that comes with myspace the bottom line is it helps.

[pitchfork]

I would rather not take **** which is why I wouldn't use myspace along with other reasons but whatever floats your boat.

[Aus_rock_god]

Yeah I like punk music among other genres, who gives a damn?
I like metal does that make me a metalhead? I like rock does that make me a hippy? I like american soul music does that make me a mod? Bollocks does it.

I don't label myself I just do whatever I feel like doing regardless of what social category I'm put it by a bunch of kids who I don't even know.

Oh yeah lets look, its spelt experience by the way OMGZ YOU CAN'T SPELL EXPERIENCE. I made a genuine mistake, did you? Who knows maybe you're just an ignorant spatula.

I have plenty of experience and I know that if you don't have a manager you have very little chances of ever becoming a pro band.
Which is what most kids don't understand, music is a business, making is a combination of luck, knowledge and talent.

By the way I don't like rancid, or a lot of the newer "punk" bands, oldschool punk is where its at. and if I like punk music and I have some of the values of stereotypical punks whats your problem?

I used to label myself but I don't anymore, I lost the hair and the clothes but i kept the beleifs as i'm sure you did/ will do as you grow up.

The statement still stands I believe myspace is ****e.

I agree pretty much with everything you've said, except for those two statements.

You don't need a manager to make it. As a matter of fact, I'd say any band who see getting a manager as their key to success as damn fools. You can get away with having one of the playing members of the band running the bulk of the management side for a long time before needing a manager.

Personally I perfer to have my band managing itself, just because we're all perfectly capable of taking care of the buisiness side of things and we honestly don't need one yet.

You don't need a manager until you're got 2-3 gigs a week and can't keep practice and songwriting up because of all the organising and paperwork you have to do.

Getting a manager doesn't get you gigs. Getting a manager makes your life easier. Trust me, playing good music and having a strong fan base, THAT'S what gets you gigs.


As with Myspace. I'm a promoter as well as a musician. Most of the bands I find and put in my shows are through myspace.

[pitchfork]

I dunno we have managers and both my bands are doing quite well, they aren't official managers just more guys with lots of contacts who take commision of the gigs they find us and look at what people are saying and suggest how to adjust our playing and set list.

Tell you what we shall pretend this never happened, sound like a sensible thing to do?
I'll stop flaming you all stop glorifying myspace and we'll all get along fine and dandy.

Still like I say, go round all the bars and clubs and pubs and churches and community halls and ask about playing a set some time. If it works for us why wouldn't it work for you.