The Gig Is Up – Get Those Gigs
Posted On November 27, 2021
It’s time for your musical dreams to come true: performing live on stage in front of masses of screaming fans … or at least in a room full of people listening to your creations. Although the end goal is a high-paying job, an artist or band just starting out may have to grab some gifts. Consider them an experience. Use this list as a starter on how to get gigs, a checklist of the basics, and an idea to get started.
The preparation:
- Talent – Know your style, be solid on your performance skills before taking on too big a job
- All bandmates know their responsibilities
- Calendar: create your timeline
- Internet: online presence, class announcements, forums, press, make friends with other bands
- Networking: attend shows of other bands and get to know them, create critical allies, elbow
- Press dossier: with contact information, web address
- Demo tape / CD with your top 3 songs
- Extensively tested
- Decent equipment, with backups and spare parts
- Reliable transportation for the belt and ALL equipment
- Funds: who handles your gang’s finances, food, gas, places to stay
- Booking agency or administrator to obtain bookings, when affordable and to investigate thoroughly
- Sound technician
- Playlist: well-formed, great flow, more than enough for the time allowed, minimal pause between songs
The places:
- Fundraising, charities, benefits
- Festivals, fairs, free concert halls in town, trade shows
- Music contests, composition contests
- Battle of the Bands
- Clubs, bars, pubs: karaoke, open mic night
- Weddings, special occasions, private functions, parties.
- Country clubs, cruises
- Restaurants, cafes, coffee shops, bookstores
- Schools, churches, universities
- House concert
- Improvisation sessions
- Online video
- Concert exchange with other bands of similar style: one band opens the show, the other closes
Get the gig:
- The attitude should be “how can we help each other”
- Understand what is expected of you – assume nothing, including food and drink
- Make sure the place has a good reputation for being fair.
- Be prepared if you need to audition live during the less busy hours of a club.
- Venue, space, sound specifications
- Keep your word, generate respect, do what you say you will do
- Get it in writing, contract
- You know it’s up to you to promote your concert, right?
The promotion:
- Word of mouth with enthusiasm!
- Brochures, posters – get the necessary permit (e.g. parking lots)
- Street teams, fan clubs
- Internet Marketing: Artistopia events, email, ezines, newsletters, class announcements, blogs, concert calendars, mailing lists (online / offline)
- Call ALL your friends, family, co-workers, schoolmates
- Press releases to any available medium
- Newspaper, radio, local concert guides
- Bulletin boards, music stores, record stores
- Go where your particular style of fan would hang out or work – do your market research
- Exchange the promotion with local shops, restaurants, think of a great idea
- The number of heads through the door is the most important factor for a new reservation.
At work:
- A gig is a job, so the same rules apply: be on time, don’t take too many breaks, be prepared to do your best, and be professional at all times. The reputation you create will follow.
- Sound test, balance, volume levels.
- Make sure the audience knows the name of your band.
- A good catchy opening line
- Be adaptable to your environment, have a sense of humor
- A musician under the influence of drugs or alcohol is a recipe for disaster
- Merchandise for sale: CDs, t-shirts, stickers … prizes at the door
- Ask someone to take good photos (video) to add to your photo albums later, and chat with your fans! Get fan names to add to your online photo narrative.
- Collect emails, hand out business cards, promote the next concert, get referrals
- Something is likely to go wrong, think about typical disasters and try to be prepared
- Have fun because you are doing what you love to do!
Monitoring:
- Let everyone know that you had a great time and appreciate that they came to see it and thank the operators and staff there.
- If you have a band following you, be courteous and move your gear as quickly as possible
- Have Your Pre-Designated Money Raiser Do Their Work
- Drop the rock star attitude, don’t put on a big head
- Respect the people around you and don’t burn any bridges.
- Learn from every experience
- Add any upcoming follow-up gigs or press releases to your Artistopia profile. Show the world what you are!