An Intro on How to Get Gigs |
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September 19th, 2007 | Band Leadership |
To learn how to convince a venue to give you a gig, you have to first understand why a venue has live music in the first place.
Most venues are bars or nightclubs where patrons come to socialize. In business terms, these are places where people come to socialize, sometimes paying a cover charge and hopefully lots of alcohol $$$. This type of venue makes up the majority of venue-types in most major cities.
Other venues for live music may be 'free' sources, where revenue is not a factor or required by selling booze (underage patrons). This would be a YMCA, or other youth-groups, a rented gym, somebody's basement, school lock-ins, city-park, etc... Some would say that these venues are 'easier' to get into, and they are correct. In many cases these venues are just looking to populate their area with people so their 'event' is considered a success by some other judge than the money-collector - so they choose a live band as entertainment. Of course raising money is important for them too. Ask around your school for these types of places.
1) Be Professional:
Back to getting gigs at bars...you have to understand that you are a risk. The venue is a business so you must assume a business attitude when approaching them. Speak their language. The venue is primarily interested in several things, listed by importance: 1) How many people Guaranteed will come 2) If those people are old enough to buy alcohol 3) If your music matches the musical interest of the bar's typical patron 4) What venues you've played at before. If you fail to prove that you can offer these things in your "approach", then you will most likely not get the gig.
2) Prepare a Nice Press Kit:
Suppose you have never played anywhere before and you are looking to score a gig at a local bar where similar bands have played. Realize that the club booker has many many bands to choose from - why should he put your band on the bill as opposed to some other band?
In order to get a gig at a venue, you must submit a professional 'demo kit' or ideally, 'press kit' a few weeks before you actually approach them for a gig (call or visit). Since you probably don't have press articles to show, screw it for now - you don't need them. You just have to prove that you are 1) professional 2) interested in making the venue money 3) capable of bringing in thirsty fans. A nice press kit can accomplish this.
3) Think Beyond the Demo CD:
Professional Demo CDs are essential for getting gigs at bars. But if you think that your amazing track #3 is going to blow the booker away and he'll instantly pen you for a Saturday night, you're dead wrong. The truth about your demo is - it is just a backup quality/reputation check, not a dealmaker. It is just another symbol of your 'value' as a band. (a valuable band = money for the venue = the booker doesn't get fired.) What else is considered?
Local Press Clippings: For starting bands, a booker most likely has never heard of your band. In order for him to have heard of your band, you would probably have needed to score some decent local press - in which case you probably wouldn't be reading a How To Get Gigs 101 article right now. Although this is the best way to impress a booker, press isn't essential for getting gigs.
Professional Approach and Persistence: Get the name of the person who does the bookings at the club. Find out what day/time they are going to be there. Mail in your demo kit/press kit and wait 3 weeks. Now what?
4) Be Persistant:
Now you have to approach them. They will not call you up. There is Art in the 'chase' to score the gig. It all revolves around the concept of Professional Presentation at every angle. You must be excellent on the phone. You must have a powerful voice that just oozes out confidence and value. If you are uncomfortable 'getting your way' with people on the phone and often buckle under more powerful speakers, FIND SOMEBODY ELSE TO CALL THE CLUBS. The speaker must convey that this band is legitimate, serious, determined, experienced, aware of 'the business'...
In all my experience with bookers, I have found they all share a very similar characteristic: they are FAST - they talk fast, think fast, and hang up even FASTER. Know what you are going to say before you call. If you've done the work already (put together a professional demo kit, addressed the package to the attention of the booker, included a quality demo CD and perhaps a quick cover letter) the booker should be somewhat 'happy' to speak with you on the phone. This is rare...the booker usually will scurry to remember what band you are speaking of and where he threw your stuff. Be patient but firm.
Conclusion:
Recall why the venue is in business - to make MONEY. What do you have to offer that will help them reach this goal? Keep this always in the back of your mind when dealing with music business folk. Any Questions?
